CATAPRES vs METHYLDOPA

Independent side-by-side comparison.

Rated against independent regulatory sources·Last updated August 19, 2026·How we rate

Possible drug interaction. CATAPRES and METHYLDOPA are different prescription medicines. Combining or switching between them can cause interactions — talk to a pharmacist or prescriber before making changes. This page is not medical advice.

Attribute	CATAPRES	METHYLDOPA
Rating	72/100	70/100
Pharmacy pays	~$1.05 /30	~$225.00 /30
Type	RX	RX
Active ingredient	CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE	METHYLDOPA
Manufacturer	Boehringer Ingelheim	Heritage Pharma
Dosage forms	Tablet	Tablet
Drug class	Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist	Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist
Boxed warning	None	None
Half-life	about 12 to 16 hours	about 105 minutes (roughly 1.75 hours)
Treats	Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea	Hypertension

catapres methyldopa

Rating

72/100

70/100

Pharmacy pays

~$1.05 /30

~$225.00 /30

Type

Active ingredient

CLONIDINE HYDROCHLORIDE

METHYLDOPA

Manufacturer

Boehringer Ingelheim

Heritage Pharma

Dosage forms

Tablet

Drug class

Central Alpha-2 Adrenergic Agonist

Boxed warning

None

Half-life

about 12 to 16 hours

about 105 minutes (roughly 1.75 hours)

Treats

Attention Deficit Disorder with Hyperactivity, Diarrhea, Dysmenorrhea

Hypertension

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Frequently asked questions

Which is better-rated, Catapres or Methyldopa?

By our independent rating, Catapres scores higher — 3.6 vs 3.5 out of 5 for Methyldopa. Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data.

Which is cheaper, Catapres or Methyldopa?

Catapres costs pharmacies less to acquire — about $1.05 vs $225.00 for a 30-count supply, per the CMS NADAC survey. That gap is in the pharmacy's cost of goods, not necessarily in what you pay: your price is set afterwards by your insurer and the pharmacy.

What is the difference between Catapres and Methyldopa?

Catapres contains Clonidine Hydrochloride, while Methyldopa contains Methyldopa — they have different active ingredients.

Ratings are based on FDA regulatory (recall-safety) data. This comparison is for general reference only — not medical advice. Always consult a licensed professional before choosing or switching a medication.