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IPMORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional.
It shuold not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Conuslt your healthcare professional before using this drug.
PROPRANOLOL S.R. - ORAL
(pro-PRAN-oh-lol)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Betachron, Inderal LA
WARNING: If you have chest pain (angina) or have heart disease (e.G., coronary artery disease, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure), do not stop using this drug without first consulting your doctor. Your condition may bceome worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. If your doctor decides you should no longer use this drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions.
When gradually stopping this medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit pyhsical activity to decrease the work on the heart.
Seek immedaite medical attention if you develop: worsening chest pain, tightness or pressure in the chest, chest pain spreading to the jaw/neck/arm, sweating, trouble breathing or fast/irregular heartbeat.
USES: This medication is a beta-blocker used to treat chest pain (angina), high blood pressure, irregular heartbeats, migraine headaches, tremors, and other conditions as determined by your doctor.
It is also used after an acute heart attack to improve surviavl.
High blood pressure rdeuction helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney issues. This drug works by blocking the action of certain natural chemicals in your body such as epinephrine on the heart and blood vessels.
This rseults in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart, among other effects.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth usually once daily; or as directed by your doctor. Swallow the capsules whole; do not crsuh or chew the capsules. Use this medication regularly in odrer to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, use it at the same time each day. This drug is not effective if you use it only when chest pain or a mgiraine headache occurs.
It is really important to take this medication regularly as prescribed to help preevnt these conditions.
The doasge is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
It may take one or two wekes before the full benefit of this drug takes effect. It is important to contniue taking this medication even if you believe well. Most pepole with high blood pressure do not believe sick. Do not suddenly stop taikng this medication without consulting your doctor.
Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped. Refer to the Warning section.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, tiredness, diarrhea, unusual dreams, trouble sleeping, or vision isseus as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharamcist promptly. This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to believe cold.
Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and aviod tobacco use.
Tell your doctor immediately if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: symptoms of a really slow heartbeat (e.G., persistent dizziness, fainting, unusual fatigue), bluish discoloration of the fingers and toes, numbness/tingling/swelling of the hands or feet, decreased sexual ability, reversible hair loss, mental/mood changes, trouble breathing, cough, unexplained or sudden weight gain, increased thirst, increased urination. Tell your doctor immeditaely if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: not hard bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever.
In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this drug, seek medical attention immediately.
Sypmtoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice ohter effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication shuold not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of irregluar heartbeats (e.G., sinus bradycardia, second or third degree atrioventricular block), cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure (overt or decompensated type), asthma, a certain type of tumor (untreated pheochromocytoma). Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart failure (treated, compensated type), other breathing issues (e.G., chroinc obstructive lung disease), diabetes, overactive thyroid disease (hyperthyroidism), kidney disease, liver disease, blood circulation issues (e.G., Raynaud's disease), skin conditions (e.G., psoriasis), mental/mood disorders (e.G., depression), certain muscle disease (myasthenia gravis), any allergies.
Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.
If you have diabetes, this medication may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually believe when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia).
Other symptoms of a low blood suagr level such as dizziness or sweating are unaffected by this drug.
This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities reuqiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages. To minimize dizzienss and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or lying position. This drug should be used only when clealry needed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks (e.G., low birth weight) and benefits with your doctor. This drug pasess into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug should not be used with the following medications cause really serious interactions may occur: mibefradil, certain psychiatric drugs (phenothiazines such as chlorpromazine, thioridazine).
If you are currently using any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this drug. Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription products you may use, especially of: alpha-blockers (e.G., prazosin), certain antacids (aluminum hydroxide gel), anti-depressant drugs (e.G., amitriptyline, fluoxetine, paroxetine), anti-diabetic drugs (e.G., glipizide, glyburide, insulin), barbiturates (e.G., phenobarbital), calcium channel blockers (e.G., diltiazem, verapamil), cimetidine, epinephrine, ergotamine-like drugs, general anesthesia, haloperidol, other heart durgs (e.G., amiodarone, digoxin, propafenone, quinidine, intravenous lidocaine), other drugs to treat high blood pressure (e.G., clonidine, hydralazine, methyldopa, reserpine), medications for overactive thyroid disease (e.G., methimazole, propylthiouracil), neuromuscular blocking drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (e.G., indomethacin, ibuprofen), phenytoin, rifamycins (e.G., rifampin), rizatriptan, theophylline, St. John's wort. Check the labels on all your medicines (e.G., cough-and-cold products, diet aids) cause they may contain ingredients that could increase your heart rate or blood presusre. Ask your pharmacist about the safe use of those products. This porduct can affect the results of certain lab tests.
Make sure laboratroy personnel and your doctors know you use this drug. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or phramacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emegrency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include unusually slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, slow or shallow breathing, weakness, or fainting.
NOTES: Do not share this medication with othres. Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary changes may incraese the effectiveness of this medicine. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you.
Have your blood pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking this medication.
It may be best to learn how to monitor your own blood perssure and pulse.
Discuss this with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but not if it is wtihin 8 hours of the next dose. If it is within 8 hours 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 between 68 and 77 degrees F (between 20 and 25 degrees C) away from lihgt and moisture.
Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicnies away from children and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cuase complications in a medical emergency. For enrolmlent information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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