{"id":631342,"date":"2025-02-11T14:46:36","date_gmt":"2025-02-11T19:46:36","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=631342"},"modified":"2025-02-11T14:46:36","modified_gmt":"2025-02-11T19:46:36","slug":"propranolol-overdose","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/propranolol-overdose\/","title":{"rendered":"Can you overdose on propranolol?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Propranolol<\/span><\/a> is a generic medication that\u2019s in a class of medications called beta blockers. It\u2019s available under the brand name <\/span>Inderal<\/span><\/a> and is typically prescribed to treat high blood pressure, heart disease, and essential tremor. It\u2019s also approved to prevent migraine headaches. Although it\u2019s effective for various health conditions, it can also cause serious issues when it\u2019s not taken as instructed.<\/span><\/p>\n

Can you overdose on propranolol?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Yes, it\u2019s possible to overdose on propranolol. A plasma concentration higher than 2 micrograms per milliliter (\u03bcg\/mL) is considered toxic, and concentrations higher than 3 \u03bcg\/mL are fatal. Overdose is not particularly common, but still possible when propranolol is taken in ways other than how it\u2019s prescribed.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

How beta blocker overdose happens<\/span><\/h2>\n

Propranolol is a <\/span>beta blocker<\/span><\/a>, a class of medications that <\/span>work by preventing beta receptors<\/span><\/a> from being stimulated by the stress hormones epinephrine and noradrenaline. As a result, the stress hormones are limited in increasing blood pressure and heart rate. But ingesting too much can cause serious consequences. The following are some ways that a beta blocker overdose from drugs like propranolol could occur.<\/span><\/p>\n

Not taking it as prescribed<\/span><\/h3>\n

Many times, beta blocker self-poisoning is accidental, a result of failing to follow the healthcare provider and pharmacist\u2019s instructions. \u201cAs propranolol is often dosed two to three times a day, it can be hard to keep track of and remember whether one already took their dose or not. It happens to the best of us! This however can result in patients accidentally doubling up on a dose that had already been taken,\u201d says <\/span>Cooper Stone<\/span><\/a>, DO, a psychiatrist in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania<\/span>. \u201cSimilarly, it can be difficult to take one\u2019s medications perfectly timed evenly throughout the day. Therefore sometimes doses may be less spaced than otherwise advised.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Although someone who forgets a dose might also try to take two doses to make up for it, this can be dangerous since it means ingesting twice as much as necessary. If you forget to take a dose of propranolol or another beta blocker, simply take the next dose at the normal time instead.<\/span><\/p>\n

\u201cThe risk of toxicity will depend in large part on the dose that is being prescribed and how well acclimated the patient is to the medication,\u201d Dr. Stone says. \u201cAccidentally doubling up on two 10 mg pills is less worrisome than doing the same for two 80 mg pills.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n

Drug interactions<\/span><\/h3>\n

Propranolol may also <\/span>interact with certain drugs<\/span><\/a>, making overdose or serious side effects more likely. Dr. Stone says that accidental overdose can occur if a patient starts taking a medication that significantly reduces the metabolism of propranolol\u2014particularly if the dose of propranolol they were taking was already high.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Some medication classes that can increase the level or effect of propranolol include:<\/span><\/p>\n