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What is the most important information you should know about propranolol? |
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- Do not stop taking propranolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping the medication suddenly may result in angina (chest pain) and possibly a heart attack. The propranolol dosage may need to be reduced gradually before stopping.
- Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath.
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Propranolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.
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What is propranolol? |
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- Propranolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins).
- Propranolol is used to reduce hypertension (high blood pressure), to treat angina (chest pain), to treat irregular heartbeats, to treat migraines, to treat tremor, and to reduce the risk of a recurrent heart attack.
- Propranolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
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What should you discuss with your healthcare provider before taking propranolol? |
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Do not take Propranolol if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Taking these medicines together could result in dangerous, even fatal, irregular heartbeats.
Before taking Propranolol, tell your doctor if you have
- asthma
- heart problems such as low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heart block, sick sinus syndrome, a pacemaker, heart failure, or others
- diabetes
- depression
- thyroid disease
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- any type of circulation problems.
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How should you take propranolol? |
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- Take propranolol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each propranolol dose with a full glass of water.
- Propranolol can be taken with or without food. Each dose of Inderal/InnoPran XL should be taken in the same way, either with or without food.
- Take propranolol at the same time every day whenever possible. Inderal/InnoPran XL should be taken
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What are the possible side effects of propranolol? |
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If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking propranolol and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of the throat, swelling of the lips, tongue, or face, hives)
- wheezing or shortness of breath
- an unusually slow or irregular heart beat
- swelling of the feet or lower legs
- leg pain or cramping
- sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week)
- chest
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What other drugs will affect propranolol? |
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Do not take propranolol if you are taking thioridazine (Mellaril). Taking these medicines together could result in dangerous, even fatal, irregular heartbeats.
Before taking propranolol, tell your doctor if you are taking
- another heart medicine such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), clonidine (Catapres), or digoxin (Lanoxin),
- a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese),
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