Inderal

Inderal - Inderal LA - Propranolol

Inderal, also sold as Inderal LA, is the brand name for the prescription drug propranolol. Inderal is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Inderal blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system, a portion of the involuntary nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system stimulates the pace of the heart beat. By blocking the action of these nerves, Inderal reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Inderal also reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the heart rate and the force of muscle contraction, Inderal reduces heart muscle oxygen demand. Since angina occurs when oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply, Inderal is helpful in treating angina.

Inderal is taken by tablet and long-acting capsules orally and tablet sizes come in at 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg. Capsules sizes are 60 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, and 160 mg. Tablets and capsules should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed container. Inderal should be taken before meals or at bedtime.

Inderal is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) related to coronary artery disease. Propranolol is also useful in slowing and regulating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates (tachycardias). Other uses for propranolol include the prevention of migraine headaches and the treatment of certain types of tremors (familial or hereditary essential tremors). Propranolol is commonly used in persons with thyrotoxicosis (high blood levels of thyroid hormone) to slow down rapid heart rate and tremor.

Inderal can aggravate breathing difficulties in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. In patients with existing slow heart rates (bradycardias) and heart blocks (defects in the electrical conduction of the heart), Inderal can cause dangerously slow heart rates, and even shock. Inderal reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and can aggravate symptoms of heart failure. Calcium channel blockers, digoxin (Lanoxin), and haloperidol (Haldol) can cause lowering of blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels when administered together with Inderal. In patients with coronary artery disease, abruptly stopping Inderal can suddenly worsen angina, and occasionally precipitate heart attacks. If it is necessary to discontinue Inderal, its dosage can be reduced gradually over several weeks. Inderal can mask the early warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and should be used with caution in patients receiving treatment for diabetes. Safe use in children has not been established. It is not habit forming.

Many medicines interact with Inderal. Alcohol and aluminum containing antacids reduce the absorption of Inderal. Phenytoin (Dilantin), phenobarbital, and rifampin reduce the blood levels of Inderal. Cimetidine (Tagamet) and chlorpromazine increase the blood levels of Inderal. Inderal increases the blood levels of certain medicines such as theophylline and lidocaine.

Common side effects can include decreased sexual ability; dizziness or lightheadedness; drowsiness (slight); trouble in sleeping; unusual tiredness or weakness, anxiety and/or nervousness; changes in taste for labetalol only; constipation; diarrhea; dry, sore eyes; frequent urination for acebutolol and carteolol only; itching of skin; nausea or vomiting; nightmares and vivid dreams; numbness and/or tingling of fingers and/or toes; numbness and/or tingling of skin, especially on scalp for labetalol only; stomach discomfort; and stuffy nose.

More serious side effects that you should notify your doctor immediately of can include breathing difficulty and/or wheezing; cold hands and feet; mental depression; shortness of breath; slow heartbeat (especially less than 50 beats per minute); swelling of ankles, feet, and/or lower legs, back pain or joint pain; chest pain; confusion (especially in elderly patients); dark urine for acebutolol, bisoprolol, or labetalol; dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position; fever and sore throat; hallucinations (seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there); irregular heartbeat; red, scaling, or crusted skin; skin rash; unusual bleeding and bruising; and yellowing of the eyes or of the skin. Overdose of Inderal is serious and symptoms can include slow heartbeat; dizziness (severe) or fainting; fast or irregular heartbeat; difficulty in breathing; bluish-colored fingernails or palms of hands; and convulsions (seizures).

Overall, Inderal has proven to be a fairly safe, effective drug and serious side effects are rare. Inderal shows no ability to develop dependence with its users therefore the threat of addiction is basically non-existant. As with most drugs, Inderal should not be discontinued abruptly but rather should be done on a gradual reduction of the prescribed dosage. Keep your doctor notified of any symptoms that may result while coming off of using Inderal.