What is Propranolol: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

How to take Propranolol

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

• This medicine may come with a medication guide or patient information leaflet. If you do not have one, ask your pharmacist for a copy.

• How to take propranolol tablets:

  • Take propranolol tablets with food.

  • Swallow the propranolol tablet whole.

  • Store propranolol tablets at room temperature and protect them from light, moisture, freezing, and excessive heat.

• How to take propranolol capsules:

  • Take propranolol capsules at bedtime.

  • Propranolol capsules can be taken with or without food, but they must be taken the same way each time. 

  • Swallow the capsule whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, break, or open the capsule.

  • Store propranolol capsules at room temperature, protected from light, moisture, freezing, and excessive heat.

• How to take propranolol oral solution:

  • Take the oral solution with food.

  • There is no need to shake the bottle before measuring a dose. 

  • Measure doses with the calibrated oral syringe that comes with this medicine.

  • Store propranolol oral solution at room temperature, protected from light, moisture, freezing, or excessive heat.

• How to give Hemangeol to a baby:

  • Give the baby two doses per day spaced at least 9 hours apart.

  • Always give the baby a Hemangeol dose while feeding or immediately after feeding.

  • Do not give a Hemangeol dose if the baby is vomiting, not eating, or has signs of low blood sugar.

  • There is no need to shake the bottle before measuring a dose. 

  • Insert the oral syringe into the baby’s mouth against the inside of the cheek and slowly squirt it into the mouth.

  • You can also mix the dose with milk or juice in the baby’s bottle.

  • Keep the baby upright for a few minutes after the dose has been given.

  • If the baby spits out or vomits up the dose, do not give it another dose until the next scheduled dose.

  • Store Hemangeol at room temperature, protected from light, moisture, freezing, or excessive heat.

  • Throw away the open bottle after 2 months, even if there’s some medicine left over.

What to do if you miss a dose of Propranolol

• For propranolol tablets or oral solution, take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. 

• For propranolol extended-release capsules taken once daily, take the missed dose if it has been less than 12 hours. If it has been greater than 12 hours, skip it and take the next scheduled dose.

• If a dose of Hemangeol is missed, skip the missed dose. Just give the next dose at its regularly scheduled time.

• Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Propranolol contraindications

• This medicine is not right for everyone. 

• Do not take it if you have:

  • Lung diseases, such as COPD or asthma 

  • Certain types of heart problems (heart block, sinus bradycardia, or cardiogenic shock)

  • Had an allergic reaction to propranolol 

• Hemangeol should not be given to:

  • Infants who are vomiting or not eating

  • Premature babies younger than 5 weeks of age

  • Babies weighing less than 2 kilograms

  • Infants with a slow heart rate (less than 80 beats per minute)

  • Infants with low blood pressure

  • Infants with asthma

  • Infants with high blood pressure caused by an adrenal gland tumor

  • Infants who have had an allergic reaction to propranolol

Propranolol warnings

• Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are taking propranolol.

• Your doctor may need to perform lab tests regularly to monitor the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

• Tell your doctor if you have:

  • Kidney disease

  • Liver disease

  • Breathing problems, such as bronchitis, asthma, or emphysema

  • Angina (chest pain)

  • Heart failure

  • Diabetes

  • Overactive thyroid

  • An adrenal gland tumor

  • Congenital heart problems

  • A history of severe allergic reactions

• This medicine may cause the following problems: 

  • Worsening of angina

  • Worsening of heart failure

  • Slow heart rate

  • Breathing problems

  • Stroke (in children with severe blood vessel problems in the brain)

• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Propranolol interactions

• To avoid potentially hazardous drug interactions, tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use before taking propranolol.

• Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.

• Some medicines and foods can affect how propranolol works or increase the risk or severity of side effects. Tell your doctor if you are taking:

  • Blood pressure medications

  • Drugs that treat heart rhythm abnormalities

  • NSAIDs, such as aspirin or ibuprofen

  • Drugs that treat high cholesterol

  • Steroids, such as prednisone

  • Migraine treatments called triptans

  • Drugs that treat depression

  • MAO inhibitors (MAOIs)

  • Epinephrine, a rescue medicine for severe allergic reactions or asthma attacks

  • The asthma or COPD treatment theophylline

  • The anti-seizure drugs phenytoin or carbamazepine

  • The blood thinner warfarin

  • The over-the-counter heartburn drug cimetidine

• Do not drink alcohol when taking propranolol.

Find more detailed information about propranolol interactions to avoid here.