Propranolol - a beta-blocker

About propranolol

What is propranolol used for?

Propranolol belongs to the group of medicines known as beta-blockers. Propranolol which is used to treat several different medical conditions such as anxiety and high blood pressure. It works on the heart and blood vessels.

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. As a result, your heart beats more slowly and with less force. This allows the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced if you have high blood pressure (hypertension), and helps to prevent abnormally fast heart rhythms (arrhythmias). 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.

Propranolol is also prescribed to help 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.

Who cannot 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).

• If you have been told you have chest pain called Prinzmetal's angina (caused by spasms of your heart's blood vessels).

• 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

• Before you start the treatment, 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.

• Try to take your doses at the same times of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take them regularly.

• 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.

Propranolol side effects

Along with their useful effects, propranolol can cause unwanted side effects although not everyone experiences them. You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine.

The most common side effects of propranolol are:

• Me siento cansado.

• Cold hands and feet.

• Feeling out of breath.

• Disturbed sleep (insomnia).

• Slow heartbeat.

Less common side effects of propranolol are:

• Erectyle dysfunction (impotence).

• Reduce libido (sexual desire).

• Mood changes.

• Dolor de cabeza.

• Malestar estomacal.

Los efectos no deseados suelen mejorar a medida que su organismo se adapta al nuevo medicamento, pero hable con su médico o farmacéutico si alguno de los siguientes continúa o se vuelve molesto.

How to manage propranolol side effects

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

Getting the most from your propranolol treatment

• 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. Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a beta-blocker. This is because some anaesthetics may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

• 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.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. Some medicines (including some cough, cold and flu remedies) may not be.

• 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