Let's learn everything about the drug Propranolol in simple terms.

Has your doctor prescribed you a medicine called Propranolol? Maybe it's for high blood pressure , heart disease, or persistent chest pain ( angina ), or migraine headaches. When you hear the name of this medicine, you may have a few questions in your mind, "What does this do? What should I know when I use it?" Don't be afraid of anything. Today, we'll talk about everything you need to know about this medicine, very simply, in our language.

What kind of medicine is Propranolol?

Simply put, Propranolol is a drug that belongs to a class of drugs called beta-blockers . It works by controlling your blood pressure and heart rate . This means that when you take this drug, your heart gets a little rest. It slows down the heart rate a little and calms it down. Then the heart can pump blood throughout the body without having to work so hard.

Now, look, a person with high blood pressure 's heart is like a machine that's working very hard all the time. What Propranolol does is slow down that machine a little bit and help it work longer without getting damaged.

This is also given to people with migraines . Migraines are caused by changes in the blood vessels in the brain. So this medicine helps to relax those blood vessels and prevent migraines from occurring.

Things you should tell your doctor before taking medication

This is very important. Before you start taking Propranolol, it is essential that your doctor is aware of any other medical conditions you may have. This is so that he or she can determine the best dosage and whether or not to continue taking the medication.

If you have any of these conditions, be sure to tell your doctor:

• Diabetes : This is important to tell if you have diabetes, as this medication can sometimes mask symptoms of low blood sugar (such as rapid heartbeat and tremors).
• If you are scheduled to have surgery: If you have an upcoming surgery, tell us about it.
• Heart or blood vessel diseases: If you have a very slow heartbeat, or if you have heart failure.
• Kidney disease: If there is any weakness in the kidneys.
• Liver disease: If you have any liver disease.
• Lung or respiratory disease: Breathing difficulties such as asthma or COPD.
• Other medical conditions: Conditions such as myasthenia gravis, pheochromocytoma, or thyroid disease.
• Allergies: Tell your doctor if you have any allergies to propranolol or any other medicine, food, or dye.
• If you are pregnant or expecting a child.
• If you are a mother who is breastfeeding.

It is very important for your own safety to talk to the doctor about these things without hiding them.

How exactly do I use this medicine?

After your doctor prescribes medication for you, it is very important to know exactly how to use it.

• Swallow this medicine whole with a glass of water . Do not break, crush, or chew these capsules.
• Get into the habit of taking your medicine at the same time every day. This will help keep the medicine's effectiveness at the same level in your body.
• This can be taken before or after meals, but if you experience stomach upset, it is best to take it with food .
• Continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Never stop taking this medicine suddenly. Doing so may increase your risk of serious conditions such as chest pain and heart attack.

What to do if you miss a dose of medication?

If you forget to take a dose, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Never take a double dose.

What if I take too much medicine?

Don't even think about it, but if you accidentally take too much of this medicine, it is an emergency. Go to the Emergency Department (ETU) of your nearest hospital immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital for advice.

Other things that may interact with this medicine (Interactions)

Some medications can cause problems when taken together with Propranolol. This means that the effects of Propranolol may be reduced, increased, or the side effects may increase.

Propranolol is especially advised not to be taken with these medications:

• Thioridazine (a drug for mental illness)

Additionally, the following medications may interact with Propranolol:

• Some other medications for high blood pressure and heart disease
• Epinephrine
• Painkillers and anti-inflammatory medications (e.g. NSAIDs such as Ibuprofen, Naproxen)
• Medicines that prevent blood clotting (e.g. Warfarin)

This list is not complete. Therefore, tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking (prescribed by other doctors, over-the-counter pain relievers, vitamins, traditional medicines, Ayurvedic medicines). Also, tell your doctor if you smoke or drink alcohol.

What are the things to consider when taking the medicine?

• Regular check-ups: Go to the clinics at the scheduled times as prescribed by your doctor and check your condition. If possible, measure and record your blood pressure at home.
• Dizziness and lightheadedness: Some people may feel dizzy when standing up while using this medicine. To avoid this, do not get up suddenly, but slowly . This condition can be made worse by drinking alcohol.
• Driving and operating machinery: This medicine may affect your attention and reaction speed. Therefore, avoid driving or operating dangerous machinery until your body gets used to this medicine.
• Diabetics should be especially careful: As I mentioned earlier, Propranolol can sometimes suppress the symptoms of low blood sugar (fast heartbeat, tremors). So, if you are diabetic, check your blood sugar levels more often than usual.
• When taking other medications: If you are taking over-the-counter medications for a cough, cold, or body ache, ask your doctor before taking them, as some medications can increase your blood pressure.

Possible side effects

Like any medicine, Propranolol can cause side effects in some people. However, not everyone gets them. Most of the time, the side effects are not serious and go away after a few days as the body gets used to the medicine. Let's break these down into two parts.

If you experience anything that is not on this list that you think is unusual, talk to your doctor about it.

How to store the medicine?

• Keep away from children and pets.
• Store at room temperature (between 15-30 degrees Celsius), away from light and moisture. Keep the medicine bottle tightly closed.
• Throw away expired medicine.