Propranolol tablet is a type of beta blocker that helps in the treatment of hypertension, chest pain, migraine attacks, irregular or fast heart beat and anxiety. It also helps prevent additional heart attacks and stomach bleeding in patients suffering from high blood pressure. Each tablet contains propranolol hydrochloride as the chief active ingredient. The chemical keeps the blood pressure in control and works by slowing down the heartbeat. The medicine is suitable for consumption by adults and children above 12 years of age. Propranolol comes in three dosage forms, 10 mg. 40 mg and 80 mg. The dosage is prescribed by the GP, depending on the severity of the condition. Do not consume the medicine and tell the GP in case you are sensitive to propranolol hydrochloride or any other ingredients of the tablet. Inform the GP in case you are intolerant to some forms of sugar. You should also refrain from taking Propranolol if you have a slow heart rate, low blood pressure or you suffer from heart conduction or rhythm problems, severe blood circulation problems, diabetes mellitus, high acidity of the blood, asthma or practice strict fasting diet. You should consult your GP if you are taking or have recently taken any other medicines. Stay away from alcohol while taking Propranolol. The tablet is not recommended for use by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Make sure that you inform the GP about your condition before starting the course of treatment is prescribed to you.
Patients taking Propranolol might experience a few side effects. However, these side effects are not common among all patients. The most common side effects are low blood pressure, slow heart rate culminating into dizziness, light-headedness, fainting or blurred vision. You can also get allergic reactions after taking the medicine. You may get itching or swelling on the face, lips, throat, or tongue, breathing difficulties, nightmares and sleeping difficulties. Consult the GP in case the severity of these side effects does not decrease over a period of time. In some cases, fatigue and cold extremities are also reported. If you experience any of these effects, you should stop the treatment and immediately talk to your GP or pharmacist. In case of any other discomfort or side effect as well, you should take immediate medical advice.
You should take Propranolol as prescribed by the GP. If you are unsure about the dose or have any other doubt, clarify it from the GP or pharmacist before taking the tablet. You should take the tablet before meals with water. Do not stop taking the tablets on your own and always talk to your GP if you feel the need to stop treatment. The tablet is suitable for adults and children over 12 years of age. In adults and children, the GP prescribes the dose as per your body weight. In case of the elderly, the dosage may be modified according to the severity of the condition. If you miss out on a dose, take it as soon as it comes to your attention. But, if considerable time has elapsed and it is the turn of the next dose, forget the missed dose and take the next dose at the normal time. Do not ever double-dose to compensate for the missed dose. Propranolol may cause sleepiness or visual disturbances in some cases. So, always check for these symptoms before driving or operating a machine. Refrain from such activities until the symptoms fade out. If, by accident, you take an overdose, you should seek immediate medical advice from your GP or nearest pharmacist. Always store the tablet below 25 degree Celsius and make sure it is out of sight and reach of children. You must read the expiry date carefully before using the medicine and if the pack is past the printed date, do not take the tablet.
Propranolol works by influencing the heartbeat of the patient in a positive manner. The chief ingredient present in the medicine, propranolol hydrochloride, works by slowing down the heartbeat. This reduces the blood pressure and thus, brings relief from the distressing symptoms. In case of certain medical conditions such as high blood pressure, anxiety, irregular heart beat and chest pain, the heart pumps blood with more force which causes the heart to beat faster than normal. This, in turn, increases the blood pressure and creates distress and discomfort for the patient. The beta blocker Propranolol helps to regulate the heart beat. It blocks the release of the stress hormones adrenaline and noradrenaline, which in turn, slows the heart beat. The slowed heart beat brings down the blood pressure as the blood is now pumped at a gentle or normal pace instead of higher force. Thus, Propranolol helps reduce the risk of certain forms of heart diseases. You should inform the doctor in case you are already taking medicines to treat insomnia, multiple sclerosis, heart diseases, depression, mental illness, hypertension, irregular heart beat, pain or stomach ulcers. These medicines might interfere with the mechanism of the action of propranolol hydrochloride.
