Propranolol - un betabloqueante

About propranolol

What is propranolol used for?

Propranolol is a type of beta-blocker used to treat several medical conditions such as anxiety and high blood pressure. It works on the heart and blood vessels.

Propranolol helps ease the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a fast heartbeat and trembling. Similar symptoms to these are also experienced by people with an overactive thyroid gland. Propranolol quickly relieves these types of symptoms.

It is also the beta-blocker which is commonly prescribed to help prevent migraines. Propranolol can be helpful for people who find other treatments for migraine unsuitable.

How does propranolol work?

Propranolol slows down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. It does this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart.

Como resultado, el corazón late más despacio y con menos fuerza. Esto permite reducir la presión de la sangre en los vasos sanguíneos si padece hipertensión y ayuda a prevenir ritmos cardiacos anormalmente rápidos (arritmias).

Because your heart is using less energy, this helps to reduce chest pain if you have angina. Propranolol can also help to protect the heart following a heart attack.

Side effects of propranolol

The most common side effects of propranolol are:

• Me siento cansado.

• Manos y pies fríos.

• Sentirse sin aliento.

• Disturbed sleep (insomnia).

• Latidos lentos.

You you also experience other common side effects such as:

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

• Reduce sexual desire (libido).

• Cambios de humor.

• Dolor de cabeza.

• Malestar estomacal.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to manage propranolol side effects

Si experimenta cualquier otro síntoma que considere que puede deberse al medicamento, consulte a su médico o farmacéutico.

Who should not take propranolol?

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking propranolol it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Si está embarazada, esperando un bebé o en período de lactancia.

• Si tiene algún problema con el funcionamiento del hígado o de los riñones.

• Si tiene la tensión baja o mala circulación.

• Si padece asma o cualquier otro trastorno respiratorio.

• Si tiene niveles elevados de azúcar en sangre (diabetes mellitus).

• Si tiene un problema cutáneo llamado psoriasis.

• Si padece una enfermedad que causa debilidad muscular, llamada miastenia gravis.

• Si le han dicho que tiene ritmo cardiaco lento o bloqueo cardiaco (ritmo cardiaco lento e irregular).

• Si le han dicho que tiene un dolor torácico llamado angina de Prinzmetal (causado por espasmos de los vasos sanguíneos del corazón).

• Si está tomando otros medicamentos. Esto incluye cualquier medicamento que esté tomando y que pueda adquirirse sin receta, así como medicamentos a base de plantas y complementarios.

• Si ha tenido alguna vez una reacción alérgica a un medicamento, o si ha tenido alguna otra reacción alérgica grave.

How to take propranolol

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about propranolol and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Your doctor will tell you what dose of propranolol is right for you, and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.

• Take propranolol exactly as your doctor tells you to. Propranolol tablets are usually prescribed to be taken in divided doses - so you may be prescribed two, three or four doses to take each day.

  • Propranolol capsules have a more prolonged action and are prescribed to be taken once daily. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water - do not chew or open the capsules.

• Propranolol tablets and capsules are available in several different strengths. Each time you collect a fresh supply, it's a good idea to check the strength on the packet to make sure they are the strength you are expecting.

• Intente tomar las dosis a la misma hora todos los días, ya que esto le ayudará a acordarse de tomarlas con regularidad.

• If you do forget to take a dose of propranolol, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If your next dose is due then take the tablet/capsule which is due but leave out the forgotten one. Do not take two doses together to make up for missing one.

Aproveche al máximo su tratamiento

• Procure acudir a las citas periódicas con su médico. Así podrá comprobar su evolución.

• Treatment with propranolol can often be long-term. Continue to take the tablets/capsules unless your doctor tells you to stop.

  • La interrupción brusca del tratamiento puede causar problemas en algunas personas, por lo que su médico puede recomendarle que reduzca la dosis gradualmente si es necesario.

• Si va a someterse a una operación o a un tratamiento dental, es importante que informe a la persona que vaya a realizar el tratamiento de que está tomando un betabloqueante. Esto se debe a que algunos anestésicos pueden aumentar el riesgo de efectos no deseados.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking propranolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of propranolol and so may not be recommended for you.

• If you have diabetes, propranolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• Si compra algún medicamento, compruebe en la farmacia que es adecuado para usted. Algunos medicamentos (incluidos algunos remedios para la tos, el resfriado y la gripe) pueden no serlo.

• Es posible que su médico le dé consejos dietéticos y de estilo de vida sobre cómo seguir una dieta sana, no fumar y hacer ejercicio con regularidad. Si es así, es importante que siga los consejos que le den.

How to store propranolol

• Mantenga todos los medicamentos fuera del alcance y de la vista de los niños.

• Almacenar en un lugar fresco y seco, lejos del calor y la luz directos.

Información importante sobre todos los medicamentos

Preguntas más frecuentes

Can I take sertraline and propranolol together?

Yes, sertraline and propranolol are sometimes prescribed together. Sertraline is an antidepressant, while propranolol is a beta-blocker often used for heart conditions or to reduce anxiety symptoms like palpitations

What should you avoid when taking propranolol?

When taking propranolol, you should be careful with other medicines that affect heart rate or blood pressure, such as certain heart medications, calcium channel blockers, or some asthma inhalers. Alcohol can also increase side effects like dizziness.

Is propranolol an antidepressant?

No, propranolol is not an antidepressant. It is a beta-blocker, mainly used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions, and sometimes anxiety symptoms like palpitations or tremors. While it can help with certain physical effects of anxiety, it does not treat the mood aspects of depression.

How quickly does propranolol work for anxiety?

Propranolol can start working for anxiety-related physical symptoms, like a racing heart or tremors, within an hour. However, it does not treat the underlying mood aspects of anxiety. Its effects are usually short-term, so it’s often taken as needed before stressful situations.

How long does propranolol last?

Propranolol usually lasts 3–6 hours, or up to 24 hours for extended-release tablets, depending on dose and individual response.