$Unique_ID{BRK02045}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{NADOLOL}
$Subject{Corgard (Princeton Pharm.)}
$Volume{}
$Log{
Corgard*0204501.scf}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


NADOLOL
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BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Corgard (Princeton Pharm.)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Beta-adrenergic blocking agent
INGREDIENT:
     nadolol
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (20 mg, 40 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, and 160 mg)
STORAGE:
     Nadolol should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.

USES

     Nadolol is used to treat high blood pressure and angina pectoris (chest
pain).  It belongs to a group of medicines known as beta-adrenergic blocking
agents or, more commonly, beta blockers.  These drugs work by controlling
nerve impulses along certain nerve pathways.

TREATMENT

     Nadolol can be taken with a glass of water, with meals, immediately
following meals, or on an empty stomach, depending on your doctor's
instructions.  Try to take the medication at the same time(s) each day.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medicine.  If you do miss a dose, take
the missed dose as soon as possible.  However, if the next scheduled dose is
within eight hours (if you are taking this medicine only once a day) or within
four hours (if you are taking this medicine more than once a day), do not take
the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.  Do not
double the next dose.
     It is important to remember that nadolol does not cure high blood
pressure, but will help you to control your condition as long as you continue
your drug therapy.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Anxiety; cold hands or feet (due to decreased blood circulation to the
skin, fingers, and toes); constipation; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea;
difficulty in sleeping; drowsiness; dryness of the eyes, mouth, and skin;
headache; nausea; nervousness; stomach discomfort; tiredness; or weakness.
These side effects should disappear during treatment, as your body adjusts to
the medication.
     If you are extra-sensitive to the cold, be sure to dress warmly during
cold weather.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), exercise, and
drink more water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Plain, nonmedicated eye drops (artificial tears) may help to relieve eye
dryness.  Sucking on ice chips or chewing sugarless gum helps to relieve mouth
or throat dryness.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
breathing difficulty or wheezing, confusion, dizziness, fever and sore throat,
hair loss, hallucinations, light-headedness, mental depression, nightmares,
numbness or tingling of the fingers or toes, rapid weight gain (three to five
pounds within a week), reduced alertness, swelling, skin rash, or unusual
bleeding or bruising.

INTERACTIONS

     Nadolol interacts with several other types of medications:
     1. Indomethacin, aspirin, or other salicylates may decrease the
blood-pressure-lowering effects of beta blockers.
     2. Concurrent use of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers
(diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil) or disopyramide can potentially lead to
heart failure or very low blood pressure.
     3. Side effects may be increased when nadolol is taken with cimetidine,
clonidine, digoxin, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine,
phenothiazine tranquilizers, prazosin, or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
At least 14 days should separate the use of a beta blocker and an MAO
inhibitor.
     4. Alcohol, barbiturates, and rifampin may decrease the blood
concentrations of beta blockers, which can result in a decrease in
effectiveness.
     5. Beta blockers may antagonize (work against) the effects of
theophylline, aminophylline, albuterol, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, and
terbutaline.
     6. Beta blockers can also interact with insulin or oral antidiabetic
agents, raising or lowering blood sugar levels or masking the symptoms of low
blood sugar.
     7. The concurrent use of nadolol and reserpine can have additive
blood-pressure-lowering effects and can slow the heartbeat.
     8. The action of beta blockers may be increased if they are used with
chlorpromazine, furosemide, hydralazine, or oral contraceptives (birth control
pills), which may have a negative effect.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Tell your doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to
any medications, especially to nadolol or any other beta blocker (acebutolol,
atenolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol, penbutolol, pindolol,
propranolol, or timolol).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had allergies,
asthma, hay fever, eczema, slow heartbeat, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus,
emphysema, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney disease, liver disease,
thyroid disease, or poor circulation in the fingers or toes.
     * You may want to check your pulse regularly while you are taking this
medication.  If your pulse is much slower than your usual rate (or if it is
less than 50 beats per minute), check with your doctor.  A pulse rate that is
too slow may cause circulation problems.  This medicine may affect your body's
response to exercise.  Make sure you discuss with your doctor a safe amount of
exercise for your medical condition.
     * It is important that you do not stop taking this medicine without first
checking with your doctor.  Some conditions may become worse when the medicine
is stopped suddenly, and the danger of a heart attack is increased in some
patients.  Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of medicine
you take before stopping completely.  Make sure that you have enough medicine
on hand to last through vacations, holidays, and weekends.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, be sure
to tell your physician or dentist that you are taking nadolol.  Often, this
medication will be discontinued 48 hours prior to any major surgery.
     * Nadolol can cause dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, or decreased
alertness.  You should, therefore, use caution while driving a car or
operating any potentially dangerous machinery.  While taking this medicine, do
not use any over-the-counter (nonprescription) allergy, asthma, cough, cold,
sinus, or diet preparation unless you first check with your pharmacist or
doctor.  Some of these medicines can result in high blood pressure when
combined with a beta blocker.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Animal studies have
shown that some beta blockers can cause problems in pregnancy when used at
very high doses.  Adequate studies have not been conducted in humans, but
there has been some association between beta blockers used during pregnancy
and low birth weight, as well as breathing problems and slow heart rate in
newborn infants.  However, other reports have shown no effects on newborn
infants.  Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.
Although this medicine has not been shown to cause problems in breast-fed
infants, some of the medicine may pass into breast milk, so caution is
warranted.

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The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
