Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension

Initial dose: 400 mg orally per day in 1 to 2 divided doses
Maintenance dose: 400 to 800 mg orally per day

Comments: Some patients may respond to as little as 200 mg orally per day; patients with inadequately controlled or more severe hypertension may respond to 600 mg orally twice a day or to the addition of a second antihypertensive; beta-1 selectivity diminishes with increasing dose.

Usual Adult Dose for Ventricular Arrhythmia

Initial dose: 200 mg orally twice a day
Maintenance dose: 600 to 1200 mg orally per day

Renal Dose Adjustments

CrCl less than 50 mL/min: Reduce daily dose by 50%
CrCl less than 25 mL/min: Reduce daily dose by 75%

Liver Dose Adjustments

Use with caution

Precautions

Safety and efficacy have not been established in patients younger than 18 years.

Consult WARNINGS section for additional precautions.

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Patient advice:

• Caution patients against interruption of therapy without a physician's advice.
• When discontinuing this drug, advise the patient to minimize physical activity.
• Advise patients to consult a physician if they develop signs or symptoms suggestive of impending congestive heart failure or unexplained respiratory symptoms.
• Warn patients of possible severe hypertensive reactions from concomitant use of alpha adrenergic stimulants, such as common over-the-counter nasal decongestants.
• Warn diabetic patients of the possibility of masked hypoglycemia.