“Nearly 1 in 3 persons in America have high blood pressure.” That’s according to Centre for Disease Control and Prevention. High blood pressure (HBP) is also known as “the silent killer”. Meaning that, it usually displays no symptoms while causing extreme damage to the body. The recommended blood pressure for humans is 120/80 mmHg. Anything above this may cause damage to the heart, blood vessels, kidneys, and other parts of your body which may cause death.

A common treatment for HBP is Propranolol - a beta blocker used to control natural chemicals such as epinephrine which directly affects the heart and blood vessels. A lowered HBP reduces the risk of strokes, heart attacks and kidney problems. Propranolol also controls conditions such as irregular heartbeats, angina, tremors and migraine headaches.

 

How to take Propranolol

Follow all instructions from your doctor carefully. Propranolol is usually taken by the mouth once daily at bedtime. Swallow capsule whole and avoid chewing or crushing it. 

Use Propranolol exactly as prescribed for you and do not stop taking it without consulting your doctor. This may cause your condition to become worse. Try to take it at the same time daily.

If you are taking other medications to control your cholesterol, take Propranolol at least an hour before taking the other medications or wait 4 hours thereafter. 

Inform your doctor of any changes that may occur while taking this medication. 

 

How to Store Propranolol

Keep all medications out of the reach of children. Store Propranolol in a tightly closed container at temperatures not exceeding 15°C and 30°C (59C – 86C). 

 

Side Effects and Safety Information

Propranolol may cause mild to severe side effects. Monitor yourselves closely and inform your doctor of any changes in your body. 

Mild side effects:

- Nausea, vomiting, 

- Dizziness, lightheadedness

- diarrhea, constipation, stomach cramps

- Sexual dysfunctions such as impotence, low sex drive, difficulty having an orgasm

- Sleep disturbances such as insomnia

- Fatigue/tiredness

 

Severe side effects:

- Irregular heartbeats

- Depression

- Disorientation/confusion

- Hallucination

- Visual changes

- Fainting

- Shortness of breath, even with mild exertion

- Swelling of the ankles, feet, face or tongue

- Upper stomach pain

- Loss of appetite

- Severe skin reaction – Itching, jaundice (yellowing of the skin and eyes), skin rashes

- Darken urine

- Unusual-colored stool

- Coldness of the hands and feet (blue fingers/toes)

- Fever, sore throat

Take precautionary measures by dressing warm as the medication may reduce blood flow to the hands and feet causing feelings of being cold. Avoid smoking as this may worsen your condition. 

Inform your doctor of your complete medical history. This medication should not be taken if:

- You have an allergic reaction to beta-blockers

- If you suffer from heart rhythm disorders such as sinus bradycardia

- Severe heart failure

- Asthma

Special monitoring is required for patients with:

- Breathing problems such as bronchitis, emphysema

- Heart failure (treated or stable type)

- Heart problems such as Wolff-Parkinson White syndrome)

- Hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid)

- Kidney disease

- Liver disease

- Blood circulation problems (Raynaud’s disease)

- Tumors

- Mental disorders

- Muscle diseases

- Diabetes

- hypotension

 

Interactions with Other Drugs

There are roughly 912 drugs and 4 categories of foods that cause mild to severe reaction with Propranolol. Inform your doctor of all prescribed or over-the-counter medication that you are taking.

Among the foods are:

- Multivitamins with minerals

- Alcohol/ethanol

- High cholesterol

 

Among the common medications are:

- Aspirin low strength

- Azilect

- Diltiazem

- Furosemide

- Gabapentin

- Geodon

- Levothyroxine

- Lorcet

- Metformin

- Mirapex

- Nexium

- Premarin

- Propylthiouracil

- Singulair

- Topamax

- Toprol-XL

- Ticor

- Zyrtec

 

Reviews

I tried almost everything to lower my blood pressure: diet, natural herbs, exercise… you name it. I just couldn’t get my BP down. Then my doctor got me on Propranolol. Soon after taking it, my BP went from 180/100 to 120/80. The nauseas and headaches went away and I’m feeling great. I still try to have a balanced diet and regular exercise, but Innopran provided the best assurance that my blood pressure remains stable no matter what.  

Vahey Ahjada, Raleigh USA

I’ve been very pleased with Propranolol for my migraines. As long as "I" remember to take it, it works very well. That’s even why I found a great online pharmacy so that I can fill my RX at any time.  I was taking one per day of 80 mg, but now I am taking two a day. The only thing is that I have to take one in the morning and one in the evening because the 160 mg was too much at one time. If you can get through the side effects and get the right amount it works well, but be sure you work with your doctor.

Lychelle Narcisse, Stockton USA

 

My migraines were terrible. I just couldn’t get rid of the splitting headaches that were even stopping me from work. I pleaded with my doctor and he gave me Propranolol. He even told me where to get it online if I preferred this. That went well, except for vomiting when I took it the first time. Now I don’t even remember what headaches were like. I only know that I never want to go back to those days. 

Kimberly Ulch Buffalo USA
 

I have hyperthyroidism and that had caused me a lot of health problems at work. I couldn’t concentrate, became extremely tired easily; had unusual appetites and the list goes on. My doctor recommended Propranolol. At first I had the side effects such as nausea and vomiting. But that came under control after 2 days. Now my thyroid is normal and all my symptoms are gone. I’m staying close to Innopran. 

Iman Ungerleider Henderson USA