Penbutolol

Pronunciation: pen-BUE-toe-lol
Generic Name: Penbutolol
Brand Name: Levatol

Do not suddenly stop taking Penbutolol. Sharp chest pain, irregular heartbeat, and sometimes heart attack may occur if you suddenly stop Penbutolol. The risk may be greater if you have certain types of heart disease. Your doctor should slowly lower your dose over several weeks if you need to stop taking it. This should be done even if you only take Penbutolol for high blood pressure. Heart disease is common and you may not know you have it. Limit physical activity while you are lowering your dose. If new or worsened chest pain or other heart problems occur, contact your doctor right away. You may need to start taking Penbutolol again.

Penbutolol is used for:

Treating mild to moderate high blood pressure. It may be used alone or with other medicines. It may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Penbutolol is a beta-blocker. It works by slowing down the heart and decreasing the amount of blood it pumps out. This decreases blood pressure, helps the heart pump more efficiently, and reduces the workload on the heart.

Do NOT use Penbutolol if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Penbutolol


• you have a very slow heartbeat, heart block, uncontrolled heart failure, or shock caused by severe heart problems


• you have asthma


• you are currently taking mibefradil

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Penbutolol:

Some medical conditions may interact with Penbutolol. Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding


• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement


• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances


• if you have or have ever had an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma); lung or breathing problems (eg, asthma, chronic bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease [COPD], emphysema); blood vessel problems; diabetes; kidney problems; low blood sugar; or an overactive thyroid


• if you have low blood pressure or a history of heart problems (eg, heart attack, slow or irregular heartbeat, heart failure, chest pain or angina), blood circulation problems, or liver problems


• if you will be having surgery

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Penbutolol. Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Antiarrhythmics (eg, flecainide), calcium channel blockers (eg, nifedipine, diltiazem, verapamil), catecholamine-depleting agents (eg, reserpine), digoxin, diuretics (eg, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide), fingolimod, mefloquine, mibefradil, or vasodilators (eg, hydralazine) because the risk of certain side effects may be increased (eg, very slow heart rate, very low blood pressure, fainting, severe dizziness, light-headedness)


• Clonidine because stopping either it or Penbutolol suddenly can lead to a severe increase in blood pressure


• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital) or indomethacin because they may decrease Penbutolol's effectiveness


• Alfuzosin, insulin, nateglinide, prazosin, or repaglinide because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Penbutolol


• Sympathomimetics (eg, albuterol) or theophyllines (eg, aminophylline) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Penbutolol


• Epinephrine because its effectiveness may be decreased and the risk of its side effects may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Penbutolol may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Penbutolol:

Use Penbutolol as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Penbutolol may be taken with or without food.


• Take Penbutolol at the same time each day.


• Continue to use Penbutolol even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Penbutolol, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Penbutolol.

Important safety information:

• Penbutolol may cause dizziness or light-headedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Penbutolol. Using Penbutolol alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.


• Penbutolol may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, light-headedness, or weakness.


• Do not suddenly stop taking Penbutolol without first checking with your doctor. If your doctor decides you should no longer use Penbutolol, you will need to stop Penbutolol gradually according to your doctor's instructions.


• It may take up to 2 weeks or longer for Penbutolol to fully work. Do not change your dose without checking with your doctor.


• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel quite "normal." Contact your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms.


• Penbutolol may mask certain signs of overactive thyroid (eg, fast heartbeat). If you have or may have overactive thyroid, do not suddenly stop taking Penbutolol. Suddenly stopping Penbutolol could worsen your condition. Discuss any questions or concerns with your doctor.


• If you have a history of any severe allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may be at risk of an even more severe allergic reaction if you come into contact with the substance that caused your allergy. Some medicines used to treat severe allergies may also not work as well while you are using Penbutolol.


• If your doctor has instructed you to check your blood pressure and heart rate regularly, be sure to do so.


• Do not take any medicines used for colds, congestion, or weight loss without first talking with your doctor or pharmacist.


• Diabetes patients - Penbutolol may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Diabetes patients - Penbutolol may mask signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid heartbeat. Be sure to watch for other signs of low blood sugar. Low blood sugar may make you anxious, sweaty, weak, dizzy, drowsy, or faint. It may also make your vision change; give you a headache, chills, or tremors; or make you more hungry. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Before having any surgical or dental procedures or receiving emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist in charge that you are receiving Penbutolol.


• Penbutolol may interfere with certain lab tests, including the glaucoma screening test. Be sure your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Penbutolol.


• Lab tests may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Penbutolol with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects, especially slow heartbeat.


• Use Penbutolol with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you plan on becoming pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Penbutolol during pregnancy. It is unknown if Penbutolol is excreted in breast milk. If you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using Penbutolol, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.

If you suddenly stop taking Penbutolol, you may experience WITHDRAWAL symptoms, including worsening chest pain along with possible heart attack.

Possible side effects of Penbutolol:

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Diarrhea; dizziness; headache; indigestion; light-headedness; nausea; tiredness; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; fainting; fever with aching and sore throat; mental or mood changes (eg, confusion, depression, short-term memory loss); severe or persistent dizziness; severe or persistent stomach pain; shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat; sudden, unexplained weight gain; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; unusual bruising or bleeding; wheezing.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Penbutolol side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include difficulty breathing; fainting; severe dizziness or light-headedness; shortness of breath; slow or irregular heartbeat; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; wheezing.

Proper storage of Penbutolol:

Store Penbutolol at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Penbutolol out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Penbutolol, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Penbutolol is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.


• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Penbutolol. If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Penbutolol resources

• Penbutolol Side Effects (in more detail)
• Penbutolol Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Penbutolol Drug Interactions
• Penbutolol Support Group
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• penbutolol Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


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