What is propranolol?
Propranolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and
circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
Propranolol is used to treat tremors, angina (chest pain), hypertension (high blood
pressure), heart rhythm disorders, and other heart or circulatory conditions. It is also used to treat
or prevent heart attack, and to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
Propranolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking propranolol?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to propranolol, or if you have
asthma or certain heart conditions, especially second or third degree heart block.
If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely
use this medication. Before taking propranolol, tell your doctor if you have:
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bronchitis, emphysema, or other breathing disorders;
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diabetes;
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low blood pressure;
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a heart problem such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome,
slow heart rate, or congestive heart failure;
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depression;
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liver or kidney disease;
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a thyroid disorder;
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pheochromocytoma; or
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problems with circulation (such as Raynaud's syndrome).
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to
an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
Propranolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this
medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take propranolol?
Take propranolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in
larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your
prescription label.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Take propranolol at the same time every day.
Do not crush, chew, break, or open an extended-release capsule. Swallow the pill
whole. It is specially made to release medicine slowly in the body. Breaking or opening the pill
would cause too much of the drug to be released at one time.
To be sure you get the correct dose, measure the liquid with a marked measuring spoon or
medicine cup, not with a regular table spoon. If you do not have a dose-measuring device, ask
your pharmacist for one.
Do not skip doses or stop taking propranolol without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using propranolol.
You may need to briefly stop using propranolol before having surgery.
Propranolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may
also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise
routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store propranolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose of propranolol?
For regular (short-acting) propranolol: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If
your next dose is less than 4 hours away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next
regularly scheduled time.
For extended-release propranolol (Inderal LA, InnoPran XL and others): Take the missed
dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 8 hours away, skip the missed dose
and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time.
Do not
take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Where can I get more information about propranolol?
Your pharmacist has information about propranolol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of propranolol?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these
signs of an allergic
reaction:
hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
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fast, slow, or uneven heartbeats;
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feeling light-headed, fainting;
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feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
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swelling of your ankles or feet;
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fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash;
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nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
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depression, confusion, hallucinations; or
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cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps;
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decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an
orgasm;
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sleep problems (insomnia); or
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tired feeling.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about propranolol?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to propranolol, or if you have
asthma or certain heart conditions, especially second or third degree heart block.
Do not stop taking propranolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping
suddenly may make your condition worse.
If you need to have any type of surgery, you may need to temporarily stop using
propranolol. Be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using propranolol.
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your blood levels of propranolol.
Propranolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may
also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise
routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
What should I avoid while taking propranolol?
Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your blood levels of propranolol.
What other drugs will affect propranolol?
Tell your doctor about all other medications you use, especially:
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clonidine (Catapres);
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digitalis (digoxin, Lanoxin);
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dobutamine (Dobutrex);
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haloperidol (Haldol);
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isoproterenol (Isuprel);
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a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
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an antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Etrafon),
clomipramine (Anafranil), desipramine (Norpramin), imipramine (Janimine, Tofranil), and
others;
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
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aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory
drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), diclofenac (Cataflam,
Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), ketoprofen (Orudis), and others;
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doxazosin (Cardura), prazosin (Minipress), terazosin
(Hytrin);
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a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat),
reserpine (Serpasil), diltiazem (Cartia, Cardizem), or verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin);
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amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone), propafenone
(Rythmol), quinidine (Quinaglute, Quinidex, Quin-Release); or
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an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), fosinopril (Monopril), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril
(Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace), or trandolapril (Mavik).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with propranolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications
you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other
doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What happens if I have an overdose of propranolol?
