Propranolol is a prescription drug available in several forms. It is available as oral tablets, oral liquid solutions, extended-release oral capsules, and injections. It is a generic drug and does not have a brand name.
Propranolol is a beta blocker that regulates the heartbeat by reducing the workload on the heart. It has several uses, like supporting the heart function after a heart attack, managing blood pressure levels, preventing migraines, and managing thyroid issues.
Propranolol Uses
Propranolol is used to treat heart issues, prevent migraines, and some symptoms of anxiety
1. Heart Problems
If you have heart problems, propranolol will be prescribed. The propranolol benefits for heart-related issues include:
- Targeting conditions like atrial fibrillation that cause an irregular heartbeat, i.e. arrhythmia.
- Controlling high blood pressure
- Averting future heart issues like strokes and heart attacks
- Preventing chest pain caused by angina.
2. Anxiety
Propranolol benefits include treating symptoms of social as well as situational anxiety. Various physical symptoms associated with anxiety, as given below, can be minimised with propranolol:
- Shaking and tremor
- Rapid breathing
- Sweating
- Flushing
- Fast Heartbeat
Feeling nervous, tense, afraid, or worried are some of the psychological symptoms for which propranolol will not be of much help.
However, when propranolol for anxiety reduces these physical symptoms, it sometimes reduces the psychological symptoms to some extent. It also suppresses the effects of the stress hormone noradrenaline and helps in tackling these physical anxiety symptoms. 10 mg is the normal propranolol dosage for anxiety.
3. Migraines
Propranolol benefits migraines by reducing the frequency of the attacks. It is mainly used to prevent the occurrence of migraines but does not reduce the severity or duration of migraines.
Propranolol Dosage
The propranolol dosage ranges from 10 mg to 160 mg in a tablet, capsule, or liquid serving. The propranolol dosage for anxiety differs from person to person. If a 10 mg tablet or capsule does not reduce the symptoms, the dosage can be increased to 4 tablets of 10 mg before you face an anxiety attack. This propranolol dosage for anxiety can be taken thrice a day.
The propranolol dosage for migraine is 40 mg once or twice a day. This can be increased to as much as 240 mg a day if the migraines aggravate or continue.
However, the increase in dosage should only be in consultation with your doctor. You should never exceed the dosage prescribed by your doctor. Exceeding the recommended dosage can cause side effects like dizziness and blurred vision. These side effects are a result of heavy reductions in heart rate and blood pressure. It can even lead to severe heart issues.
Try not to miss any dose of propranolol. Missing a dose does not mean you double the following dose. If you cannot make up for the missed dose within the time for the next dose, you forget about it and continue with the next dose.
Precautions to be Considered When Taking Propranolol
If you are prescribed propranolol for heart-related issues, anxiety symptoms, or migraines, you should take certain precautions as mentioned below:
- One of the side effects of propranolol is drowsiness. Do not drive, use any machine, or engage in any activity that requires concentration and alertness till you understand how the drug affects you.
- Do not stop the drug without consulting your doctor. Stopping the drug suddenly can affect your heart rhythm and blood pressure, aggravate chest pain, or cause a heart attack. Your doctor will taper the dosage, extending it for weeks to prevent these effects.
- People with diabetes should take extra care while using propranolol as it lowers blood sugar. This drug will conceal the symptoms of low blood sugar and will further lower the blood sugar levels.
- If you have asthma or any breathing issues, you should refrain from using this drug as it can worsen the condition. Tell your doctor about this medical issue.
Conclusion
Propranolol is a beta-blocker that is prescribed for treating heart problems, anxiety symptoms, and migraines. The dosage prescribed will depend on the condition it is treated for and its severity. Follow the recommended dosage, as higher dosages can cause side effects like blurred vision and dizziness. Precautions, as mentioned above, have to be taken while using this drug to avoid complications and side effects.
