Has your little one developed a small red spot on their skin a few weeks after they were born? At first, you thought it was just a normal birthmark, but have you noticed that it gradually gets bigger, becomes rounder, and sometimes even turns dark red? As a mother, it's normal to feel a little scared and worried when you see something like this. We call this condition `Infantile Hemangioma`. The special medicine given for this is `Propranolol`. So today, let's talk about this medicine.
Simply put, what is Propranolol?
`Propranolol` is a liquid medicine that is used to treat the `Infantile Hemangioma` condition we talked about above, which is a rapidly growing birthmark on the skin of young babies. It comes as a syrup.
Imagine, this red spot is a lump formed by the collection of many small blood vessels that supply blood to that area. So, what this `Propranolol` medicine does is reduce the blood flow to that lump. Then, what happens is that the lump becomes less colored, smaller in size, and less firm. To be precise, this belongs to a class of medicines called `beta blockers`.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before giving this medicine to your baby, you should definitely mention these things when you talk to your doctor. Because if these conditions are present, the doctor will decide whether or not to give the medicine, or how to give it.
- If your baby has asthma or other breathing problems.
- Diabetes , which means having high blood sugar levels.
- If you have heart disease or a slow heartbeat.
- If you have a problem other than low blood pressure .
- If the baby has a loss of appetite or difficulty drinking milk/food.
- If a doctor has told you that you have specific medical conditions such as `PHACE syndrome` or `Pheochromocytoma`.
- If you have had a previous allergic reaction to this medicine, Propranolol, or any other medicine, food, or dye.
How should I give this medicine to the baby?
This is a very important part. You need to take this medicine exactly as the doctor prescribed, at the same time every day, at the same time.
- Correct dosage: Use only the special syringe, oral syringe, or special spoon that comes with the medicine to measure the dose. Do not measure with household teaspoons, as they are not accurate.
- Give with food: Always give this medicine to your baby during or immediately after feeding/feeding. Do not give it on an empty stomach.
- Don't stop: Don't stop taking the medication until your doctor tells you to. This treatment usually lasts for several months.
Very important: If your baby is not drinking milk/food, vomiting, or refusing food due to another illness, do not give this medicine at that time. Only give the medicine after the baby has started eating normally again. If you have any doubts about this, ask your doctor.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
If you forget to give a dose, give it as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and give the next dose at the scheduled time. Never give a double dose. Also, if your baby spits up some of the medicine after taking it, do not give the medicine again.
What if I give too much medicine?
If you have the slightest suspicion that you have given your baby more medicine than you think, do not panic and immediately call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital . Otherwise, take your baby to the nearest hospital's Emergency Treatment Unit (ETU) as soon as possible.
Side effects to be aware of when taking medication
Like any medicine, this one can have minor side effects. Some are serious, some are common. It's important to be aware of these.
| Type of side effect | Symptoms seen in the baby |
|---|---|
| Serious symptoms that you should report to your doctor immediately | |
| Allergic reactions | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, lips, tongue or throat. |
| Low blood sugar (Hypoglycemia) | Pale/blue skin or lips, sweating, frequent crying, rapid heartbeat, decreased milk intake, and coldness. |
| Heart failure | Difficulty breathing, swelling of the ankles, hands and feet, sudden weight gain, extreme fatigue. |
| Low blood pressure/slow heart rate | Blue/pale skin or lips, unusual weakness, cold hands and feet. |
| Difficulty breathing | Wheezing when breathing. |
| Symptoms that are usually not serious, but should be reported to the doctor if they persist | |
| Sleep changes | Changes in the baby's sleep pattern. |
| Stomach ache | Diarrhea or vomiting. |
How to store the medicine?
- Keep this medicine out of the reach of children and pets .
- Store at room temperature (between 20-25 degrees Celsius). Never freeze.
- Throw away any remaining medicine 2 months after opening the bottle. Also, do not use the medicine if it has passed the expiration date.
Take-Home Message
- Propranolol is a medicine used to treat rapidly growing red spots on the skin of babies (Infantile Hemangioma).
- Always give this medicine as directed by your doctor, in the prescribed amount, and with food/milk.
- If the baby is not eating or vomiting, avoid giving medicine at that time.
- Seek immediate medical attention if you experience symptoms of low blood sugar (blue skin, sweating, excessive crying), difficulty breathing, or severe allergic reactions.
- If you have any questions about your medication, never be afraid to discuss it with your doctor.
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