GUANADREL

Brand & Generic Names

Hylorel

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? No
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

Controls, but doesn't cure, high blood pressure.

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid or food to lessen stomach irritation. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same time each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Relaxes muscle cells of small arteries.

Time lapse before drug works:
4 to 6 hours. May need to take for lifetime.

Don't take with:
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Severe blood pressure drop; fainting; blurred vision; slow, weak pulse; cold, sweaty skin; loss of consciousness.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

In case of overdose, see Overdose section.

Common:

• Diarrhea, more bowel movements, fatigue, weakness.
• Dizziness, lower sex drive, feet and ankle swelling, drowsiness.
• Stuffy nose, dry mouth.

Infrequent:

• Rash, blurred vision, drooping eyelids, chest pain or shortness of breath, muscle pain or tremor.
• Nausea or vomiting, headache.
• Impotence, nighttime urination.

Rare:

Decreased white blood cells causing sore throat, fever.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to guanadrel.
• You have taken MAO inhibitors within 2 weeks.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have stroke or heart disease.
• If you have asthma.
• If you have had kidney disease.
• If you have peptic ulcer or chronic acid indigestion.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons. Start with small doses and monitor blood pressure frequently.

Pregnancy:
No proven harm to unborn child. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Breast-feeding:
No proven harm to nursing infant. Avoid if possible. Consult doctor.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• Due to drug's cumulative effect, dose will require adjustment to prevent wide fluctuations in blood pressure.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies.

Skin & sunlight:
No problems expected.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives, pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:
Hot weather further lowers blood pressure, particularly in patients over 60.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
ACE inhibitors*:	Possible excessive
captopril, enalapril,	potassium in blood.
Antidepressants,	Decreased effect of
tricyclic (TCA)*	guanadrel.
Antihypertensives,	Increased effect of
other*	guanadrel.
Beta-adrenergic	Increased likelihood of
blockers*	dizziness and fainting.
Carteolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Contraceptives*,	Increased side effects
oral	of oral contraceptives.
Central nervous system	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Diuretics*	Increased likelihood of dizziness
	and fainting.
Haloperidol	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Insulin	Increased insulin effect.
Loxapine	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
MAO inhibitors*	Severe high blood pressure. Avoid.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Phenothiazines*	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Rauwolfia alkaloids*	Increased likelihood of dizziness
	and fainting.
Sotalol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Sympathomimetics*	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.
Thioxanthenes*	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Trimeprazine	Decreased effect of guanadrel.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
	Avoid.
Caffeine.	Decreased effect of guanadrel.
Cocaine:	Increased risk of heart block and
	high blood pressure.
Foods:	No problems expected.
Marijuana:	Higher blood pressure. Avoid.
Tobacco:	Higher blood pressure. Avoid.