• Basic Info
• Top Questions
• Clinical Info

What is this medicine?
PROPRANOLOL (proe PRAN oh lole) is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers reduce the workload on the heart and help it to beat more regularly. This medicine is used to treat high blood pressure, to control irregular heart rhythms (arrhythmias) and to relieve chest pain caused by angina. It may also be helpful after a heart attack. This medicine is also used to prevent migraine headaches, relieve uncontrollable shaking (tremors), and help certain problems related to the thyroid gland and adrenal gland.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

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What is the price of this medication and similar alternatives?

This pricing information is subject to change at the sole discretion of DS Pharmacy. This pricing information was updated 09/2009. For the most current and up-to-date pricing information, please visit www.drugstore.com. Actual costs to patients will vary depending on the use of specific retail or mail-order locations and health insurance copays.

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What side effects may I notice from receiving this medicine?
Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions like skin rash, itching or hives, swelling of the face, lips, or tongue
• breathing problems
• changes in blood sugar
• cold hands or feet
• difficulty sleeping, nightmares
• dry peeling skin
• hallucinations
• muscle cramps or weakness
• slow heart rate
• swelling of the legs and ankles
• vomiting

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• change in sex drive or performance
• diarrhea
• dry sore eyes
• hair loss
• nausea
• weak or tired

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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How should I use this medicine?
Take this medicine by mouth with a glass of water. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed. Do not stop taking except on your the advice of your doctor or health care professional.

Talk to your pediatrician regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.
NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

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What if I miss a dose?
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

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What may interact with this medicine?
Do not take this medicine with any of the following medications:

• feverfew
• phenothiazines like chlorpromazine, mesoridazine, prochlorperazine, thioridazine
• sotalol

This medicine may also interact with the following medications:

• aluminum hydroxide gel
• antipyrine
• barbiturates like phenobarbital
• cimetidine
• ciprofloxacin
• diazepam
• fluconazole
• haloperidol
• isoniazid
• medicines for cholesterol like cholestyramine or colestipol
• medicines to control heart rhythm
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for HIV
• medicines for mental depression
• medicines for migraine headache like almotriptan, eletriptan, frovatriptan, naratriptan, rizatriptan, sumatriptan, zolmitriptan
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• phenytoin
• rifampin
• teniposide
• theophylline
• thyroid medicines
• tolbutamide
• warfarin
• zileuton

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

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Who should NOT use this medication?

• Sinus bradycardia.
• Heart block greater than first degree.
• Cardiogenic shock.
• CHF (unless secondary to a tachyarrhythmia treatable with propranolol). (See Cardiac Failure under Cautions.)
• Raynaud’s syndrome.
• Malignant hypertension.
• Bronchial asthma. (See Bronchospastic Disease under Cautions.)
• Concomitant thioridazine therapy. (See Specific Drugs under Interactions.)
• Pre-excited atrial fibrillation or flutter.

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What should I watch for while using this medicine?
Visit your doctor or health care professional for regular check ups. Check your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly. Ask your health care professional what your blood pressure and pulse rate should be, and when you should contact them.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol can make you more drowsy and dizzy. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

This medicine can affect blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, check with your doctor or health care professional before you change your diet or the dose of your diabetic medicine.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or pain while you are taking this medicine without asking your doctor or health care professional for advice. Some ingredients may increase your blood pressure.

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What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?
They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• circulation problems or blood vessel disease
• diabetes
• history of heart attack or heart disease, vasospastic angina
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lung or breathing disease, like asthma or emphysema
• pheochromocytoma
• slow heart rate
• thyroid disease
• an unusual or allergic reaction to propranolol, other beta-blockers, medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

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Can I stop taking the medication if I feel better?
Even though you may feel better you should not stop taking your high blood pressure medication without first checking with your healthcare provider.

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I am on so many medications; do I have to take them all?
This is called polypharmacy—many different medications being used at the same time by one person. Sometimes, being on multiple medications is acceptable and appropriate but at other times it may be problematic. If you are receiving your medications from multiple physicians you need to ensure that they all know what medications you are taking. The best way to do this is to make a list of all the medications you are currently using, including all nutritional supplements, homeopathic remedies, vitamins and over-the-counter drugs (if possible, also include all the diseases you have been diagnosed with). Give a copy to every doctor who takes care of you so they have it on file, this way they can avoid duplicating medications and perhaps even try to consolidate some. After every doctor's visit remember to update the list accordingly. Also, as much as you possibly can, try to use the same pharmacy to fill all your prescriptions, this way any potential drug interactions can be caught and averted.

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Where can I get more information?
More Information

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