Skip to main content
HomeDrug Comparisons
Drug bottle and Pill

Compare Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) and clonidine (Catapres, Nexiclon XR) are both used to treat high blood pressure, but they belong to different medication classes and have distinct uses and side effects. Metoprolol is a beta blocker that also treats chest pain and lowers the risk of death after a heart attack. It is typically taken twice daily with food. Common side effects include dizziness and tiredness. Clonidine, an alpha agonist, can be taken as a tablet or used as a skin patch and is not usually a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure due to the risk of rebound hypertension if stopped suddenly. It can cause dry mouth, drowsiness, and dizziness. Clonidine is also not recommended for older adults because it increases the risk of falls. BOth medications are available in both generic and brand-name forms. Both medications require careful monitoring and should not be stopped abruptly without consulting a healthcare provider.

  • Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)
    Clonidine
  • Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor)
    Clonidine

  • Summary of Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

    Summary for Beta blocker
    Prescription only

    Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) is used to treat chest pain and high blood pressure. It's also used to lower the risk of death after a heart attack. This medication is taken by mouth, typically twice daily, though your dosage depends on what condition you have. Some side effects of metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) include dizziness or tiredness. Metoprolol tartrate (Lopressor) is available as a brand name and generic tablet.

    Summary for Alpha agonist
    Prescription only

    Clonidine is a prescription medication that can be used to treat high blood pressure. It comes in 3 forms: topical patch, immediate-release tablet, and extended-release tablet. Clonidine usually isn't a first-choice option to treat high blood pressure because it can cause "rebound hypertension" (sudden rise in blood pressure) when the medication is suddenly stopped. Clonidine also isn't recommended for older adults since it can raise the risk for falls.

  • Indications of Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

    Indications for
    •High blood pressure
    •Chest pain (angina)
    •Lower risk of death after heart attack
    Indications for
    •High blood pressure

  • Pros and Cons of Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

    Pros and Const for Beta blocker
    Pros
    •First choice treatment to prevent chest pain (angina)
    •First choice treatment for people who've had a heart attack because it lowers the risk of death
    •A possible option for mothers who are breastfeeding
    •Less likely to cause breathing problems than with other beta blockers
    •Available as a lower-cost generic version
    Cons
    •Need to take with food
    •Need to take more than once a day
    •Not a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure, unless you have heart failure or heart disease
    •Can hide symptoms of low blood sugar
    •Stopping too suddenly can raise the risk of heart attack and stroke
    Pros and Const for Alpha agonist
    Pros
    •Can be take along with other other blood pressure medications to help manage blood pressure
    •Available in a once-weekly patch for people who can't take medicine by mouth
    •Immediate-release tablets and patches available as lower-cost generics
    Cons
    •Taking it with alcohol can cause excessive sleepiness
    •Can raise the risk for falls in older adults
    •Can cause dangerously high blood pressure if stopped too suddenly or if a dose is missed

  • Common Side Effects of Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

    Common Side Effects for
    •Tiredness (10%)
    •Dizziness (10%)
    •Diarrhea (5%)
    •Rash (5%)
    •Depression (5%)
    Common Side Effects for

    The following side effects are those reported with immediate-release clonidine:

    •Dry mouth (40%)
    •Drowsiness (33%)
    •Dizziness (16%)
    •Constipation (10%)
    •Feeling low energy (10%)

    Please note: Side effects for Nexiclon XR are similar to that of immediate-release clonidine

    The following side effects are those reported with clonidine patch:

    •Itchy rash (26%)
    •Dry mouth (25%)
    •Drowsiness (12%)
    •Blisters (7%)
    •Feeling tired (6%)
    •Headache (5%)
    •Skin becomes darker (5%)

  • Warnings of Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

    Common Side Effects for
    •Worsening chest pain and heart attacks
    •Heart failure
    •Slow heart rate
    •Hiding symptoms of low blood sugar
    •Hiding symptoms of overactive thyroid
    •Greater risk during surgery
    •Risk of difficulty breathing
    Common Side Effects for
    •Withdrawal
    •Sleepiness and dizziness
    •Heart problem
    •Skin reactions (clonidine patches)

  • Prices with our coupons for Lopressor vs. Catapres-TTS

    Learn more about Metoprolol tartrate
    Learn more about Clonidine

Compare other Hypertension drugs

Betapace vs LopressorCardizem vs LopressorEnalapril vs LopressorFelodipine vs LopressorLopressor vs AtenololLopressor vs BenazeprilLopressor vs BisoprololLopressor vs BystolicLopressor vs CatapresLopressor vs CoregLopressor vs DutoprolLopressor vs PrazosinLopressor vs TenoreticLopressor vs ZiacNifedipine vs LopressorToprol Xl vs LopressorZestoretic vs LopressorZiac vs Lopressor HctEnalapril vs Toprol XlHydrochlorothiazide vs ZiacTenoretic vs ZiacToprol Xl vs AtenololToprol Xl vs BetapaceToprol Xl vs BisoprololToprol Xl vs BystolicToprol Xl vs CatapresToprol Xl vs CoregZiac vs DutoprolZiac vs ExforgeZiac vs Hyzaar
View More

Browse medications

View All

Research prescriptions and over-the-counter medications from A to Z, compare drug prices, and start saving.