Nadolol belongs to the class of medications called beta-blockers. It is used to prevent symptoms of angina (chest pain) and to treat mild-to-moderate high blood pressure. It works by relaxing blood vessels and reducing the demands on the heart.

When used to treat high blood pressure, it may be used alone or in combination with other medications.

This medication may be available under multiple brand names and/or in several different forms. Any specific brand name of this medication may not be available in all of the forms or approved for all of the conditions discussed here. As well, some forms of this medication may not be used for all of the conditions discussed here.

Your doctor may have suggested this medication for conditions other than those listed in these drug information articles. If you have not discussed this with your doctor or are not sure why you are taking this medication, speak to your doctor. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor.

Do not give this medication to anyone else, even if they have the same symptoms as you do. It can be harmful for people to take this medication if their doctor has not prescribed it.

The recommended adult dose of nadolol ranges from 40 mg to 320 mg in one daily dose, with or without food.

For the treatment of angina pectoris or high blood pressure, the recommended starting dose is 80 mg once daily. If the desired response is not achieved after one week, your doctor may increase the daily dose by 80 mg each week (e.g., in Week 1, the dose is 80 mg; in Week 2, the dose is 160 mg; etc.), until the blood pressure or chest pain is controlled.

The maximum recommended daily dose is 240 mg for treatment of angina pectoris and 320 mg for treatment of high blood pressure.

Many things can affect the dose of a medication that a person needs, such as body weight, other medical conditions, and other medications. If your doctor has recommended a dose different from the ones listed here, do not change the way that you are taking the medication without consulting your doctor.

It is important to take this medication exactly as prescribed by your doctor. If you miss a dose, skip the missed dose and continue with your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. If you are not sure what to do after missing a dose, contact your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

Store this medication at room temperature, protect it from light and moisture, and keep it out of the reach of children.

40 mg
Each round, white-to-off-white, biconvex tablet, debossed "MN" above the break line, and "40" below the break line on one side, and "pain" on the other side contains 40 mg of nadolol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

80  mg
Each round, white-to-off-white, biconvex tablet, debossed "MN" above the break line, and "80" below the break line on one side, and "pain" on the other side contains 80 mg of nadolol. Nonmedicinal ingredients: colloidal silicon dioxide, croscarmellose sodium, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and microcrystalline cellulose.

Do not take this medication if you:

• are allergic to nadolol or any ingredients of the medication
• are being treated with anesthetics that reduce the function of the heart (e.g., ether)
• are in cardiogenic shock
• have a severely slow heart rate
• have allergic rhinitis
• have asthma or a history of other obstructive airway disease
• have right ventricular failure caused by pulmonary hypertension (high blood pressure in the lungs)
• have serious heart block (second- and third-degree AV block) or sick sinus syndrome
• have uncontrolled congestive heart failure

Many medications can cause side effects. A side effect is an unwanted response to a medication when it is taken in normal doses. Side effects can be mild or severe, temporary or permanent.

The side effects listed below are not experienced by everyone who takes this medication. If you are concerned about side effects, discuss the risks and benefits of this medication with your doctor.

The following side effects have been reported by at least 1% of people taking this medication. Many of these side effects can be managed, and some may go away on their own over time.

Contact your doctor if you experience these side effects and they are severe or bothersome. Your pharmacist may be able to advise you on managing side effects.

• cold symptoms (nasal congestion, sore throat, cough)
• diarrhea
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• headache
• joint and back pain
• nausea
• nightmares and vivid dreams
• stuffy nose
• trouble sleeping
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• vision problems
• vomiting

Although most of these side effects listed below don't happen very often, they could lead to serious problems if you do not seek medical attention.

Check with your doctor as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

• cold hands and feet
• confusion (especially for seniors)
• dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position
• memory problems
• signs of breathing problems (e.g., breathing difficulty or wheezing, shortness of breath)
• signs of heart problems (e.g., fast, irregular heartbeat or pulse; chest pain; difficulty breathing)
• skin rash
• slow heartbeat (especially less than 50 beats per minute)
• swelling of ankles, feet, or lower legs

Stop taking the medication and seek immediate medical attention if any of the following occur:

• chest pain
• signs of a heart attack (e.g., chest pain or pressure, pain extending through shoulder and arm, nausea and vomiting, sweating)
• signs of a serious allergic reaction (i.e., abdominal cramps, difficulty breathing, nausea and vomiting, or swelling of the face and throat)

Some people may experience side effects other than those listed. Check with your doctor if you notice any symptom that worries you while you are taking this medication.

Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use this medication.

Breathing problems: Nadolol may make symptoms of asthma and certain other breathing problems worse. If you have asthma, other breathing problems, or a history of breathing problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Diabetes: The signs of low blood sugar may not be as noticeable when you are taking nadolol. If you have diabetes and take insulin or other medications that affect blood glucose levels, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed. It may be necessary to monitor your blood glucose levels more often when you are taking this medication.

Dizziness: Occasionally, blood pressure drops too low after taking nadolol, causing dizziness or lightheadedness. This is more likely to happen when you first start to take this medication. To reduce the likelihood of this happening, move slowly when changing from a lying or sitting position to a standing position to reduce the severity of dizziness.

Heart failure: Taking this medication if you have heart problems may cause the symptoms of heart disease to worsen. If you have heart failure or a history of heart disease, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Hyperthyroidism (high level of thyroid hormones): Nadolol may reduce the symptoms of hyperthyroidism, giving a false impression that the condition is improving. If you have hyperthyroidism, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Kidney function: Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause this medication to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have kidney problems, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Mental health: If you have a history of depression or other psychiatric illness, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Myasthenia gravis: The signs of worsening myasthenia gravis may not be as noticeable for people taking nadolol. If you have myasthenia gravis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Peripheral vascular disease: Nadolol may worsen the symptoms of diseases of the blood vessels, such as Raynaud's disease. If you have a condition involving the blood vessels, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Psoriasis: Nadolol has been related to the development or worsening of psoriasis, although how this occurs is not known. If you have psoriasis or a history of psoriasis, discuss with your doctor how this medication may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of this medication, and whether any special monitoring is needed.

Severe allergies: Nadolol may make it more difficult to treat severe allergic reactions with epinephrine. If you have allergies that are severe enough to cause anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction where swelling of the face, lips, and throat make it difficult to breathe), talk to your doctor about what to do if you have an allergic reaction.

Stopping medication: The dose of nadolol should be gradually reduced, rather than stopped suddenly. There have been reports of severe worsening of angina, and of heart attack or abnormal heart rhythms occurring for people with angina pectoris who have stopped this medication without gradually reducing the dose. Discuss the risks and benefits of stopping nadolol with your doctor.

Surgery: If you are scheduled for surgery, inform all doctors involved in your care that you take nadolol. If it is planned surgery and it is necessary to stop taking nadolol before the surgery, it should be done gradually to reduce the risk of chest pain and increased blood pressure.

Pregnancy: This medication should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking this medication, contact your doctor immediately.

Breast-feeding: This medication passes into breast milk. If you are breast-feeding and are taking nadolol, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.

Children: The safety and effectiveness of using this medication have not been established for children.

Seniors: Seniors are at an increased risk of experiencing the side effects of nadolol. The starting dose and maximum daily dose may be lower for this population.

There may be an interaction between nadolol and any of the following:

• aldesleukin
• aliskiren
• alpha-1 blockers (e.g., doxazosin, prazosin, tamsulosin)
• alpha-2 blockers (e.g., clonidine, methyldopa)
• amifostine
• amiodarone
• amphetamines (e.g., dextroamphetamine, lisdexamfetamine)
• angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors (ACEIs; e.g., captopril, ramipril)
• angiotensin II receptor blockers (i.e., irbesartan, losartan, valsartan)
• anti-psychotics (e.g., clozapine, olanzapine, quetiapine, risperidone)
• azole antifungals (e.g., itraconazole, ketoconazole, posaconazole)
• barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital)
• beta-agonists (e.g., formoterol, salbutamol, salmeterol)
• calcium channel blockers (e.g., amlodipine, diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil)
• brimonidine
• ceritinib
• cobicistat
• crizotinib
• cyclosporine
• digoxin
• dipyridamole
• disopyramide
• diuretics (water pills; e.g., furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide)
• donepezil
• dronedarone
• duloxetine
• epinephrine
• ergot alkaloids (e.g., dihydroergotamine, methysergide)
• fentanyl
• fingolimod
• galantamine
• ginger
• ginseng
• grass pollen allergen extract     
• HIV protease inhibitors (e.g., nelfinavir, ritonavir, saquinavir)
• insulin
• lacosamide
• lanreotide
• lapatinib
• levodopa
• lomitapide
• MAO inhibitors (e.g., phenelzine, moclobemide, selegiline)
• macrolide antibiotics (e.g., azithromycin, clarithromycin, erythromycin)
• mefloquine
• methylphenidate
• minoxidil
• nitrates (e.g., nitroglycerin, isosorbide dinitrate, isosorbide mononitrate)
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs; e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen)
• obinutuzumab
• octreotide
• other beta-blockers (e.g., atenolol, metoprolol, propranolol)
• ozanimod
• pasireotide
• pentoxifylline
• phosphodiesterase-5-inhibitors (e.g., sildenafil, tadalafil)
• pilocarpine
• propafenone
• quinidine
• quinine
• rifampin
• riociguat
• rivastigmine
• St. John's wort
• sacubitril
• sulfonylureas (e.g., gliclazide, glyburide,)
• theophyllines (e.g., aminophylline, oxtriphylline, theophylline)
• ticagrelor
• tipranavir
• tizanidine
• yohimbine

If you are taking any of these medications, speak with your doctor or pharmacist. Depending on your specific circumstances, your doctor may want you to:

• stop taking one of the medications,
• change one of the medications to another,
• change how you are taking one or both of the medications, or
• leave everything as is.

An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of them. Speak to your doctor about how any drug interactions are being managed or should be managed.

Medications other than those listed above may interact with this medication. Tell your doctor or prescriber about all prescription, over-the-counter (non-prescription), and herbal medications you are taking. Also tell them about any supplements you take. Since caffeine, alcohol, the nicotine from cigarettes, or street drugs can affect the action of many medications, you should let your prescriber know if you use them.