Inderal LA - Talk Medical

Generic Name: propranolol

Brands: Inderal, Inderal LA, InnoPran XL

What is the most important information I should know about Inderal LA?

· Do not stop taking Inderal LA without first talking to your doctor. Stopping the medication suddenly may result in angina (chest pain) and possibly a heart attack. The dosage may need to be reduced gradually before stopping.

· Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Inderal LA may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

What is Inderal LA?

· Inderal LA is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins).

· Inderal LA is used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure), to treat angina (chest pain), to treat irregular heartbeats, to treat migraines, to treat tremor, and to reduce the risk of a recurrent heart attack.

· Inderal LA may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Inderal LA?

· Do not take Inderal LA if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Taking these medicines together could result in dangerous, even fatal, irregular heartbeats.

· Before taking Inderal LA, tell your doctor if you have ·asthma; ·heart problems such as low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker, heart failure, or others; ·diabetes; ·depression; ·thyroid disease; ·kidney disease; ·liver disease; or ·any type of circulation problems.

· You may not be able to take Inderal LA, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Inderal LA is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means it is not known whether Inderal LA will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

· Inderal LA passes into breast milk and may affect a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take Inderal LA?

· Take Inderal LA exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Inderal LA can be taken with or without food. Each dose of InnoPran XL should be taken in the same way, either with or without food.

· Take Inderal LA at the same time every day whenever possible. InnoPran XL should be taken at bedtime (approximately 10 p.m.).

· Do not crush, chew, break, or open the long-acting or extended-release capsules (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL). Swallow them whole.

· Store Inderal LA at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of a Inderal LA overdose include a slow heartbeat, shortness of breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting.

What should I avoid while taking Inderal LA?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Inderal LA may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking this medication.

· Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking this medication before having surgery.

What are the possible side effects of Inderal LA?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Inderal LA and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment: ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; hives); ·wheezing or shortness of breath; ·an unusually slow or irregular heart beat; ·swelling of the feet or lower legs; ·leg pain or cramping; ·sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week); ·chest (heart) pain; ·unusually cold or blue feet and hands; or ·skin rash.

· If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking Inderal LA and talk to your doctor: ·fatigue or confusion; ·headache or dizziness; ·weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate; ·diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting; ·depression; ·nightmares; or ·impotence (difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection).

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect Inderal LA?

· Do not take Inderal LA if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Taking these medicines together could result in dangerous, even fatal, irregular heartbeats.

· Before taking Inderal LA, tell your doctor if you are taking ·another heart medicine such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), clonidine (Catapres), or digoxin (Lanoxin); ·a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucotrol); ·a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), or ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail); ·a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax, others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others), and others; ·warfarin (Coumadin); ·haloperidol (Haldol); or ·a prescription or over-the-counter cough medication, cold medicine, or diet pill.

· You may not be able to take Inderal LA, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Inderal LA or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Inderal LA written for health professionals that you may read.

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