nadolol
Nadolol (Corgard) is a medication that can treat high blood pressure and chest pain. It can be taken alone or together with other medications for these conditions. Typically, nadolol (Corgard) is taken by mouth once daily with or without food. And some side effects of nadolol (Corgard) include dizziness and tiredness.
What is Nadolol (Corgard)?
What is Nadolol (Corgard) used for?
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Chest pain (angina)
How Nadolol (Corgard) works
Nadolol (Corgard) is a non-selective beta blocker. This type of medication slows down your heart rate and relaxes blood vessels. As a result, this lessens the pressure on your blood vessels and eases chest pain.
Drug facts
Side effects of Nadolol (Corgard)
The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.
Common Side Effects
- Very slow heart beat (2%)
- Dizziness (2%)
- Extreme tiredness (2%)
Less Common Side Effects
- Feeling very sleepy
- Stomach problems, such as nausea or indigestion
Nadolol (Corgard) serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Heart failure: trouble breathing, fast weight gain, feeling very tired, chest pain, swelling in the legs, ankles, or feet
- Bronchospasm: tightness in the chest, trouble catching your breath, difficulty breathing, wheezing, cough, dizziness, extreme tiredness
The following Nadolol (Corgard) side effects have also been reported
Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:
Less common
Blurred vision
chest pain or discomfort
confusion
dilated neck veins
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
extreme fatigue
irregular breathing
lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
paleness or cold feeling in fingertips and toes
shortness of breath
slow or irregular heartbeat
sweating
swelling of face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
tingling or pain in fingers or toes when exposed to cold
unusual tiredness or weakness
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. Also, your health care professional may 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 or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:
Rare
Bloated
continuing ringing or buzzing or other unexplained noise in ears
decreased interest in sexual intercourse
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
drowsiness
dry mouth, eyes, or skin
excess air or gas in stomach or intestines
full feeling
gas in stomach
hair loss, thinning of hair
headache
hearing loss
inability to have or keep an erection
itching skin
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
loss of appetite
passing gas
rash
relaxed and calm
sleepiness
stomach pain
stomach soreness or discomfort
vomiting
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.
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Pros and cons of Nadolol (Corgard)
Pros
- Can help to both lower blood pressure and relieve chest pain
- Can be taken with or without food
- Taken once daily
- Available as a lower-cost generic
Cons
- Not safe for people with asthma or certain serious heart conditions
- Generally not recommended for people who are pregnant or breastfeeding
- Can hide many recognizable symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beat or tremors, which might prevent timely treatment
- Suddenly stopping nadolol (Corgard) can raise your risk of heart attacks
Pharmacist tips for Nadolol (Corgard)
- Your healthcare provider will work with you to find a dose of nadolol (Corgard) that’s best for you. Most likely, you’ll start on a low dose as you monitor blood pressure. This may involve more frequent blood pressure checks when starting the medication. Discuss with your healthcare provider to come up with how often you should measure your blood pressure.
- When you’re taking nadolol (Corgard), you might find it helpful to record your blood pressure measurements in a notebook or log. For tips on how to measure your blood pressure at home. If you don’t have a blood pressure cuff at home, call your local pharmacy to see if they offer free measurements. And check with your healthcare provider to see where else you can access blood pressure checks.
- Because nadolol (Corgard) lowers your blood pressure and heart rate, it can make it harder for you to identify symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beats. This is especially important for people with diabetes since you might not be able to rely on all the typical symptoms of low blood sugar to warn you of a dangerous drop in your sugar levels. Sweating might be the only symptom not affected by taking nadolol (Corgard).
- Don't stop taking nadolol (Corgard) suddenly without talking to your healthcare provider as this could make chest pain or other heart conditions (such as coronary artery disease) worse. If you want to stop the medication, speak with your healthcare provider. They can work with you to lower your dose safely over time (which typically occurs over 1-2 weeks).
- In addition to taking nadolol (Corgard), talk with your provider about other ways to lower your blood pressure safely. Often times, lifestyle changes, such as exercising regularly and limiting how much salt you add to foods, can be helpful in lowering high blood pressure.
Common questions about Nadolol
Possibly. While dizziness isn't a common side effect of Nadolol, some people do feel dizzy after they take this medication. That's because Nadolol affects your blood pressure and heart rate. Your risk of dizziness is higher when you first start taking this medication. But the dizziness should go away within a few days. To be safe, you should avoid driving until you know how Nadolol makes you feel. If you experience dizziness, you may want to take this medication before bedtime. If you continue to feel dizzy after a few days, contact your healthcare provider. If you don't have this side effect, you can take Nadolol at any time of day, though it works best if you take it around the same time each
Drinking alcohol can worsen certain side effects of Nadolol, like dizziness. If possible, you're recommended to avoid drinking alcohol while taking Nadolol. But if it’s difficult for you to avoid alcohol completely, speak with your healthcare provider about limiting how much to drink. They can recommend an amount that might be safer for you.
Currently, the FDA has only approved Nadolol for high blood pressure and chest pain. However, this medication is sometimes prescribed off-label (not FDA-approved) to help prevent migraines. According to the American Headache Society, Nadolol will probably work well to prevent migraines, but it’s not a first-choice beta blocker for this condition. Evidence shows that there are other beta-blockers, such as metoprolol (Lopressor) and propranolol (Inderal), that work better than Nadolol at preventing migraines. Let your healthcare provider know if you have migraines, so that they can come up with the best lifestyle and medication options for you.
Nadolol hasn't been well studied in human pregnancy. But animal studies show that this medication can cause harm in certain animals when taken during pregnancy. Because of this, your healthcare provider will most likely not recommend Nadolol during pregnancy, unless they think the benefits of this medication outweigh the potential harm to both you and your unborn baby. If you're considering becoming pregnant or are currently pregnant, speak with your healthcare provider about possible medication options for you.
If you're nursing and have high blood pressure or chest pain, speak with your healthcare provider. Nadolol can be passed through breast milk. However, there's little information on how it may affect babies. Because of this, your healthcare provider will most likely not recommend Nadolol while you're nursing, unless they think the benefits of this medication is greater than the potential harm to both you and your baby.
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Risks and warnings for Nadolol (Corgard)
Nadolol (Corgard) can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.
Worsening chest pain and heart attacks
- Risk factors: Stopping nadolol (Corgard) suddenly | Coronary artery disease (CAD)
Don’t stop taking nadolol (Corgard) suddenly as this may raise your risk of chest pain or heart attack. Some common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain and tightness, pain that spreads to arms and neck, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue. If you need to stop taking nadolol (Corgard) for any reason, let your healthcare provider know. They can work with you to lower your dose safely over time (which typically occurs over 1-2 weeks).
Heart failure
- Risk factors: Heart failure
People with heart failure shouldn't take nadolol (Corgard) if their heart failure symptoms aren’t well-managed. That’s because this medication can make your condition worse. But you might be able to take nadolol (Corgard) if your healthcare provider thinks your symptoms are under controlled. Keep in mind that, though rare, sometimes taking a beta-blocker, like nadolol (Corgard) over time might lead to heart failure even in people without this condition. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience symptoms of heart failure, such as fluid build-up in different areas of the body including the ankles, legs, and lungs, and difficulty breathing.
Risk of difficulty breathing
- Risk factors: Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) | Asthma
Nadolol (Corgard) can cause the vessels in your lung to tighten. This can make breathing difficult, especially in people with breathing problems, like asthma or COPD. Nadolol (Corgard) might also cause certain medications taken to ease these conditions to not work as well. Let your doctor know if you have any breathing problems before starting nadolol (Corgard).
Hiding symptoms of low blood sugar
- Risk factors: Diabetes
Taking nadolol (Corgard) can make it difficult for you to identify symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beat or tremors. If you’re taking medications, like glipizide or insulin, to lower your blood sugar, you might not be able to rely on all the typical symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., irritability, sight tremors, confusion, and fast heartbeat) to warn you of a dangerous drop in your sugar levels. Sweating might be the only symptom not affected by taking nadolol (Corgard). Speak with your healthcare provider about when and how to monitor your blood sugar if you start nadolol (Corgard).
Greater risk during surgery
- Risk factors: Major surgery requiring anesthesia
Both beta-blockers and medications used for anesthesia can lower your heart rate. So, if you’re planning to undergo a major surgery that requires anesthesia, tell your surgeon that you’re on nadolol (Corgard) so that they can monitor your heart closely.
Hiding symptoms of overactive thyroid
- Risk factors: Hyperthyroidism
If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), talk to your healthcare provider before stopping nadolol (Corgard). Because nadolol (Corgard) lowers your heart rate, it may be harder to notice heart-related symptoms that are caused by hyperthyroidism. In some people, stopping this medication suddenly may lead to a condition called a "thyroid storm,” which may include symptoms such as a high temperature, rapid heartbeat, and fainting.
Nadolol (Corgard) dosage
Interactions between Nadolol (Corgard) and other drugs
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Albuterol
- Ceritinib
- Clonidine
- Crizotinib
- Diltiazem
- Dronedarone
- Epinephrine
- Fenoldopam
- Fingolimod
- Formoterol
- Indacaterol
- Iobenguane I 131
- Iohexol
- Lacosamide
- Levalbuterol
- Lidocaine
- Olodaterol
- Oxymetazoline
- Ponesimod
- Rivastigmine
- Salmeterol
- Siponimod
- Terbutaline
- Verapamil
- Vilanterol
Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.
- Acarbose
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acetyldigoxin
- Albiglutide
- Alfuzosin
- Alogliptin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arbutamine
- Aspirin
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Bunazosin
- Canagliflozin
- Celecoxib
- Chlorpropamide
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Dapagliflozin
- Deslanoside
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitoxin
- Digoxin
- Dipyrone
- Doxazosin
- Droxicam
- Dulaglutide
- Empagliflozin
- Ertugliflozin
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Exenatide
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Glimepiride
- Glipizide
- Glyburide
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
- Insulin Degludec
- Insulin Detemir
- Insulin Glargine, Recombinant
- Insulin Glulisine
- Insulin Human Inhaled
- Insulin Human Isophane (NPH)
- Insulin Human Regular
- Insulin Lispro, Recombinant
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Linagliptin
- Liraglutide
- Lixisenatide
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Metformin
- Metildigoxin
- Mibefradil
- Miglitol
- Morniflumate
- Moxisylyte
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nateglinide
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenelzine
- Phenoxybenzamine
- Phentolamine
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Pioglitazone
- Piroxicam
- Pramlintide
- Pranoprofen
- Prazosin
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Repaglinide
- Rofecoxib
- Rosiglitazone
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Saxagliptin
- Sitagliptin
- Sodium Salicylate
- St John's Wort
- Sulindac
- Tamsulosin
- Tenoxicam
- Terazosin
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolazamide
- Tolbutamide
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Trimazosin
- Urapidil
- Valdecoxib
- Vildagliptin
How much does Nadolol (Corgard) cost?
Nadolol (Corgard) contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Nadolol (Corgard) will not be safe for you to take.
- Asthma
- Certain serious heart conditions, such as heart failure with symptoms that aren't under control
What are alternatives to Nadolol (Corgard)?
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