guanadrel Pronunciation: GWAH na drel Brand: Hylorel What is the most important information I should know about guanadrel? • Do not stop taking guanadrel suddenly, even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly could cause severe high blood pressure, anxiety, or other dangerous side effects. • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Guanadrel may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. • Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking guanadrel and you may fall and injure yourself if you get up quickly. • Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. What is guanadrel? • Guanadrel lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in the blood. This allows the blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax (widen) and the heart to beat more slowly and easily. • Guanadrel is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). • Guanadrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Who should not take guanadrel? • Do not take guanadrel without first talking to your doctor if you      · have congestive heart failure;      · have pheochromocytoma; or      · are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate). • Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have      · peptic ulcer disease (stomach ulcers),      · ulcerative colitis,      · kidney disease, or      · asthma. • You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Guanadrel is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take guanadrel without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. • Guanadrel passes into breast milk and it may harm a nursing infant. Do not take guanadrel without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. How should I take guanadrel? • Take guanadrel exactly as directed. 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. • Take guanadrel with food or milk if it upsets your stomach. • Do not stop taking guanadrel suddenly, even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly could cause severe high blood pressure, anxiety, or other dangerous side effects. • Store this medication 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 dose you missed 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 guanadrel overdose include low blood pressure (fainting, dizziness, weakness); a slow pulse; low body temperature; diarrhea; and slow breathing. What should I avoid while taking guanadrel? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Guanadrel may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. • Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking guanadrel and you may fall and injure yourself if you get up quickly. • Avoid alcohol while taking guanadrel. It may increase drowsiness and may also cause dizziness while taking guanadrel. Use caution even with small amounts of alcohol. • Guanadrel may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. • Do not let yourself become overheated in hot weather or during exercise. Also avoid standing for long periods of time and use caution if you have a fever. These situations increase the effects of guanadrel in the body and you may become very dizzy. • Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication. What are the possible side effects of guanadrel? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking guanadrel and seek emergency medical attention or notify your doctor immediately:      · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);      · a very irregular heartbeat;      · heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of ankles or legs, sudden weight gain of 5 pounds or more); or      · chest pain. • Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take guanadrel and talk to your doctor if you experience      · unusual fatigue or drowsiness;      · dizziness (avoid standing up to quickly and use caution when performing hazardous activities);      · anxiety, depression, or nightmares;      · diarrhea, nausea, or vomiting (take guanadrel with food or milk if it upsets your stomach);      · a stuffy nose or a dry mouth (sucking on ice chips or sugarless hard candy may relieve a dry mouth);      · blurred vision;      · weight gain; or      · impotence or difficulty ejaculating. • 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 guanadrel? • Do not take guanadrel if you are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) or if you have taken one in the last 14 days. MAOIs, used to treat depression, include isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), and tranylcypromine (Parnate). • Before taking guanadrel, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:      · a respiratory medicine such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax, others), pirbuterol (Maxair), salmeterol (Serevent), and others;      · a beta-blocker such as atenolol (Tenormin), acebutolol (Sectral), bisoprolol (Zebeta), carteolol (Cartrol), carvedilol (Coreg), labetalol (Trandate, Normodyne), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), pindolol (Visken), and timolol (Blocadren);      · a phenothiazine such as chlorpromazine (Thorazine), prochlorperazine (Compazine), perphenazine (Trilafon), fluphenazine (Prolixin), thioridazine (Mellaril), and others;      · other heart medications such as hydralazine (Apresoline) or minoxidil (Loniten); or      · a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), imipramine (Tofranil), doxepin (Sinequan), nortriptyline (Pamelor), and others. • You may require special monitoring or a dosage adjustment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above. • Guanadrel may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, seizure medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with guanadrel or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about guanadrel written for health professionals that you may read. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed. The information in this leaflet is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, drug interactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse, or pharmacist. © Multum Information Services 2001. Version: 5.01. Revision date: 6/15/01.

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