nadolol Oral

Nadolol is used alone or with other medications to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and to prevent chest pain (angina). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. In the management of chest pain, nadolol may also help to reduce the frequency of chest pain episodes and improve your ability to exercise.
Nadolol belongs to a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by blocking the action of certain natural substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine) on the heart and blood vessels. This results in a lowering of heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart.
OTHER USES: This section contains uses of this drug that are not listed in the approved professional labeling for the drug but that may be prescribed by your health care professional. Use this drug for a condition that is listed in this section only if it has been so prescribed by your health care professional.
This drug may also be used to protect the heart after a heart attack, treat irregular heartbeat (e.g., atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter), and prevent migraine headaches. Your doctor may also use this medication to treat other conditions.

How to use nadolol Oral
See also the Warning section.
Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily or as directed by your doctor. Your dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. This medication treats, but does not cure, high blood pressure. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Your dose may need to be gradually decreased.
Inform your doctor if your condition persists or worsens (e.g., routine blood pressure readings increase).

Dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, and cough may occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.
Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.
This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid tobacco use.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of the following unlikely but serious side effects occur: bluish color of the fingers/toes/nails, hair loss (reversible), mental/mood changes (e.g., depression, confusion, memory problems), numbness/tingling, decreased sexual ability, swelling of the ankles/feet, severe tiredness, vision changes, wheezing, unexplained/sudden weight gain.
Seek immediate medical attention if any of these unlikely but very serious side effects occur: chest pain, jaw/left arm pain, slow/irregular/fast heartbeat, severe dizziness/fainting.
A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is unlikely, but seek immediate medical attention if it occurs. Symptoms of a serious allergic reaction may include: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.
This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
In the US -
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking nadolol, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to it; or to other beta blockers (e.g., atenolol, propranolol); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.
This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: very slow heartbeat (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), a certain serious heart condition (cardiogenic shock), uncontrolled severe heart failure, asthma.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: severe allergic reactions (e.g., anaphylaxis), breathing problems (e.g., COPD, emphysema), blood circulation problems (e.g., Raynaud\'s disease), low blood flow to the heart/brain (coronary artery disease, stroke, transient ischemic attack), diabetes, heart problems (e.g., heart failure, heart attack, valve problems), kidney disease, mental/mood disorders (e.g., depression), muscle problems (e.g., myasthenia gravis), certain skin conditions (atopy, psoriasis), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), certain types of tumor (pheochromocytoma).
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do any activity that requires alertness until you are sure you can perform such activities safely. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To minimize dizziness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
This drug may infrequently make your blood sugar level rise, causing or worsening diabetes. Tell your doctor immediately if you develop symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst or urination.
If you already have diabetes, be sure to check your blood sugar regularly. This medication may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat, nervousness and shakiness you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar such as hunger, dizziness and sweating are unaffected by this drug.
Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at a greater risk for side effects such as dizziness while using this drug.
This medication should be used only when clearly needed during pregnancy. If used near the time of delivery, the newborn may have problems such as slow heart rate or low blood sugar. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice a slow heart rate or signs of low blood sugar (e.g., shakiness, sweating) in your newborn. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.
This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Your healthcare professionals (e.g., doctor or pharmacist) may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for it. Do not start, stop or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.
This drug should not be used with the following medication because a very serious interaction may occur: arbutamine.
If you are currently using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting nadolol.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alpha blockers (e.g., prazosin), other beta blockers (e.g., atenolol), bronchodilators (e.g., albuterol, theophylline), calcium channel blockers (e.g., diltiazem, verapamil), clonidine, epinephrine, fenoldopam, fingolimod, methyldopa, nasal decongestants (e.g., phenylephrine, pseudoephedrine), neuromuscular blocking agents (e.g., tubocurarine), reserpine, \"water pills\" (e.g., diuretics such as furosemide).
Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you also take drugs that cause drowsiness such as: certain antihistamines (e.g., diphenhydramine), anti-seizure drugs (e.g., carbamazepine), medicine for sleep or anxiety (e.g., alprazolam, diazepam, zolpidem), muscle relaxants, narcotic pain relievers (e.g., codeine), psychiatric medicines (e.g., chlorpromazine, risperidone, amitriptyline, trazodone).
Check the labels on all your medicines (such as cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen, naproxen) because they may contain ingredients that could cause drowsiness or increase your heart rate or blood pressure. Ask your pharmacist for more details.
This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include: very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness/fainting, loss of consciousness, severe weakness, shortness of breath.

NOTES:
Do not share this medication with others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes may increase the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., blood pressure, kidney function tests) should be performed periodically to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.
Have your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking this medication. It may be best to learn how to monitor your own blood pressure and pulse.

MISSED DOSE:
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not double the dose to catch up.

STORAGE:
Store at room temperature at 77 degrees F (25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.
Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854- 1166 (USA) or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Information last revised August 2012. Copyright(c) 2012 First Databank, Inc.