Ismelin (Guanethidine Monosulfate) Patient Information: How Should I Take the Drug at RxList

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May 27, 2012

Ismelin

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High blood pressure facts

High blood pressure (hypertension) is designated as either essential (primary) hypertension or secondary hypertension and is defined as a consistently elevated blood pressure exceeding 140/90 mm Hg.
High blood pressure is called "the silent killer" because it often causes no symptoms for many years, even decades, until it finally damages certain critical organs.
Poorly controlled high blood pressure ultimately can cause damage to blood vessels in the eye, thickening of the heart muscle and heart attacks, hardening of the arteries (arteriosclerosis), kidney failure, and strokes.
Most antihypertensive medications can be used alone or in combination. Some are used only in combination. Some are preferred over others in certain specific medical situations. And some are not to be used (contraindicated) in other situations.
Several classes of antihypertensive medications are available, including ACE i...

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Ismelin

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Please Note: This Brand Name drug is no longer available in the US.
(Generic versions may still be available.)

Ismelin Patient Information including How Should I Take

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking guanethidine (Ismelin)?

You cannot take guanethidine if you

have pheochromocytoma;
have congestive heart failure; or
are taking a monoamine oxidase inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate).

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you

have peptic ulcer disease (stomach ulcers) or another stomach disease;
have gallstones,
have kidney disease;
have any type of heart disease;
have asthma;
have ulcerative colitis;
are suffering from depression (especially if you have suicidal thoughts); or
are receiving electroconvulsive shock therapy.

You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

Guanethidine is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether guanethidine will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take guanethidine without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

Guanethidine passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant. Do not take guanethidine without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take guanethidine (Ismelin)?

Take guanethidine exactly as directed. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Take guanethidine with food or milk if it causes stomach upset.

It is important to take guanethidine regularly to get the most benefit.

Do not stop taking guanethidine suddenly without first talking to your doctor. This could cause severely high blood pressure, nervousness, and anxiety.

Your doctor may want you to have blood pressure monitoring or other medical evaluations during treatment with guanethidine to monitor progress and side effects.

Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

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