Propranolol is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Lowering blood pressure may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.

Propranolol is also used to treat severe chest pain (angina), migraine headaches, or hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (thickened heart muscle).

This medicine may also be used to treat irregular heartbeats, tremors, or pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor). It may also be used to reduce the risk of death in patients who have heart attacks.

Propranolol oral solution is used to treat proliferating infantile hemangioma.

This medicine is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases the blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased to the heart.

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient directions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium (salt). Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Swallow the long-acting oral capsules whole. Do not chew, crush, or open them.

Propranolol extended-release capsules should be taken at bedtime (10 p.m.). This medicine may be taken with or without food. However, you should take it the same way each time.

Measure the concentrated oral solution, Intensol™ with the dropper that comes with the package. You may mix the concentrated solution with water, juice, soda, applesauce, or pudding to make it easier to swallow, then take the mixture right away.

Measure the oral liquid with the dosing syringe that comes with the package. It should be given directly into the child's mouth, during or right after eating or breastfeeding. It may also be mixed with a small amount of milk or fruit juice and given with a baby's bottle. Do not shake before use.

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

More common

in children

Cough producing mucus

difficulty with breathing

tightness in the chest

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain and tenderness

black, tarry stools

blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin

blood in the urine

bloody nose

bloody stools

blurred or loss of vision

body aches or pain

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chest pain or discomfort

confusion about identity, place, and time

congestion

constipation

cough

cracks in the skin

crying

decreased awareness or responsiveness

decreased urine output

depersonalization

diarrhea

difficulty with swallowing

dilated neck veins

disturbed color perception

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position

double vision

dryness or soreness of the throat

dysphoria

euphoria

extreme fatigue

fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat

fever and chills

general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness

hair loss

halos around lights

headaches

heavier menstrual periods

hoarseness

irregular breathing

lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting

loss of heat from the body

mental depression

mimicry of speech or movements

muscle or joint pain

mutism

nausea

negativism

night blindness

noisy breathing

overbright appearance of lights

paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes

paranoia

peculiar postures or movements, mannerisms, or grimacing

pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

quick to react or overreact emotionally

rapidly changing moods

rectal bleeding

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, irritated eyes

red, swollen skin

reddening of the skin, especially around the ears

runny nose

scaly skin

seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there

severe sleepiness

short-term memory loss

shortness of breath

skin irritation or rash, including rash that looks like psoriasis

skin rash, hives, or itching

sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips

sweating

swelling of the eyes, face, fingers, feet, or lower legs

swollen glands

tender, swollen glands in the neck

tightness in the chest

tingling or pain in fingers or toes when exposed to cold

tunnel vision

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

voice changes

vomiting

weight gain

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

More common

in children

Anxiety

dry mouth

hyperventilation

irritability

restlessness

shaking

sleepiness or unusual drowsiness

trouble sleeping

unusual dreams

Less common

in children

Decreased appetite

Incidence not known

Dry eyes

heartburn

loss of strength or energy

muscle weakness

pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat

stomach cramps

unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness

vivid dreams

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

It is very important that your doctor check your or your child's progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly and to check for unwanted effects. .

Propranolol may cause heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you or your child are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, weight gain, or wheezing.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you or your child have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. Do not stop taking this medicine before surgery without your doctor's approval.

This medicine may cause some people to become less alert than they are normally. If this side effect occurs, do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert while taking propranolol.

Do not interrupt or stop taking this medicine without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are taking before stopping it completely. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can be dangerous.

This medicine may cause a serious type of allergic reaction called anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, or mouth while you are using this medicine.

Serious skin reactions can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, chills, cough, diarrhea, fever, itching, joint or muscle pain, red skin lesions, sore throat, sores, ulcers, or white spots in your mouth or lips, or unusual tiredness or weakness.

Propranolol will add to the effects of alcohol and other central nervous system (CNS) depressants. CNS depressants are medicines that slow down the nervous system and may cause drowsiness. Some examples of CNS depressants are antihistamines or medicine for hay fever, allergies, or colds, sedatives, tranquilizers, or sleeping medicine, prescription pain medicine or narcotics, barbiturates or medicine for seizures, muscle relaxants, or anesthetics, including some dental anesthetics. Check with your doctor before taking any of the above while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may increase risk of stroke in PHACE syndrome patients with severe blood vessel problems in the brain. Talk to your child's doctor about this risk.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.