Propranololo - un beta-bloccante

About propranolol

What is propranolol used for?

Propranolol is a type of beta-bloccante 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 ansia, such as a fast heartbeat and trembling. Similar symptoms to these are also experienced by people with an ghiandola tiroidea iperattiva. Propranolol quickly relieves these types of symptoms.

It is also the beta-blocker which is commonly prescribed to help prevenire l'emicrania. 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 pressione alta (ipertensione), and helps to prevent ritmi cardiaci anormalmente veloci (aritmie).

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 attacco di cuore.

Side effects of propranolol

The most common side effects of propranolol are:

• Sensazione di stanchezza.

• Mani e piedi freddi.

• Sensazione di mancanza di respiro.

• Disturbed sleep (insomnia).

• Battito cardiaco lento.

You you also experience other common side effects such as:

• Erectile dysfunction (impotence).

• Reduce sexual desire (libido).

• Cambiamenti d'umore.

• Mal di testa.

• Mal di stomaco.

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

Se si verificano altri sintomi che ritieni possano essere dovuti al medicinale, parla con il tuo medico o farmacista per ulteriori consigli.

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:

• Se sei incinta, stai cercando di avere un bambino o stai allattando.

• Se hai problemi con il funzionamento del tuo fegato o con il funzionamento dei tuoi reni.

• Se hai la pressione bassa o una cattiva circolazione.

• Se hai l'asma o qualsiasi altro disturbo respiratorio.

• Se hai livelli elevati di zucchero nel sangue (diabete mellito).

• Se hai un problema della pelle chiamato psoriasi.

• Se hai una condizione che causa debolezza muscolare, chiamata miastenia grave.

• Se ti è stato detto che hai un battito cardiaco lento o un blocco cardiaco (un battito cardiaco lento e irregolare).

• Se ti è stato detto che hai un dolore toracico chiamato angina di Prinzmetal (causato da spasmi dei vasi sanguigni del tuo cuore).

• Se stai assumendo altri medicinali. Questo include qualsiasi medicinale che stai assumendo e che è disponibile per l'acquisto senza prescrizione medica, così come i medicinali a base di erbe e complementari.

• Se hai mai avuto una reazione allergica a un medicinale, o se hai mai avuto un'altra reazione allergica grave.

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. Non prendere due dosi insieme per compensare una dimenticata.

Ottenere il massimo dal tuo trattamento

• Cerca di mantenere i tuoi appuntamenti regolari con il tuo medico. Questo è per permettere al tuo medico di controllare i tuoi progressi.

• 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.

• Se devi sottoporti a un'operazione o a un trattamento dentale, è importante informare la persona che esegue il trattamento che stai assumendo un beta-bloccante. Questo perché alcuni anestetici possono aumentare il rischio di effetti indesiderati.

• 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.

• Se acquisti dei medicinali, verifica con un farmacista che siano adatti per te. Alcuni medicinali (inclusi alcuni rimedi per tosse, raffreddore e influenza) potrebbero non esserlo.

• Il tuo medico potrebbe darti consigli dietetici e sullo stile di vita riguardo a mangiare in modo sano, non fumare e fare esercizio fisico regolare. In tal caso, è importante che segui i consigli che ti vengono dati.

How to store propranolol

• Tenere tutti i medicinali fuori dalla portata e dalla vista dei bambini.

• Conservare in un luogo fresco e asciutto, lontano da fonti di calore e luce diretta.

Informazioni importanti su tutti i medicinali

Domande frequenti

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.