Nadolol

Nadolol is used for:

Long-term management of chest pain or high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other high blood pressure medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Nadolol is a beta-blocker. It works by interfering with certain body chemicals, which causes the heart to beat with less force and pump out less blood. This allows the heart to beat more slowly and regularly. By blocking these chemicals, blood vessels are relaxed and widened, allowing blood pressure to decrease.

Do not suddenly stop taking Nadolol . Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Nadolol . The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take Nadolol for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Nadolol again.

Some medical conditions may interact with Nadolol . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

* if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding

* if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

* if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances

* if you have breathing problems (including chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD]), diabetes, congestive heart failure, overactive thyroid, kidney or circulation problems, or a tumor on your adrenal gland, or you are about to have major surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Nadolol . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

* Mibefradil because the risk of serious heart side effects may be increased

* Many prescription and nonprescription medicines (eg, used for infections, inflammation, aches and pains, high blood pressure, heart problems, irregular heartbeat, diabetes, depression, mental or mood problems, immune system suppression, allergic reactions, asthma, high cholesterol, seizures), multivitamin products, and herbal or dietary supplements (eg, herbal teas, coenzyme Q10, garlic, ginseng, ginkgo, St. John's wort) may interact with Nadolol , increasing the risk of side effects

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Nadolol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

Use Nadolol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

* Take Nadolol by mouth with or without food.

* Take Nadolol on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it. Taking Nadolol at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.

* Continue to take Nadolol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.

* Do not suddenly stop taking Nadolol . You may have an increased risk of side effects (eg, chest pain, heart palpitations, sweating, headache). If you need to stop Nadolol or add a new medicine, your doctor will gradually lower your dose.

* If you miss a dose of Nadolol , take it as soon as you remember if it is more than 8 hours before the next scheduled dose. If it is less than 8 hours until your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Nadolol .

* Nadolol may cause drowsiness or dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Nadolol with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.

* Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.

* Do not suddenly stop taking Nadolol without talking with your health care provider, especially if you have heart disease. The dose should be reduced gradually over a period of 1 to 2 weeks. If chest pain becomes worse or heart problems develop, Nadolol should be restarted at least temporarily along with other medical treatment.

* If your doctor has instructed you to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, be sure to do so.

* Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Nadolol before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.

* If you have high blood pressure, do not use nonprescription products that contain stimulants. These products may include diet pills or cold medicines. Contact your doctor if you have any questions or concerns.

* Diabetes patients- Nadolol may hide signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.

* Lab tests, including blood pressure, electrocardiogram (ECG), heart rate, and heart function tests, may be performed while you use Nadolol . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.

* Nadolol should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.

* PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Nadolol while you are pregnant. Nadolol is found in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you use Nadolol , check with your doctor. Discuss any possible risks to your baby.

If you stop taking Nadolol suddenly, you may have WITHDRAWAL symptoms. These may include fast heartbeat, low blood pressure, chest pain, and nervousness.

Store Nadolol at room temperature, between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep bottle tightly closed. Keep Nadolol out of the reach of children and away from pets.