Is Toprol the same as clondine? or patch - Addiction & Recovery Message Board

Edie · 10-01-2003, 09:24 PM

I have some Toprol my doc gave me for my mitral valve prolapse. I hardly ever take it as I rarely have symptons. I remember him telling me it would lowered my blood pressure, isn't this what the catapress patch and the clondine (?sp) pill do.
edie

Mo7609 · 10-02-2003, 09:55 AM

Edie,
All three of those are to control high blood pressure. Some of them have other benifits too like the catapres patch can be used for withdrawl from alcohol benzos migraines and a few other things. Mo

Oldtimer · 10-02-2003, 10:45 AM

Edie,
As far as I've read, Toprol is and medication used for blood pressure and heart conditions such as angina--it's a selective "beta-blocker". I don't believe that it's useful for detox. Clonidine is the generic name for catapres. It comes in both pill and patch form and I think it's basically to control blood pressure only. It's the clonodine (catapres) that's used very successfully (in conjuction with some other meds) in drug and alcohol detox.
It kind of lowers your blood pressure so that it zonks you to the point where the horrible withdrawal jitters are alleviated. I used it once and it worked. Linda

Edie · 10-02-2003, 07:06 PM

thanks for the info. when you say "zonk" does the patch knock you out? can you function and work on it?

Oldtimer · 10-03-2003, 10:08 AM

Edie,
First of all, I did it about 10 years ago and I was taking clonidine pills, they didn't have the patch then. I took whatever the Dr. prescrbed and, though a bit sluggish, I had no problem with my daily acitivities. Today they use the patch for detox because of it's sustained release formulation. I think it would all depend on the dosage for you and the way in which your own body reacts (everyone is different). I like the idea of short acting meds because they can be easily and quickly adjusted.
So to sum it up, I went about my daily routine ok but some say they have an enormous amount of fatigue. I'm sorry I couldn't be more helpful but this on is so subjective.........Linda

[This message has been edited by Oldtimer (edited 10-03-2003).]