Guanadrel (Oral)

Guanadrel is part of a group of medicines called antihypertensives. It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

High blood pressure makes the heart and arteries work harder. If it lasts a long time, the heart and arteries may not work properly. This can harm the blood vessels in the brain, heart, and kidneys, leading to a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure can also raise the risk of heart attacks. Controlling blood pressure may help reduce the chances of these issues.

Guanadrel works by managing nerve signals along specific nerve pathways. This helps to relax the blood vessels, allowing blood to flow through them more easily, which lowers blood pressure.

Guanadrel is available only with your doctor's prescription.

It is important for your doctor to check your progress at regular visits to ensure that this medicine is working properly.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may happen, especially when you get up from lying down or sitting. This is more likely to occur in the morning. Getting up slowly may help. If you feel dizzy, sit or lie down. When getting up from lying down, sit on the edge of the bed with your feet hanging for 1 or 2 minutes, then stand up slowly. If the problem continues or gets worse, consult your doctor.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting is also more likely if you drink alcohol, stand for long periods, exercise, or if the weather is hot. While taking guanadrel, be careful to limit your alcohol intake. Also, take extra precautions during exercise, in hot weather, or if you have to stand for long periods.

Do not take other medicines unless you have discussed them with your doctor. This includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, as they may increase your blood pressure.

Before any kind of surgery (including dental surgery) or emergency treatment, inform the medical doctor or dentist that you are taking guanadrel.

Tell your doctor if you develop a fever, as it may change the amount of medicine you need to take.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to consider the risks of taking it against the benefits it provides. Here are some important points to think about for this medicine:

Allergies

Let your doctor know if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also inform your healthcare professional if you have other allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Research on this medicine has only been conducted with adult patients, and there is no specific information comparing the use of guanadrel in children to other age groups.

Geriatric

Elderly patients may experience dizziness or faintness more often, as they are generally more sensitive to the effects of guanadrel.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women to determine the risk to infants when using this medication during breastfeeding. Consider the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should never be used together, while in other cases, two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction could happen. In these situations, your doctor may adjust the dose, or other precautions might be necessary. It is crucial that your healthcare professional knows if you are taking any of the medicines listed below while using this medicine. The following interactions are significant and may not include all possible interactions.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may choose not to prescribe this medication or may change some of the other medicines you are taking.

• Brofaromine
• Clorgyline
• Furazolidone
• Iproniazid
• Isocarboxazid
• Lazabemide
• Linezolid
• Moclobemide
• Nialamide
• Pargyline
• Phenelzine
• Procarbazine
• Rasagiline
• Selegiline
• Toloxatone
• Tranylcypromine

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may still be necessary for your treatment. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor might adjust the dose or the frequency of one or both medicines.

• Yohimbine

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Some medicines should not be used at or near mealtime, as interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Having other medical issues may affect how this medicine works for you. Be sure to tell your doctor if you have any other medical conditions, especially:

• Asthma (history of) or
• Diarrhea or
• Pheochromocytoma or
• Stomach ulcer (history of)—Guanadrel may worsen these conditions

• Fever—Effects of guanadrel may be increased

• Recent heart attack or stroke or
• Heart or blood vessel disease—Lowering blood pressure may worsen issues related to these conditions

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may occur, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur:

Rare

• Blurred vision
• Dizziness or faintness (severe)

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

• Swelling of feet or lower legs

Less common or rare

• Chest pain
• Shortness of breath

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Your health care professional may also be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue, are bothersome, or if you have any questions about them:

More common

• Difficulty in ejaculating
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• Drowsiness
• Unusual tiredness or weakness
• Weight gain or loss (excessive)

Less common or rare

• Diarrhea or increase in bowel movements
• Dryness of mouth
• Headache
• Muscle pain or tremors
• Nighttime urination

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Hylorel

Pharmacologic Class: Adrenergic Blocker

In addition to the use of the medicine your doctor has prescribed, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and care in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that guanadrel will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, you must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

To help you remember to take your medicine, try to get into the habit of taking it at the same time each day.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage form (tablets): For high blood pressure: Adults—At first, 5 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Then, your doctor may increase your dose to 20 to 75 mg a day, divided into two to four doses. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.