guanadrel Health Article

Generic name(s):

guanadrel

Brand name(s):

Hylorel

What is the most important information I should know about guanadrel?

Do not stop taking guanadrel suddenly without first talking to your doctor. This could cause severely high blood pressure, nervousness, and anxiety. 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. Dizziness may occur while taking guanadrel and may result in a fall.

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).

Guanadrel is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Guanadrel may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking 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 be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take guanadrel without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment. Guanadrel passes into breast milk and it may be harmful to 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 causes stomach upset.

It is important to take guanadrel regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking guanadrel suddenly without first talking to your doctor. This could cause severely high blood pressure, nervousness, and anxiety.

Your doctor may want you to have blood pressure monitoring or other medical evaluations during treatment with guanadrel to monitor progress and 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 if an overdose is suspected.

Symptoms of a guanadrel overdose include low blood pressure (fainting, dizziness, weakness); a slow pulse; low body temperature; diarrhea; and slow breathing.