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.
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What are the side effects of Nadolol (Corgard)?
Common Side Effects
- Very slow heart beat (2%)
- Dizziness (2%)
- Extreme tiredness (2%)
Other Side Effects
- Feeling very sleepy
- Stomach problems, such as nausea or indigestion
Serious Side Effects
- 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
Source: DailyMed
The following 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.
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.
Frequently asked questions about Nadolol (Corgard)
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What are the 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 forms
Typical dosing for Nadolol (Corgard)
High blood pressure: Most people start with 40 mg of nadolol (Corgard) by mouth once daily. Your healthcare provider will raise your dose over time if your blood pressure is still too high. The typical dose of nadolol (Corgard)ranges from 40 mg to 80 mg once daily. The maximum dose is 320 mg daily.
Chest pain: Most people start with 40 mg of nadolol (Corgard) by mouth once daily. Your healthcare provider will raise your dose every few days if needed, based on your symptoms. The typical dose of nadolol (Corgard) ranges from 40 mg to 80 mg once daily. The maximum dose is 240 mg once daily.
Your dose might differ if you have kidney problems.
Interactions between Nadolol (Corgard) and other drugs
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
Asthma
Certain serious heart conditions, such as heart failure with symptoms that aren't under control
What are alternatives to Nadolol (Corgard)?
High blood pressure (hypertension)
Chest pain (angina)
Chronic chest pain
Atrial fibrillation (A.Fib)
Heart protection after a heart attack
Tremors
Pheochromocytoma (a rare tumor of the adrenal gland)
Chest pain (angina)
Lower risk of death after heart attack
What is the latest news about Nadolol (Corgard)?
Nadolol (Corgard) images
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References
Best studies we foundAilani, J., et al. (2021). The American Headache Society consensus statement: Update on integrating new migraine treatments into clinical practice. Headache.
American Family Physician. (2000). Taking a beta blocker for your heart problem.
Jackson, J. L., et al. (2019). Beta-blockers for the prevention of headache in adults, a systematic review and meta-analysis. PLoS One.
National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute. (2022). What is heart failure?
Vue, M. H., et al. (2011). Drug-induced glucose alterations part 1: Drug-induced hypoglycemia. Diabetes Spectrum.
Zydus Pharmaceuticals USA Inc. (2023). NADOLOL tablet [package insert]. DailyMed.
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