Clonidine patch

[gfox42]

I'm wondering whether others have had experience with rashes in response to the clonidine patch?

I'm on a 0.2 mg/day patch, and have been for a couple of months.

I have a fairly intense rash, localized to the site of last week’s patch. I poked around on the web a bit, and what I can see so far is that (a) this is really common, (b) there are mentions that it can sometimes lead to a general inability to tolerate clonidine, and (c) there are a few mentions of “pre-treating” with hydrocortisone – which I assume means rubbing some hydrocortisone cream onto the site before applying the patch.

Does anyone know any more about the topic?

Gordon

[mbcube]

Gordon - I'm not aware of this, but I'm wondering. I tend to develop a site rash ANYTIME i wear an adhesive, be it a band-aid, patch, or dressing over a long period. No problem for a couple of three days, but anything longer and it becomes a problem.
Is this patch applied weekly? daily? perhaps switching a daily type and change the location?

[LindaSo]

If I don't switch sites for my EKG leads daily (only when being monitored, obviously), I have a mess on my hands. I am more sensitive on the skin which never sees the light of day. My MD's have treated this in the past with hydrocortisone cream. So, for me, I am more than diligent with changing the leads. When I am not capable of requesting this change, then we clean up with hydrcortisone.

Gordon, I think you are stuck with a weekly application, since your patch is a slowly absorbed medication patch. But I'd surely have a tube of hydrocortisone cream around for after you change sites.
L

[Midge Rollins]

Gordon, I have been on the patch for 6 years and if I put it on my shoulder changing spots weekly, I have no problems but if I want to put on my chest if I am wearing something sleeveless and do not want all the questions I do react to the patch. A couple of my guy transplant friends have had the same issues so we try to leave it on the tough shoulder skin. Remind me to tell you a funny story about the patch post transplant.

[gfox42]

Thanks for the input. I may also make a bit more use of the razor . . . they tell you to put it on a hairless area, but I don't have many of those naturally. (They also tell you not to shave, but I suspect the concern is skin irritation -- which can easily be minimized).

Gordon

[hocmdoug]

Not to wander to far afield here, but a patch? Interesting. My Dr. is talking about possibly adding Clonidine. I didn't know there was a patch option. Any advantages to the patch?

[BrooksK]

Hmmm, I take clonidine orally, but I, too, have sensitivity to most adhesives. Is this something that is very common with HCMers?

About 6 weeks ago I had a follow-up at CCF with an echo and a holter monitor. While I repeatedly said I was allergic to the adhesive, they used the "standard" patches/leads. I had a rash for four weeks after the test.

More recently, I had a prostatectomy, and, again, after repeatedly telling everyone of the allergic reaction, people typically used whatever tape was the "norm" -- two weeks after surgery, the rash/blisters from the tape (now long gone) are healing more slowly than the incisions.

Sorry to go on about that but is skin sensitivity another one of those weird symptoms/conditions commonly associated with HCM? An for those who have had a myectomy, do the hospitals ever do anything different that the standard adhesives in the recovery stage?

[Cynaburst]

I also have very sensitive skin, as did my dad. We both would get rashes from regular adhesives. I doubt that it is directly related to HCM. Just a coincidence.