Baratol (indoramin)

How does it work?

Baratol tablets contain the active ingredient indoramin hydrochloride, which is a type of medicine called an alpha blocker. It works by blocking alpha receptors in certain areas of the body.

Alpha receptors are found on the muscle in the walls of blood vessels. When indoramin blocks these receptors it causes the muscle in the blood vessel to relax and the blood vessel to widen. This lets the blood pass more easily through the blood vessels and hence reduces the pressure in the blood vessels. Indoramin can therefore be used to treat high blood pressure.

What is it used for?

High blood pressure with no known cause.

(Indoramin is also used to treat the symptoms of an enlarged prostate gland. See the Doralese factsheet linked at the end of this article for more information about this other use of indoramin.)

Warning!

This medicine can occasionally cause your blood pressure to drop when you move from a lying down or sitting position to sitting or standing, especially when you first start taking the medicine. This may make you feel dizzy or unsteady and may rarely cause fainting. To avoid this, take care when moving from lying down to sitting or standing, particularly if you wake up in the night - try getting up slowly. If you do feel dizzy, sit or lie down until the symptoms pass.

This medicine may cause drowsiness and dizziness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery.

You should avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine, because it may increase the absorption of indoramin from the gut and could therefore increase its effects. If you do feel sleepy or dizzy while taking this medicine this is also likely to be made worse by drinking alcohol.

If you are scheduled to have eye surgery for cataracts it is important to let your eye specialist know if you are or have been taking this medicine. This is because this type of medicine may make your pupil dilate poorly and the iris (the coloured circular part of the eye) become floppy during the procedure. The specialist needs to know if you have been taking this medicine so they can take appropriate precautions with the medicines and techniques they use during the surgery. You may be asked to stop taking this medicine for a period of time before cataract surgery. Check with your doctor.

Use with caution in

Elderly people.

Decreased kidney function.

Decreased liver function.

Epilepsy.

Parkinson's disease.

History of depression.

Not to be used in

Heart failure.

People taking monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs - see end of factsheet for more details).

This medicine is not recommended for people who have ever fainted after passing urine (micturition syncope), or who suffer from drops in blood pressure that cause dizziness when moving from lying or sitting to standing (postural hypotension).

This medicine is not recommended for use in children.

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding

Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.

This medicine is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

It is not known if this medicine passes into breast milk. It is not recommended for use during breastfeeding unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Label warnings

This medication may cause drowsiness. If affected do not drive or operate machinery. Avoid alcoholic drink.

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