Inderal (Propranolol)

FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS (FAQs):

What is Inderal?

Inderal is mainly prescribed to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and abnormal heartbeats. The medicine is also used to treat migraines and tremors.

Inderal belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers and contains the active ingredient propranolol. The drug works by blocking the effect of epinephrine and norepinephrine chemicals in the body. This helps to reduce heart rate, improve blood flow, lower blood pressure, and relieve strain on the heart.

Inderal also reduces tremors by blocking the nerve impulses to the muscles responsible for involuntary shaking.

Uses and Benefits of Inderal

Inderal is used to treat the following health conditions:

• High Blood pressure or hypertension

Inderal is used alone or with other antihypertensive medications to lower blood pressure.

• Angina due to Coronary artery disease

Inderal is used to reduce chest pain and increase exercise capacity in patients with angina.

• Atrial Fibrillation

Inderal helps to decrease the heart rate in patients with irregular and fast heartbeats.

• Heart Attack

Inderal helps to prevent heart attacks and reduces the risk of death from heart disease.

• Migraine

Inderal is also used to prevent migraine headaches. But the medicine is not indicated for the treatment of a migraine attack.

• Tremors

Inderal is also used to manage essential tremor that causes involuntary and rhythmic shaking. The drug is not used for the treatment of tremors caused by Parkinson's.

• Pheochromocytoma ( tumor in the adrenal gland)

Inderal is used with alpha-blockers to control high blood pressure and reduce symptoms of pheochromocytoma during tumor resection surgery.

Side effects of Inderal

Patients taking the medicine may experience some common side effects, including:

• nausea, vomiting

• diarrhea, constipation, stomach pain

• dizziness, tiredness

• decreased sex drive

• vision changes

• sleep problems

Inderal may also cause serious side effects that may require medical attention, including:

1. numbness and tingling of arms and legs,
2. blue/purple skin, cold feeling in your hands and feet
3. shortness of breath, irregular heartbeat, swelling ankles or feet, tiredness, fainting, increased thirst
4. sudden weight gain
5. decreased sexual ability
6. decreased appetite, dark urine, yellow skin, and eyes
7. depression, confusion, loss of coordination, seizures
8. unusual bleeding
9. fever and sore throat
10. rash, itching, swelling of the face, tongue, or throat, dizziness, and trouble breathing

How to take Inderal?

Inderal comes in the form of tablets in different strengths: 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg. It is taken orally 2 to 4 times daily before meals and at bedtime as prescribed by your doctor.

Patients are advised to take the tablets regularly at the same time for maximum benefit.

Drug Interactions

Inderal may interact with other medications which may increase the risk for serious side effects. Before starting the medicine, tell your doctor about all the medicines you take, especially:

• Alpha-blockers such as prazosin
• Aluminum hydroxide
• Anticholinergics such as atropine, and scopolamine
• Antipsychotic drugs such as chlorpromazine, and thioridazine
• Cimetidine
• St. John's wort
• Antidepressants such as fluoxetine, and paroxetine
• HIV drugs such as ritonavir
• Drugs for heart conditions or high blood pressure
• Antimalarial drugs such as mefloquine
• Thyroid hormones such as levothyroxine
• Anticoagulants such as warfarin
• NSAIDs such as ibuprofen and naproxen

Safety Information

• Do not take Inderal if you are allergic to any of its ingredients.

• Before taking this medication, tell your doctor about all your medical conditions, including lung problems, heart conditions, hyperthyroidism, kidney or liver disease, blood circulation problems, bleeding disorders, pheochromocytoma, depression, and myasthenia gravis.

• Do not drive or use heavy machinery after taking Inderal

• Avoid drinking alcohol while taking Inderal

• Consult about the safety and risk of the medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Reference:

• https://www.rxlist.com/inderal-drug.htm#description

• https://www.webmd.com/drugs/2/drug-6840/inderal-oral/details

• https://www.1mg.com/drugs/inderal-10-tablet-345079