Clonidine transdermal therapeutic system (CATAPRES-TTS) patches often do not include the name or strength of the drug on the patch itself, which can lead to errors if the dose of a patch is changed, or if the patient requires multiple patches, according to the Institute for Safe Medication Practices (ISMP). Patches can be worn for a week at a time, and numerous caregivers can interact with a patient during that time. Upon visualization, those caregivers cannot determine the drug or dose, or even whether it's a medication patch or some sort of adhesive bandage. A nurse therefore can receive a new order for a patch or oral dose of clonidine and not realize the patient is already wearing a clonidine patch. The manufacturer suggests labeling the patch cover and placing it over the patch. Each patch also includes a code: BI 33 means it's a 0.3 mg patch, BI 32 is 0.2 mg, and BI 31 is 0.1 mg. ISMP suggests you ask the pharmacy to add the code to the drug profile in its computer so it appears on computer-generated medication records for reference.

Anonymous patches (2008). Nurse Advise-ERR, 6(5), 3.