Inderal is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins). Inderal is used to treat tremors, angina (chest pain), hypertension (high blood pressure), heart rhythm disorders, and other heart or circulatory conditions. It is also used to treat or prevent heart attack, and to reduce the severity and frequency of migraine headaches.
Inderal acts blocking beta-adrenergic substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine), a key agent in the "sympathetic" portion of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system which is responsible for work of the heart. The medication is used to treat tremors, chest pain, hypertension, heart rhythm disorders, ischemic heart disease, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, myocardiodystrophy and other conditions.
Take orally disregarding time of your meal. Take Inderal with a full glass of water at the same time every day. Do not chew, crush, break, or open a Inderal capsule. Swallow the tab whole. Do not stop to take the medication suddenly as it may cause problems to your heart.
Do not use Inderal if you suffer from asthma or certain heart conditions, especially second or third degree heart block, liver or kidney failure. Avoid drinking alcohol. Do not stop taking the medication even if you feel better as hypertension may have no symptoms.
Sinus bradycardia, incomplete or complete atrioventricular block (problems with conduction of excitation in the excitation-conduction system of the heart), severe right and left ventricular failure, bronchial asthma and a tendency to bronchospasm, pregnancy, disorders of peripheral arterial blood flow. In patients with spastic colitis (inflammation of the colon, characterized by its contraction) administration of Inderal is not recommended.
Side effects are nausea, vomit, diarrhea, bradycardia (a slow heartbeat), dizziness allergy itchy skin, bronchospasm (contraction of bronchus). Depression is possible.
Alcohol and aluminum reduce the absorption of propranolol. Inderal increases the blood levels of theophylline and lidocaine. Phenytoin, phenobarbital, and rifampin reduce level of Inderal in blood. Cimetidine and chlorpromazine on the contrary increase the blood levels of Inderal.
If you missed a dose of short acting Inderal take the missed dose as soon as you remember but not if only about four hours remained till next dose. If so skip the missed dose and return to your schedule. If extended release Inderal dose is missed then take the missed dose the soonest but not if less than eight hours remained till next dose. Never take extra dose to compensate the missed one.
