Propranolol (By mouth)

Propranolol (proe-PRAN-oh-lol)

Treats high blood pressure, angina, and atrial fibrillation (uneven heartbeat). Also prevents migraine headaches and treats tremors and proliferating infantile hemangioma. This medicine is a beta-blocker.

Brand Name(s):

Hemangeol, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL

When This Medicine Should Not Be Used:

How to Use This Medicine:

Long Acting Capsule, Liquid, Tablet

• Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
• Swallow the extended-release capsule whole. Do not crush, break, or chew it.
• Extended-release capsule: Take at bedtime. This medicine may be taken with or without food, but always take it the same way each time.
• Oral liquid: Measure your dose with the dropper that comes with the package. You may mix the liquid with water or juice to make it easier to swallow.
• Hemangeol® oral liquid: Measure the dose with the dosing syringe that comes with the package. The medicine should be given directly into the child's mouth 2 times a day (at least 9 hours apart). It is given during or right after eating or breastfeeding. Do not administer the dose if the child is not eating or vomiting. It may also be mixed with milk or fruit juice and given in a baby's bottle. Do not shake before use.
• This medicine should come with a Medication Guide. Ask your pharmacist for a copy if you do not have one.
• Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Throw away any unused Hemangeol® after 2 months.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid:

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

• Some medicines can affect how propranolol works. Tell your doctor if you are using any of the following medicines:
  • Bupropion, chlorpromazine, cimetidine, ciprofloxacin, digoxin, dobutamine, enoxamine, epinephrine, fluconazole, fluoxetine, fluvoxamine, montelukast, paroxetine, phenobarbital, phenytoin, rifampin, theophylline, thioridazine, or ticlopidine
  • Blood thinner (including warfarin)
  • Medicine to lower cholesterol (including cholestyramine, colestipol, lovastatin, pravastatin)
  • Medicine to treat depression (including MAO inhibitor, TCAs)
  • Medicine to treat heart rhythm problems (including propafenone, quinidine)
  • Medicine to treat migraine or headaches (including rizatriptan, zolmitriptan)
  • NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (including aspirin, diclofenac, ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib)
  • Other blood pressure medicine (including clonidine, diltiazem, nicardipine, nifedipine, nisoldipine, prazosin, verapamil)
  • Steroid medicine

Warnings While Using This Medicine:

• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, angina (chest pain), heart failure, breathing problems, diabetes, glaucoma, an overactive thyroid, or any medical conditions (including colds, stress, infection). Tell your doctor if you have Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or a history of severe allergic reactions.
• This medicine may cause the following problems:
  • Increased risk of heart or blood vessel problems, including a slow heart beat or low blood pressure
  • Worsening of chest pain, heart attack (if treatment is stopped suddenly)
  • Heart failure
  • Low blood sugar levels
  • An increased risk of stroke in children with PHACE syndrome (severe blood vessel problems in the brain)
• Some men who use this medicine may cause erectile dysfunction. If you have questions about this, talk to your doctor.
• Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.
• This medicine may make you dizzy, drowsy, or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you.
• Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine.
• Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible Side Effects While Using This Medicine:

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

• Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
• Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
• Change or loss of consciousness, shaking, trembling, seizures, sweating, hunger, confusion
• Chest pain, trouble breathing
• Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
• Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet
• Slow, fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat
• Unusual tiredness or weakness

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

• Change in sleeping patterns, sleepiness or drowsiness (in children)
• Diarrhea (in children)
• Feeling agitated or irritable, unusual dreams (in children)

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor

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

Last Updated: 12/4/2023