Propranolol Usage

Propranolol is used in the treatment of high blood pressure, chest pain (Angina), anxiety, migraine headaches and arrhythmias.

How Propranolol works

Propranolol blocks the action of certain chemical messengers on the heart and blood vessels. This effect reduces heartbeat, blood pressure, and strain on the heart following a heart attack.

Common side effects of Propranolol

Nausea, Headache, Fatigue, Dizziness, Palpitations, Abdominal pain, Breathlessness, Diarrhoea, Slow heart rate, Constipation

Expert advice for Propranolol

• Propranolol may cause dizziness and lightheadedness. To avoid this, get up slowly after sitting or lying down.
• The Propranolol may affect your blood sugar and cover up the symptoms of low blood sugar if you have diabetes.
• Propranolol may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid the use of tobacco.
• Consult your doctor whether to continue Propranolol before any scheduled surgery.
• It is not the first-choice treatment for high blood pressure according to the latest guidelines, except if you have a heart failure or heart disease.
• Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for the side-effects.

Frequently Asked Questions

Ques. Q. What is Propranolol used for?
Propranolol is used in the treatment of angina (chest pain), arrhythmias (abnormal heartbeat), heart attack, increased blood pressure, anxiety, and migraine.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol over the counter product?
Propranolol is a prescription medicine and should only be taken for the proper indication in the appropriate dose, frequency, and duration as advised by a doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAO) inhibitor?
Propranolol is not a MAO inhibitor. It belongs to a class of drugs known as beta blockers.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol safe to use?
Clinical studies have shown that Propranolol is tolerated well even in long-term use and is safe. However, the drug is not devoid of side effects and should only be taken as per the doctor’s advice.

Ques. Q. Is it safe to take Propranolol with Betahistine?
Propranolol and Betahistine can be taken together. Betahistine is given in patients with a migraine for the relief of vertigo and Propranolol is indicated for preventing the attacks of a migraine. No harmful side effects or any other clinical interactions have been seen when the two drugs are used together.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol a blood thinner?
Propranolol is not a blood thinner. It is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol a narcotic substance?
Propranolol is not a narcotic substance. It is a beta-blocker used in the treatment of diseases like hypertension and angina.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol ototoxic?
Propranolol is not associated with ototoxicity (harmful to the ear). However, if you experience any such problem while using the drug, talk to your doctor.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol a statin?
No, Propranolol is not a statin. It is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker.

Ques. Q. Is Propranolol used to treat anxiety?
Propranolol is indicated for the treatment of anxiety. However, consult your doctor for the right treatment of anxiety.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol for headaches?
Propranolol is not used for the treatment of a headache. It is used to prevent an attack of a migraine headache. However, it is not known to stop the migraine headaches once started. Consult your doctor for the proper treatment of your headache.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol for irritable bowel syndrome (IBS)?
Propranolol is not indicated in the treatment of irritable bowel syndrome (IBS). Consult your doctor for the right treatment IBS.

Ques. Q. For how long can I take Propranolol?
Propranolol is a prescription drug and should only be taken in the dose, frequency, and duration as advised by the doctor. However, clinical studies have shown that Propranolol is tolerated well in long-term use and is generally safe.

Ques. Q. Can you take Propranolol for depression?
Propranolol is not indicated for the treatment of depression. Please consult your doctor for the right treatment of depression.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol for a migraine headache?
Propranolol can be used as a to prevent an attack for migraine headaches. However, it is not known to stop the migraine headaches once started. Consult your doctor for the appropriate the appropriate therapy.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol with alprazolam?
Propranolol is not known to have any clinically meaningful interaction with alprazolam. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking both the drugs together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol with lorazepam?
Propranolol is not known to have any clinically meaningful interaction with lorazepam. However, interactions can occur. Please consult your doctor before taking both the drugs together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol without food?
Propranolol can be taken without food. However, taking the drug with food, especially high-protein food enhances the bioavailability (amount of drug which reaches the blood) of the drug.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol with aspirin?
Aspirin, especially if taken in high doses, may reduce the blood pressure lowering (antihypertensive) effect of Propranolol. Talk to your doctor before taking the two medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol with gabapentin?
Propranolol is not known to have any interactions with gabapentin. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor before taking both the medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol with amoxicillin?
Propranolol is not known to have any interaction with amoxicillin. However, interactions can occur. Talk to your doctor before taking both the medicines together.

Ques. Q. Can I take Propranolol with prednisone?
Anti-hypertensive (blood pressure lowering) effect of Propranolol may decrease if taken with prednisone as prednisone can cause sodium and water retention. Talk to your doctor before taking both the medicines together.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol cause diabetes?
Propranolol is not known to cause diabetes. However, it can interfere with insulin secretion and it can also block the sympathetic response (signs and symptoms experienced by the patient) to hypoglycemia. Talk to your doctor in case you are prescribed Propranolol and you have diabetes.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol work?
Propranolol is a nonselective beta-adrenergic receptor blocker which is used in the treatment of a variety of diseases like hypertension, angina, migraine, heart attack, tremors etc. It is a prescription drug which should only be used as per the doctor’s advice.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol make you sleepy?
Propranolol is not known to make you sleepy. It can, however, cause loss of sleep and dizziness rarely. Consult your doctor if you experience any such symptom.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol expire?
Propranolol. like any other drug, has an expiry date and should not be used beyond that period. The shelf life of Propranolol is three years.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol cause depression?
Depression is a rare side effect of Propranolol. If you experience any form of depression or associated symptoms while using the drug, consult your doctor.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol cause erectile dysfunction?
Propranolol use has been associated with erectile dysfunction (also known as impotence). Consult your doctor if you experience any such problem while using the drug.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol cause diarrhea?
Diarrhea is a rare side effect of Propranolol. Consult your doctor if you experience such problem while using the drug.

Ques. Q. Does Propranolol affect sleep?
Use of Propranolol has been associated with sleep disturbances, especially insomnia (inability to fall asleep). Consult your doctor if you experience any sleep disturbance after taking Propranolol.

Ques. Q. Can the use of Propranolol increase the blood sugar levels?
Propranolol can interfere with insulin secretion and can also block the sympathetic response (signs and symptoms experienced by the patient) to hypoglycemia. However, it is not known to significantly affect blood sugar values.