Catapres Transdermal Therapeutic System (TTS) for Long-Term Treatment of Hypertension

Short-term studies have shown that the clonidine transdermal therapeutic system (Catapres-TTS) is an effective and safe therapy for treatment of mild to moderate hypertension. Frequency and intensity of systemic side-effects appeared to be less than those experienced during conventional oral antihypertensive treatment. Local skin reactions reported during short-term TTS treatment were mainly periods of itching and erythema at the TTS site. Skin reactions usually disappeared within two days of removal of the patch. Several patients developed an allergic skin reaction of the delayed type (type IV). Data on long-term treatment with Catapres-TTS are necessary to establish the value of this new therapeutic approach in essential hypertension. The aim of this study was to evaluate efficacy and safety of Catapres-TTS, during a period of treatment of one year in maintaining control of raised blood pressure in mild to moderate hypertensive patients who have been controlled on oral clonidine (Catapres) and a diuretic.