Oxprénolol - un bêta-bloquant

About oxprenolol

Oxprenolol belongs to the group of medicines known as beta-blockers. It is used for a number of different problems. It is prescribed on a continuous basis to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), and to prevent angina pain and also abnormally fast heartbeats (arrhythmias). It can also be prescribed for short periods of time to ease some symptoms of anxiety.

Beta-blockers slow down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. It does this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart. As a result, your heart beats more slowly and with less force. This allows the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced if you have high blood pressure, and helps to prevent abnormally fast heart rhythms. Because your heart is using less energy, it also helps to prevent chest pain if you have angina attacks.

Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as a fast heartbeat and the sensation of having a 'thumping heart' (palpitations). Because oxprenolol slows your heart rate, it can help to ease these symptoms. Oxprenolol will not help to relieve the emotional symptoms of anxiety such as stress and fear - these will be treated separately.

Before taking oxprenolol

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine can only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking oxprenolol it is important that your doctor knows:

• Si vous êtes enceinte ou si vous allaitez.

• Si vous souffrez d'asthme ou de tout autre trouble respiratoire.

• Si vous avez des problèmes de fonctionnement du foie.

• Si vous souffrez d'hypotension ou d'une mauvaise circulation sanguine.

• Si vous souffrez de diabète (diabète sucré).

• Si vous souffrez d'un problème de peau appelé psoriasis.

• Si vous souffrez d'une maladie entraînant une faiblesse musculaire, appelée myasthénie grave.

• If you have been told you have a slow heartbeat, heart failure, or heart block (a slow and irregular heartbeat).

• Si l'on vous a dit que vous souffriez de douleurs thoraciques causées par des spasmes des vaisseaux sanguins du cœur, appelées angine de Prinzmetal.

• Si vous prenez d'autres médicaments. Cela inclut tous les médicaments que vous prenez et qui sont disponibles sans ordonnance, ainsi que les médicaments à base de plantes et les médicaments complémentaires.

• Si vous avez déjà eu une réaction allergique à un médicament, ou si vous avez déjà eu une autre réaction allergique grave.

How to take oxprenolol

• Before you start the treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about oxprenolol and will provide you with a full list of the side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take oxprenolol exactly as your doctor tells you to - the directions will be printed on the label of the pack of tablets to remind you about what the doctor said. Your dose will depend upon the type of tablets you are taking and the reason for you taking them but, as a guide, it is usual to take oxprenolol one, two, or three times daily. There are different strengths of tablet available, so each time you collect a fresh supply it is a good idea to check to make sure you receive the strength you are expecting. If you have any questions, please ask your pharmacist to advise you.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take oxprenolol either before or after meals, but try to take your doses at the same time of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take them regularly.

• If you are taking a modified-release form of oxprenolol, it is important that you swallow the tablets whole. Do not chew or crush them.

• Si vous oubliez de prendre une dose, prenez-la dès que vous vous en rendez compte (sauf s'il est presque temps de prendre la dose suivante, auquel cas ne prenez pas la dose oubliée). Ne prenez pas deux doses en même temps pour compenser une dose oubliée.

Tirer le meilleur parti de votre traitement

• Essayez de vous rendre à vos rendez-vous réguliers avec votre médecin. Il pourra ainsi vérifier vos progrès.

• Treatment with oxprenolol is usually long-term (except if you are taking it for anxiety). Continue to take the tablets unless your doctor tells you to stop. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• Si vous devez subir une opération ou un traitement dentaire, il est important d'informer la personne chargée du traitement que vous prenez un bêta-bloquant. Ceci est particulièrement important si vous êtes susceptible d'être anesthésié.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking oxprenolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of oxprenolol which will make you feel dizzy and so may not be recommended for you.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take with oxprenolol. Some medicines (including some anti-inflammatory painkillers, and cold or flu remedies) may not be.

• Votre médecin peut vous donner des conseils en matière de régime alimentaire et de mode de vie : manger sainement, ne pas fumer et faire de l'exercice régulièrement. Dans ce cas, il est important que vous suiviez ces conseils.

• If you have diabetes, oxprenolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

Can oxprenolol cause problems?

Along with their useful effects, most medicines can cause unwanted side-effects although not everyone experiences them. The table below contains some of the most common ones associated with oxprenolol. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

Si vous ressentez d'autres symptômes qui pourraient être dus aux comprimés, demandez conseil à votre médecin ou à votre pharmacien.

How to store oxprenolol

• Conservez tous les médicaments hors de la portée et de la vue des enfants.

• Conserver dans un endroit frais et sec, à l'abri de la chaleur et de la lumière directes.

Informations importantes sur tous les médicaments