Serious allergic reactions have occurred in people taking Inderal LA. Make sure to discuss this risk with your healthcare provider. Also, seek emergency medical attention immediately if you notice things such as hives, an unexplained rash or peeling of the skin, difficulty breathing, wheezing, or swelling of the face or throat.
Inderal LA may hide certain signs of hyperthyroidism. Do not stop Inderal LA suddenly, as this can cause serious symptoms. Make sure to talk with your healthcare provider before stopping Inderal LA so that it can be done in a safe manner.
Inderal LA may cause extreme low blood pressure and/or a slow heart rate in some people. Symptoms can include dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. If you develop any of these symptoms, contact your healthcare provider. Extreme low blood pressure is more likely to occur in people who are taking a diuretic, who are on dialysis, or who have diarrhea or vomiting. Also, make sure not to drive, operate any heavy machinery, or perform any other tasks that require alertness before you know how Inderal LA affects you.
People who have severe congestive heart failure and are taking Inderal LA are at an increased risk of making their heart failure worse. Therefore, if you have severe congestive heart failure and your healthcare provider prescribes Inderal LA, it is because he or she believes its benefits outweigh the potential risks. He or she may choose to monitor your situation more closely if this is the case.
Using beta blockers, such as Inderal LA, for a long period of time can sometimes lead to heart failure. Contact your healthcare provider if you notice any of the following symptoms: unexplained weight gain; swelling of the ankles, feet, or legs; cough; and shortness of breath (see Symptoms of Congestive Heart Failure).
You should not abruptly stop taking Inderal LA. In clinical studies, this has been shown to increase a person's chances for developing angina (chest pain), a heart attack, or serious irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias). This risk is even greater in people with existing heart disease.
Low blood sugar levels have been reported in people taking Inderal LA. This has been more common in infants, children, and people with kidney disease. It has also been more common during fasting, before surgery, or after prolonged exercise. Low blood sugar symptoms may include irritability, trembling, cold sweats, or blurry vision, to name a few (see Inderal and Low Blood Sugar).
If you have kidney disease or kidney failure, your body may metabolize the Inderal LA differently than intended. Therefore, your healthcare provider may monitor your situation more closely if this is the case.
Beta blockers, including Inderal LA, are used with caution, if at all, in people with certain lung diseases, such as asthma, emphysema, chronic bronchitis, or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). This is because beta blockers affect the lungs and can cause a narrowing of the airways. This risk is increased in people with certain lung diseases. If you develop problems with breathing or wheezing, call your healthcare provider.
If you have allergies, taking Inderal LA may increase your reaction to the specific allergens and your body may not respond to the usual doses of epinephrine.
Inderal LA may lower the pressure within the eye (intraocular pressure). This can affect the results of the glaucoma screening test. Stopping Inderal LA will usually increase the intraocular pressure again.
If you are going to have surgery, let your healthcare provider or dentist know that you are taking Inderal LA.
Inderal LA is a pregnancy Category C medicine, meaning that there may be an increased risk to the fetus if you take the drug during pregnancy. Let your healthcare provider know if you are pregnant or thinking of becoming pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Inderal LA, contact your healthcare provider (see Inderal LA and Pregnancy).
Inderal LA is known to pass through breast milk. Therefore, if you are nursing and taking Inderal LA, you are generally recommended to stop nursing. Talk with your healthcare provider about your particular situation, however.
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