Propranolol - en beta-blockerare

About propranolol

What is propranolol used for?

Propranolol is a type of betablockerare used to treat several medical conditions such as anxiety and high blood pressure. It works on the heart and blood vessels.

Propranolol helps ease the physical symptoms of ångest, such as a fast heartbeat and trembling. Similar symptoms to these are also experienced by people with an overactive thyroid gland. Propranolol quickly relieves these types of symptoms.

It is also the beta-blocker which is commonly prescribed to help prevent migraines. Propranolol can be helpful for people who find other treatments for migraine unsuitable.

How does propranolol work?

Propranolol slows down the activity of your heart by stopping messages sent by some nerves to your heart. It does this by blocking tiny areas (called beta-adrenergic receptors) where the messages are received by your heart.

As a result, your heart beats more slowly and with less force. This allows the pressure of blood within your blood vessels to be reduced if you have högt blodtryck (hypertoni), and helps to prevent abnormally fast heart rhythms (arrhythmias).

Because your heart is using less energy, this helps to reduce chest pain if you have angina. Propranolol can also help to protect the heart following a hjärtattack.

Side effects of propranolol

The most common side effects of propranolol are:

• Feeling tired.

• Cold hands and feet.

• Feeling out of breath.

• Disturbed sleep (insomnia).

• Långsam hjärtslag.

You you also experience other common side effects such as:

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

• Reduce sexual desire (libido).

• Mood changes.

• Huvudvärk.

• Upset stomach.

You will find a full list in the manufacturer's information leaflet supplied with your medicine. The unwanted effects often improve as your body adjusts to the new medicine, but speak with your doctor or pharmacist if any of the following continue or become troublesome.

How to manage propranolol side effects

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på medicinen, tala med din läkare eller apotekare för vidare råd.

Who should not take propranolol?

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking propranolol it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Om du är gravid, försöker bli gravid eller ammar.

• If you have any problems with the way your liver works, or with the way your kidneys work.

• Om du har lågt blodtryck eller dålig cirkulation.

• Om du har astma eller någon annan andningsstörning.

• If you have high blood sugar levels (diabetes mellitus).

• Om du har ett hudproblem som kallas psoriasis.

• Om du har ett tillstånd som orsakar muskelsvaghet, kallat myasthenia gravis.

• Om du har fått veta att du har en långsam hjärtrytm eller hjärtblock (en långsam och oregelbunden hjärtrytm).

• If you have been told you have chest pain called Prinzmetal's angina (caused by spasms of your heart's blood vessels).

• Om du tar några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot ett läkemedel, eller om du någonsin har haft någon annan allvarlig allergisk reaktion.

How to take propranolol

• Read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside the pack. It will give you more information about propranolol and will provide you with a full list of the side effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Your doctor will tell you what dose of propranolol is right for you, and this information will be printed on the label of the pack to remind you.

• Take propranolol exactly as your doctor tells you to. Propranolol tablets are usually prescribed to be taken in divided doses - so you may be prescribed two, three or four doses to take each day.

  • Propranolol capsules have a more prolonged action and are prescribed to be taken once daily. Swallow the capsule whole with a drink of water - do not chew or open the capsules.

• Propranolol tablets and capsules are available in several different strengths. Each time you collect a fresh supply, it's a good idea to check the strength on the packet to make sure they are the strength you are expecting.

• Try to take your doses at the same times of day each day, as this will help you to remember to take them regularly.

• If you do forget to take a dose of propranolol, take it as soon as you remember unless your next dose is due. If your next dose is due then take the tablet/capsule which is due but leave out the forgotten one. Do not take two doses together to make up for missing one.

Få ut det mesta av din behandling

• Försök att hålla dina regelbundna möten med din läkare. Detta är så att din läkare kan följa upp din utveckling.

• Treatment with propranolol can often be long-term. Continue to take the tablets/capsules unless your doctor tells you to stop.

  • Stopping treatment suddenly can cause problems in some people, so your doctor may want you to reduce your dose gradually if this becomes necessary.

• If you are due to have an operation or dental treatment, it is important to tell the person carrying out the treatment that you are taking a beta-blocker. This is because some anaesthetics may increase the risk of unwanted effects.

• If you drink alcohol, ask your doctor for advice about taking propranolol and alcohol. Alcohol will add to the blood pressure-lowering effect of propranolol and so may not be recommended for you.

• If you have diabetes, propranolol can block the symptoms of low blood sugar. Your doctor will advise you about this.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable for you to take. Some medicines (including some cough, cold and flu remedies) may not be.

• Din läkare kan ge dig kost- och livsstilsråd om att äta en hälsosam kost, inte röka och motionera regelbundet. Om så är fallet är det viktigt att du följer de råd du får.

How to store propranolol

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.

Viktig information om alla läkemedel

Vanliga frågor

Can I take sertraline and propranolol together?

Yes, sertraline and propranolol are sometimes prescribed together. Sertraline is an antidepressant, while propranolol is a beta-blocker often used for heart conditions or to reduce anxiety symptoms like palpitations

What should you avoid when taking propranolol?

When taking propranolol, you should be careful with other medicines that affect heart rate or blood pressure, such as certain heart medications, calcium channel blockers, or some asthma inhalers. Alcohol can also increase side effects like dizziness.

Is propranolol an antidepressant?

No, propranolol is not an antidepressant. It is a beta-blocker, mainly used to treat high blood pressure, heart conditions, and sometimes anxiety symptoms like palpitations or tremors. While it can help with certain physical effects of anxiety, it does not treat the mood aspects of depression.

How quickly does propranolol work for anxiety?

Propranolol can start working for anxiety-related physical symptoms, like a racing heart or tremors, within an hour. However, it does not treat the underlying mood aspects of anxiety. Its effects are usually short-term, so it’s often taken as needed before stressful situations.

How long does propranolol last?

Propranolol usually lasts 3–6 hours, or up to 24 hours for extended-release tablets, depending on dose and individual response.