Inderal Medication - Uses & Side Effects

Generic Name: Propranolol hydrochloride

PROPRANOLOL (Inderal®) belongs to a group of medicines known as beta-blockers. Beta-blockers reduce the workload on the heart and also help it to beat more regularly. High blood pressure may not make you feel sick, but it may lead to serious heart problems. Propranolol is used to treat high blood pressure. It is also used to prevent angina (chest pain) and heart attacks. It works by relaxing your blood vessels so your heart doesn't have to pump as hard. It is also used to treat abnormal heart rhythms.

Inderal Dosage

• For hypertension, the usual starting dose is 40 milligrams 2 times a day. This dose may be in combination with a diuretic. Dosages are gradually increased to between 120 milligrams and 240 milligrams per day for maintenance.
• For angina pectoris, the usual daily dosage is 80 milligrams to 320 milligrams, divided into 2, 3, or 4 smaller doses.
• For irregular heartbeat, the usual dose is 10 milligrams to 30 milligrams 3 or 4 times a day, before meals and at bedtime.

Uses of Inderal

• Inderal is used to treat tremors, angina, hypertension, heart rhythm disorders, and other heart or circulatory conditions.
• It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack, and to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
• Inderal may also be used for other conditions those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Inderal

If you are taking this medication, then discuss the side effects with your doctor. If you feel any change in intensity, then you should tell your doctor. Because only your doctor can determine if it is safe to continue using Inderal. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal cramps
• congestive heart failure
• decreased sexual ability
• difficulty breathing
• fever with sore throat
• hair loss
• headache
• light-headedness
• low blood pressure
• nausea
• rash

Warnings and precautions before taking Inderal:

• If you are allergic to propranolol or any other drugs, then you should tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• You should also tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially including cimetidine; medications for migraine headaches, asthma, allergies, colds, or pain; reserpine; and vitamins.
• If you have or have ever had asthma or other lung disease; heart, liver, or kidney disease; diabetes; severe allergies; or thyroid problems, then you should tell your doctor and pharmacist.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. So do not drive a car or operate machinery.
• If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, then you should tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking propranolol.

Drug Interaction :-

If you are taking certain drugs with Inderal, then it may decreased, increased or altered the effects of Inderal medicine. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Inderal with the following:

• Alcohol
• Calcium-blocking blood pressure drugs such as Cardizem, Procardia
• Chlorpromazine (Thorazine)
• Epinephrine (EpiPen)
• Haloperidol (Haldol)
• Insulin
• Lidocaine (Xylocaine)
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Motrin and Naprosyn
• Oral diabetes drugs such as Micronase
• Phenytoin (Dilantin)
• Rifampin (Rifadin)
• Thyroid medications such as Synthroid

Overdose

When you are taking Inderal, and you feel that overdose is suspected then contact your doctor immediately. Symptoms of an Inderal overdose may include:-

• uneven heartbeats
• shortness of breath
• bluish-colored fingernails
• dizziness
• weakness
• fainting
• seizure