Treatment FAQ

propranolol at one time was a common drug in the treatment of hypertension. why is this?

by Clarissa Lesch Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Continuous, oral administration of propranolol at doses which reduced the heart-rate by 25% produced a sustained decrease in portal venous pressure in cirrhotic patients with portal hypertension. This effect of propranolol might be useful in preventing recurrent bleeding due to ruptured oesophageal varices in patients with portal hypertension.

Propranolol slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It's usually prescribed for high blood pressure and other heart problems, but it can also help with the physical signs of anxiety, like sweating and shaking.

Full Answer

Is propranolol the only treatment for hypertension?

Oct 04, 2021 · Common propranolol side effects may include: dizziness, tiredness; nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps; sleep problems ( insomnia ); or. runny or stuffy nose, cough, sore throat, hoarse voice. This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

What is Propranolol used for?

A review if given of the use of propranolol in hypertension emphasizing the importance of the studies by Prichard and Gillam in 1964 and 1969. The current use of propranolol in hypertension as regards dosage, dose intervals and starting doses is also outlined. Moreover, the combined treatment with p …

Does propranolol affect the heart?

Propranolol can be used for the treatment of high blood pressure and hypertension. This drug can also help treat Angina pectoris (chest pain as a result of irregular blood flow to the heart muscles). Propranolol is also used to treat Myocardial infarctions (commonly known as heart attacks). As a drug, this compound works to lower the portal ...

Is propranolol a beta blocker?

The efficacy of a propranolol-hydralazine combination tablet was compared with that of each of its two components in the twice-daily treatment of mild to moderate essential hypertension (diastolic blood pressure: 100 to 125 mmHg). After a three-week, single-blind, placebo period, a 9- to 18-week, si …

Why is propranolol not used frequently as an antihypertensive?

Propranolol is not recommended for the treatment of high blood pressure by the Eighth Joint National Committee (JNC 8) because a higher rate of the primary composite outcome of cardiovascular death, myocardial infarction, or stroke compared to an angiotensin receptor blocker was noted in one study.

What are the most common side effects of propranolol?

Dizziness, lightheadedness, or tiredness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea/vomiting, stomach pain, vision changes, trouble sleeping, and unusual dreams may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, tell your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

What is propranolol most commonly prescribed for?

Propranolol is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly.Feb 1, 2022

Why is propranolol contraindicated in heart block?

Furthermore, since the main effect of propranolol is to decrease heart rate, it is contraindicated in those who have bradycardia (less than 60 beats per minute).Nov 20, 2021

Does propranolol lower blood pressure?

Propranolol works as well as other beta blockers for reducing blood pressure. The main difference between propranolol and other beta blockers is that it does not just affect your heart. It can affect other parts of your body too, such as your lungs.

When should you not take propranolol?

You should not use propranolol if you have asthma, very slow heart beats, or a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker). Babies who weigh less than 4.5 pounds should not be given Hemangeol oral liquid.Oct 4, 2021

What kind of drug is propranolol?

Propranolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.Aug 15, 2017

What are the effects of propranolol?

The more common side effects of propranolol can include:
  • slower heart rate.
  • diarrhea.
  • dry eyes.
  • hair loss.
  • nausea.
  • weakness or tiredness.

Which conditions are indications for the use of propranolol?

Pharmacology. Propranolol is indicated to treat hypertension. Propranolol is also indicated to treat angina pectoris due to coronary atherosclerosis, atrial fibrillation, myocardial infarction, migraine, essential tremor, hypertrophic subaortic stenosis, pheochromocytoma, and proliferating infantile hemangioma.

How does propranolol work for hypertension?

This medicine is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases the blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased to the heart.Feb 1, 2022

What is mechanism of action of propranolol in hypertension?

Among the factors that may be involved in propranolol-induced lowering of blood pressure are: (1) suppression of cardiac output, (2) inhibition of renin release, (3) diminution of tonic sympathetic outflow from the vasomotor center in the brain, (4) restoration of defective vascular relaxation and, (5) inhibition of ...

How do beta blockers treat hypertension?

Beta blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, are medications that reduce blood pressure. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline. Beta blockers cause the heart to beat more slowly and with less force, which lowers blood pressure.

Before Taking This Medicine

You should not use propranolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have: 1. asthma; 2. very slow heart beats that have caused you to faint; or 3....

How Should I Take Propranolol?

Take propranolol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label. Your doctor may occasionally change your d...

What Happens If I Miss A Dose?

For regular (short-acting) propranolol: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if your next dose is less than 4 hours a...

What Happens If I Overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms may include slow or uneven heartbeats, dizziness,...

What Should I Avoid While Taking Propranolol?

Avoid drinking alcohol. It may increase your blood levels of propranolol.See also: Propranolol and alcohol (in more detail)Avoid getting up too fas...

Propranolol Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose of Propranolol for Hypertension:Initial dose:Immediate-release: 40 mg propranolol orally 2 times a daySustained-release: 80 mg ora...

What Other Drugs Will Affect Propranolol?

Tell your doctor about all medicines you use, and those you start or stop using during your treatment with propranolol, especially: 1. a blood thin...

What drug category can propranolol be classified into?

Propranolol can be classified as a beta blocker since it works to manage abnormal heart rhythms and high blood pressure. Beta blockers work by bloc...

What are the cardiovascular issues which can be treated with propranolol?

Propranolol can be employed for the treatment of several cardiovascular problems such as: Hypertension Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy Myocardial infar...

Can propranolol be used to treat post-traumatic stress disorder?

Propranolol is currently being investigated as a potential medication for post-traumatic stress disorder (often abbreviated to PTSD). This compound...

What are the side-effects associated with the use of propranolol?

The use of propranolol can mask the symptoms of hypoglycaemia. Therefore, this drug must be used carefully by patients suffering from diabetes mell...

How does propranolol work?

Propranolol is a beta blocker that works to relax cardiac muscles by blocking the receptor sites for adrenaline and noradrenaline on the adrenergic...

Does propranolol lower blood pressure?

Propranolol blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart which slows the heart rate and decreases how hard the heart has to work to pump blood around the body, decreasing blood pressure. Propranolol has a "nonselective" action.

What is propranolol used for?

2. Upsides. May be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), either alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics or other medicines for hypertension.

Does propranolol help with tremors?

Experts are not sure how propranolol works to prevent migraines or tremors.

Does propranolol cause nightmares?

Propranolol is mainly used for blood pressure and angina control; however, it also has a role in migraine prevention and the treatment of essential tremor. Propranolol may cause vivid dreams and is not usually recommended for people with pre-existing breathing difficulties. 5. Tips.

Can you stop taking propranolol?

Medicines that interact with propranolol may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with propranolol. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does.

How does a syringe work?

It works by blocking beta-receptors. There are two types of beta receptors, beta-1 receptors (located in the heart) and beta-2 receptors (located in the bronchioles of the lungs and the arteries of skeletal muscle).

What is the best medication for depression?

Antifungals, such as fluconazole. Antihistamines, such as diphenhydramine. Bupropion, which may be used for the treatment of depression and as a stop-smoking aid.

Is propranolol a beta blocker?

Propranolol is a chemical compound which is widely used in the treatment of high blood pressure. This medication can be classified as a beta blocker. Propranolol can also be used to treat thyrotoxicosis, irregular heart rate (cardiac arrhythmia), stage fright, capillary hemangiomas, and benign tremors. Another important application of propranolol is in the prevention of migraines. Some important uses of propranolol are provided in this article.

Is propranolol addictive?

The advantage of using propranolol for the treatment of such anxiety disorders is that the side effects are fewer. Another notable advantage is that this drug is not addictive.

Can propranolol cause angina?

Abrupt cessation of propranolol therapy may result in hypertension, myocardial infarction, and angina pectoris in some patients. Paradoxical hypertension may occur in patients with pheochromocytoma, unless alpha-adrenergic blockade is already instituted.

Does propranolol cause side effects?

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention. Along with its needed effects, propranolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention. Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking propranolol:

What are the side effects of a syringe?

Side effects requiring immediate medical attention 1 Cough producing mucus 2 difficulty with breathing 3 tightness in the chest

What does it mean when your skin is red?

red, swollen skin. reddening of the skin, especially around the ears. runny nose. scaly skin. seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there. severe sleepiness. short-term memory loss. skin irritation or rash, including rash that looks like psoriasis. skin rash, hives, or itching.

What does it mean when you have a runny nose?

runny nose. scaly skin. seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there. severe sleepiness. short-term memory loss. skin irritation or rash, including rash that looks like psoriasis. skin rash, hives, or itching. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips. sweating.

What is short term memory loss?

short-term memory loss. skin irritation or rash, including rash that looks like psoriasis. skin rash, hives, or itching. sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips. sweating. swelling of the eyes, face, fingers, feet, or lower legs. swollen glands. tender, swollen glands in the neck.

Does propranolol go away?

Some side effects of propranolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine . Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension

Initial dose:#N#Immediate-release: 40 mg orally 2 times a day#N#Sustained-release: 80 mg orally once a day#N#XL sustained-release: 80 mg orally once a day at bedtime#N#Maintenance dose:#N#Immediate-release: 120 to 240 mg orally per day#N#Sustained-release: 120 to 160 mg orally per day#N#XL sustained-release: 80 to 120 mg orally once a day at bedtime#N#Maximum dose:#N#IR/SR: 640 mg orally per day#N#XR: 120 mg orally per day#N#Comments:#N#-The XL sustained-release formulation should be administered once daily at bedtime (approximately 10 PM) and should be taken consistently either on an empty stomach or with food.#N#-Dose titration should be done gradually until adequate blood pressure control is achieved.#N#-The recommended dosing is the same whether used alone or added to a diuretic.#N#-The time needed for full hypertensive response to a given dosage is variable and may range from a few days to several weeks.#N#-While twice daily dosing of the immediate release formulation is effective and can maintain a reduction in blood pressure throughout the day, some patients, especially when lower doses are used, may experience a modest rise in blood pressure toward the end of the 12 hour dosing interval.

Usual Adult Dose for Angina Pectoris

Immediate-release: Total daily doses of 80 to 320 mg orally 2 to 4 times a day have been shown to increase exercise tolerance and to reduce ischemic changes in the ECG.#N#Sustained-release: Initial dose: 80 mg orally once a day. Dosage should be gradually increased at 3 to 7 day intervals.

Usual Adult Dose for Arrhythmias

Immediate-release: 10 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day, before meals and at bedtime#N#IV: 1 to 3 mg at a rate not exceeding 1 mg/min. Sufficient time should be allowed for the drug to reach the site of action even when a slow circulation is present. A second dose may be given after 2 minutes.

Usual Adult Dose for Myocardial Infarction

Immediate-release:#N#Initial dose: 40 mg orally 3 times a day for 1 month, then increase to 60 to 80 mg orally 3 times a day as tolerated.#N#Maintenance dose: 180 mg to 240 mg orally per day in divided doses (2 to 4 times daily)#N#Maximum dose: 240 mg orally per day

Usual Adult Dose for Migraine Prophylaxis

Immediate-release:#N#Initial dose: 80 mg orally per day in divided doses#N#Maintenance dose: 160 to 240 mg orally per day in divided doses#N#Sustained-release:#N#Initial dose: 80 mg orally once a day#N#Maintenance dose: 160 to 240 mg once a day#N#Comments:#N#-The dosage should be increased gradually to achieve optimum migraine prophylaxis.

Usual Adult Dose for Benign Essential Tremor

Immediate-release:#N#Initial dose: 40 mg orally 2 times a day#N#Maintenance dose: 120 to 320 mg orally per day#N#Comments:#N#-Optimum reduction of essential tremor is usually achieved with a dose of 120 mg orally per day.#N#-Occasionally, it may be necessary to administer 240 to 320 mg orally per day.

Usual Adult Dose for Aortic Stenosis

Immediate-release: 20 to 40 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day, before meals and at bedtime#N#Sustained-release: 80 to 160 mg orally once a day#N#Use: Hypertrophic Subaortic Stenosis

How It Works

  1. Propranolol is a medicine that may be used to treat certain heart conditions, reduce essential tremor, or prevent migraine. It works by blocking beta-receptors. There are two types of beta receptor...
  2. Propranolol blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart which slows the heart rate and decreases how hard the heart has to work to pump blood around the body, decreasing blood pressure.
  1. Propranolol is a medicine that may be used to treat certain heart conditions, reduce essential tremor, or prevent migraine. It works by blocking beta-receptors. There are two types of beta receptor...
  2. Propranolol blocks beta-1 receptors in the heart which slows the heart rate and decreases how hard the heart has to work to pump blood around the body, decreasing blood pressure.
  3. Propranolol has a "nonselective" action. This means that it also blocks beta-2 receptors in the bronchioles, which can cause a narrowing of the bronchioles which may cause breathing difficulties in...
  4. Propranolol also has a membrane-stabilizing effect at higher dosages which can affect the electrical impulses of the heart, although is not thought to contribute much to its antiarrhyth…

Upsides

  1. May be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), either alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics or other medicines for hypertension.
  2. May improve the symptoms of angina and increase a person with angina's capacity to exercise.
  3. May be used in the prevention of migraine headaches.
  1. May be used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), either alone or in combination with thiazide diuretics or other medicines for hypertension.
  2. May improve the symptoms of angina and increase a person with angina's capacity to exercise.
  3. May be used in the prevention of migraine headaches.
  4. May improve symptoms of hypertrophic subaortic stenosis; however, will not change the course of the disease.

Downsides

  • If you are between the ages of 18 and 60, take no other medication or have no other medical conditions, side effects you are more likely to experience include: 1. Low blood pressure (which may be felt as dizziness upon standing); cold extremities or Raynaud's phenomenon (characterized by numbness and cold in the fingers and toes in response to cold temperatures o…
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Bottom Line

  • Propranolol is mainly used for blood pressure and angina control; however, it also has a role in migraine prevention and the treatment of essential tremor. Propranolol may cause vivid dreams and is not usually recommended for people with pre-existing breathing difficulties.
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Tips

  1. May be taken with or without food. Take exactly as directed. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without your doctor's advice.
  2. Swallow extended-release capsules whole: do not prise apart or chew.
  3. Should always be used as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction program that includes diabetes management, smoking cessation, exercise, and other drug therapies. May …
  1. May be taken with or without food. Take exactly as directed. Do not increase or decrease the dosage without your doctor's advice.
  2. Swallow extended-release capsules whole: do not prise apart or chew.
  3. Should always be used as part of a comprehensive cardiovascular risk reduction program that includes diabetes management, smoking cessation, exercise, and other drug therapies. May be used in addit...
  4. Seek immediate medical advice if you find it difficult to breathe.

Response and Effectiveness

  1. Peak concentrations are reached within six hours following administration of extended-release (ER) capsules; effects last for 24 hours following ER dosing so ER capsules may be given once daily.
  2. Propranolol is lipophilic and can cross the blood/brain barrier (a semipermeable membrane that separates blood from the fluid surrounding the brain). This means it is more likely than s…
  1. Peak concentrations are reached within six hours following administration of extended-release (ER) capsules; effects last for 24 hours following ER dosing so ER capsules may be given once daily.
  2. Propranolol is lipophilic and can cross the blood/brain barrier (a semipermeable membrane that separates blood from the fluid surrounding the brain). This means it is more likely than some water-so...
  3. When used for essential tremor, there is a wide variation in individual response, and effective dosages may range from 60mg to 320mg. May be used daily or as needed before or during social situatio...

Interactions

  • Medicines that interact with propranolol may either decrease its effect, affect how long it works for, increase side effects, or have less of an effect when taken with propranolol. An interaction between two medications does not always mean that you must stop taking one of the medications; however, sometimes it does. Speak to your doctor about how drug interactions sh…
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Further Information

  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use propranolol only for the indication prescribed. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Copyright 1996-2022 Drugs.com. Revision date: November 3, 2021. Medical Dis…
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