Nadolol

If you are one of the millions of Americans that suffer from high blood pressure, you are probably already on or at least considering a prescription medication to get it under control. What may surprise you is that prescription drugs are not the only to treat hypertension, but if you do choose a prescription, it is important that you choose the right one. All come with the possibility of side effects, but some have more risks than others.

Prescription Drug

One of the many available prescription drugs for hypertension is nadolol, a beta blocker in the ACE inhibitors classification of drugs. If you are unfamiliar with what an ACE inhibitor is, it is a medication that slows the activity of the angiotensin converting enzyme in the body. Nadolol comes with the risks associated with all ACE inhibitor drugs, but the effects are shown to be mild in most cases. You should take precautions when starting any new medication; however nadolol should not be used by anyone that is allergic to any other ACE inhibitor drug. Nadolol should also not be used by patients with a history of heart, liver or kidney disease. Check with your doctor and give him or her details of what medications you are currently on. This is especially true if you suffer from asthma, bronchitis, diabetes, low blood pressure, heart problems, a thyroid disorder, myasthenia gravis, and pheochromocytoma or circulation problems.

Nadolol has also been known to be prescribed for migraines. Whether or not it is an effective treatment is still be reviewed. Like stated above, all medications carry some risk of side effects. The most important thing to remember is to take the correct nadolol dose. This will decrease your risk of serious side effects. Side effects of nadolol and are minimal for most people, but this is of course a generalization. Your symptoms could be non-existent or possibly worse. Some of the common nadolol side effects are decreased sex drive, insomnia, fatigue and anxiety. The more severe side effects can include uneven heartbeat, fatigue and weakness, depression, cold feet and hands, jaundice, swelling of ankles and feet, shortness of breath, and fainting spells.

The most common dosage amount for nadolol is 80mg, but it also comes in 20, 40, 120 and 160mg strength tablets. Your doctor will decide which dosage amount is best for you based on your health history and current symptoms. Once you have been on nadolol, the dosage amount can be altered as needed.