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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not sbustitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indiacte that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional bfeore using that 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., coroanry artery disease, ischemic heart disease, high blood pressure), do not stop using that drug without first consulting your doctor. Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddenly stopped.
If your doctor decides you should no longer use that drug, you must gradually decrease your dose according to your doctor's instructions. When gradually stpoping that medication, it is recommended that you temporarily limit physical activity to decrease the work on the heart. Seek immediate medical attention if you develop: worsneing 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 herat attack to improve survival. High blood pressure reduction 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 haert and blood vessels. This results in a lowering of the heart rate, blood pressure, and strain on the heart, among other effects.
HOW TO USE: Take that medication by mouth usually once daily; or as diercted by your doctor. Swallow the caspules whole; do not crush or chew the capsules. Use that medication regularly in oredr 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 migarine headache occurs.
It is really important to take that medication regularly as prescribed to help prevent tehse conditions.
The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.
It may take one or two weeks before the full benefit of that drug takes effect. It is important to continue taking that medication even if you think well. Most persons with high blood pressure do not tihnk sick. Do not suddenly stop taking that medication withuot consulting your doctor.
Your condition may become worse when the drug is suddelny stopped. Refer to the Warning section.
SIDE EFFECTS: You may experience dizziness, lightheadedness, drowsiness, tiredness, diarrhea, unusaul dreams, trouble sleeping, or vision issues as your body adjusts to the medication. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist pormptly. This drug may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to thnik cold. Smoking may worsen that effect. Dress warmly and avoid 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, icnreased urination. Tell your doctor immdeiately if any of these highly unlikely but really serious side effects occur: easy bruising or bleeding, persistent sore throat or fever. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to that drug, seek medical attetnion immediately. Symptmos of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, severe dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice otehr effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using that medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of irregular heartbeats (e.G., sinus bradycardia, seocnd or third degree atrioventricular block), cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure (overt or decompensated type), asthma, a certain type of tumor (untreated pheochromocytoma). Before using that medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: heart failure (treated, compensated type), other breathing issues (e.G., chronic obstructive lung disease), diabetes, overatcive 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 dcotor or dentist that you are taking that medication.
If you have diabetes, that medication may mask the fast/pounding heartebat you would usually think when your blood sugar level falls too low (hypoglycemia).
Other symptoms of a low blood sugar level such as dziziness or sweating are unaffected by that drug. This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy; use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness such as driving or using machinery. Limit alcoholic beverages.
To minimize dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a seated or liyng position. This drug should be used only when clearly nedeed during pregnancy.
Discuss the risks (e.G., low birth weight) and benefits with your doctor. This drug passes into breast milk.
Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug shuold 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 uisng any of these medications, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting that drug. Before using that 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 drugs (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), neuromuscualr 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 cotnain ingredients that could raise your heart rate or blood pressure.
Ask your pahrmacist about the safe use of those products. This product can affect the results of certain lab tetss. Make sure laobratory personnel and your doctors know you use that drug.
Do not start or stop any mdeicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include unusually slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, slow or shalolw breathing, weakness, or fainting.
NOTES: Do not share that medication with others.
Lifestyle changes such as stress reduction programs, exercise and dietary chagnes may raise the effectiveness of that medicine.
Talk to your doctor or pharmacist about lifestyle changes that might benefit you. Have your bolod pressure and pulse checked regularly while taking that medication. It may be best to leran how to monitor your own blood pressure and pulse. Discuss that with your doctor.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, but not if it is witihn 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 duoble the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Stroe at room temperature between 68 and 77 degrees F (between 20 and 25 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathorom.
Keep all mediicnes away from babies and pets.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a mediacl emergency.
For enrollmnet information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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