What is this medication and its most common uses?Inderal LA is a medicine known as a beta-blocker, which is used alone or in combination with other medicines to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, or to prevent migraines. Inderal LA can also be used to improve symptoms associated with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, a heart condition characterized by heart muscle thickening.
Inderal LA is an extended-release medicine (a type of capsule that releases medicine into your body throughout the day).
What should I know when beginning and continuing on this medication?How does this medication work?
Inderal LA works by decreasing your heart rate, and relaxing and widening your blood vessels, allowing your blood to flow through with less resistance. This helps to lower your blood pressure.
What are the beneficial effects of this medication and when should I begin to have results?
High Blood Pressure: By lowering your blood pressure, Inderal LA may lower your risk of a stroke or a heart attack.
Chest Pain: Inderal LA has been shown to reduce the number of chest pain attacks and improve exercise tolerance.
Migraine: Inderal LA has been shown to reduce the number of headaches or improve the severity of your headaches.
Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis: Inderal LA may improve your symptoms associated with hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.
When: Everyone responds differently to treatment, so try to be patient and follow your healthcare provider's directions. Though you may not feel an improvement or change in the way you feel, it is very important to keep taking your medicine as prescribed to keep your condition under control.
How do I know it is working?
High Blood Pressure: Check your blood pressure regularly. Your healthcare provider will also check your blood pressure at every visit. Following an appropriate diet and exercise plan will also affect your blood pressure results.
Migraine: You may feel relief or improvement in your migraine headache after you take Inderal LA. This is a good indicator that the medicine is working. Recording your headache frequency and medication use may be helpful to you and your healthcare provider in monitoring your progress.
What are the possible side effects of this medication?The following is not a full list of side effects. Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, tell your healthcare provider as soon as possible. Only your healthcare provider can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking this medication.
More common side effects may include: low blood pressure, light-headedness, nausea, sore throat.
Less common side effects may include:
Serious allergic reactions, with symptoms such as rash or hives.
Worsened heart failure with symptoms such as weight gain, increased shortness of breath, or a slow heartbeat.
Inderal LA may hide symptoms of low blood sugar levels if you have diabetes.
Who should not take this medication?Do not take Inderal LA if you are allergic to it or any of its ingredients.
Do not take Inderal LA if you have certain heart problems (such as a slow heartbeat or your heart skips a beat), or if you have breathing problems (such as asthma).
What should I tell my healthcare provider before I take the first dose of this medication?Tell your healthcare provider about all prescription, over-the-counter, and herbal medications you are taking before beginning treatment with Inderal LA. Also, talk to your healthcare provider about your complete medical history, especially if you have kidney, liver, thyroid, or heart problems; lung problems (such as bronchitis or emphysema); diabetes; or if you are scheduled for surgery (including cataract surgery).
Tell your healthcare provider if you have a history of severe allergic reactions to any allergens, because Inderal LA may decrease the effectiveness of epinephrine, a medicine used to treat such reactions.
What is the usual dosage?The information below is based on the dosage guidelines your healthcare provider uses. Depending on your condition and medical history, your healthcare provider may prescribe a different regimen. Do not change the dosage or stop taking your medication without your healthcare provider's approval.
Chest Pain, High Blood Pressure, and Migraine
Adults: The usual starting dose is 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your healthcare provider may increase your dose as needed, until the desired effect is achieved.
Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis
Adults: The usual dose is 80 to 160 mg once a day.
If you are elderly, your healthcare provider may adjust your dose appropriately.
It is important that you do not stop taking this medication abruptly. If you need to change or stop taking this medication, it is important that you only do this with the guidance of your healthcare provider.
How should I take this medication?Take Inderal LA exactly as prescribed by your healthcare provider.
If you do not see an improvement in your migraines in 4 to 6 weeks, call your healthcare provider.
What should I avoid while taking this medication?Do not change your dose or stop taking Inderal LA without first talking to your healthcare provider.
What are the possible food and drug interactions associated with this medication?If Inderal LA is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Inderal LA may interact with numerous medications. Therefore, it is very important that you tell your healthcare provider about any other medications you are taking.
May I receive this medication if I am pregnant or breastfeeding?The effects of Inderal LA during pregnancy are unknown. Inderal LA can be found in your breast milk if you take it while breastfeeding. Tell your healthcare provider immediately if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
What should I do if I miss a dose of this medication?If you miss a dose of Inderal LA, skip the one you missed and return to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take two doses at once.
How should I store this medication?Store at room temperature. Protect from light, moisture, freezing, and excessive heat.