Inderal
Propranolol
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Inderal
Inderal is a ?-adrenergic blocking drug. It acts by slowing down the heart rate and lowering the blood pressure, thereby heart can pump more blood efficiently and reduce workload of the heart and reduce oxygen consumption. It helps the heart to work more with lesser oxygen.
Therapeutic Uses of Inderal
Inderal is used in the treatment of hypertension, prevention of angina pectoris (form of chest pain due to reduced oxygen supply in heart than required which is due to narrowing of blood vessels of heart), in the treatment of heart disease called hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. It is also used in the treatment and prevention of fast heart rate, to prevent migraine headache, treatment of tremors and also treating symptoms of adrenal gland tumors. In certain heart attack patients Inderal can increase survival rate.
Direction of use of Inderal
Inderal should be taken by mouth with food or without food ideally at the same time everyday. Antacids should not be taken within 2 hours of taking Inderal or 2 hours before taking Inderal. Keep taking Inderal even if you feel well. If you have any doubts about Inderal ask your doctor and take it as per instruction of your doctor or other health care provider.
If You Miss a Dose of Inderal
If you miss a dose of Inderal you should take it as soon as possible. If several hours have passed before you remember the missed dose than skip the missed dose and follow the regular dosing schedule. Do not take double dose at a time unless your doctor tells you to take. If you miss more than one dose successively, you should consult your doctor or other health care provider.
How to Store Inderal
Inderal should be stored at room temperature (68 to 77 degree Fahrenheit). Storage for a brief period at temperature 59 to 86 degree Fahrenheit is permitted without any problem to storage. It should be stored away from heat, moisture and light. Keep it out of reach of children. Do not store Inderal in your bathroom.
More Information About Inderal
If you have any question about Inderal, you should ask your doctor or other health care providers like pharmacist. Inderal should be taken by the patient only, for whom it is prescribed. Do not share Inderal with others.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Inderal
Do not take Inderal if you have any of the following and consult your doctor immediately:
- If you are allergic to any of the ingredients of Inderal.
- If you are a child patient of heart failure and diabetes.
- If you are suffering from asthma or Raynaud phenomenon.
- If you are you are taking mibefradil at present.
- If you are a patient of heart block or bradycardia (slow pulse rate). If you had a recent heart attack and have very low blood pressure or if you have uncontrolled heart failure or shock caused due to heart failure.
Important notes for users of Inderal:
- Inderal can hide the signs of hypoglycemia (low blood glucose) in diabetic patients. The signs of hypoglycemia are sweating, high pulse rate, tremor etc. You should keep a watch on your low blood sugar if you are a diabetic and taking Inderal. You may also get dizziness, drowsiness, fainting; change in vision (blurring of vision etc.), headache, etc. due to low blood sugar. If you have to change the dose of diabetes medication, consult your doctor.
- Inderal may cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive or perform risky works which require constant monitoring and attention until you are sure that you do not have dizziness or drowsiness with Inderal.
- You should not drink alcohol if you are taking Inderal without asking your doctor about the risks of alcohol during treatment with Inderal.
- Pregnancy and breast feeding: if you are pregnant do not take Inderal or if you become pregnant during treatment of Inderal you should consult your doctor to know about the risks of using it during pregnancy. Inderal is secreted in the breast milk and you should ask your doctor about the risk to your baby if you are breast feeding or if you are planning breast feeding to your baby, during treatment with Inderal.
- You should inform your doctor or dentist that you take Inderal before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
- Patients of high blood pressure feel tiredness at the beginning of treatment for few weeks and you should not discontinue Inderal even if you do not feel well. Ask your doctor if you develop a new symptom during treatment with Inderal.
- Signs of hyperthyroidism (increased thyroid hormones like T3 and T4) may be masked by Inderal and if you have hyperthyroidism and suddenly stop taking Inderal, it may cause signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism like high heart rate, rise in temperature etc.
- Patients with history of allergy can become more sensitive to allergens during treatment with Inderal and also may not respond to usual treatment for allergic reaction.
- Inderal may interfere with some lab tests (glaucoma screening tests) and be sure to keep all the lab appointments with your doctor and also be sure that your doctor and lab personnel know you are taking Inderal.
- Lab tests including heart function tests and blood pressure checking should be done to monitor the treatment with Inderal. These tests can also be used to monitor if there are any side effects of Inderal during treatment.
Possible Adverse Effects of Inderal
- Like any other medicine Inderal has some effects and some of the side effects are mild and common, while some of the side effects are serious and not common. Common side effects of Inderal are nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, drowsiness, dizziness, weakness, fatigue, tiredness, hallucination, vivid dreams, insomnia or sleeplessness, stomach pain, changes in vision, lightheadedness etc. If any of the common side effects become troublesome or persists for longer duration than usual, you should consult your doctor for medical help.
- If you get any of the serious side effects listed here, you should consult your doctor. Serious side effects of Inderal are severe allergic reaction, severe and persistent vomiting, stomach cramps etc. Allergic reaction is manifested by rash, hives, itching, breathing difficulty, tightness in the chest, swelling in the lips, mouth, tongue, face etc.