Propranolol Side Effects
Are you taking Propranolol for anxiety? Propranolol may cause unwanted side effects that require medical attention.
Major Side Effects
If any of the following side effects occur while taking propranolol, check with your doctor immediately:
More common: - in children
- Cough producing mucus
- difficulty with breathing
- tightness in the chest
Incidence not known:
- Abdominal or stomach pain and tenderness
- black, tarry stools
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- blood in the urine
- bloody nose
- bloody stools
- blurred or loss of vision
- body aches or pain
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain or discomfort
- confusion about identity, place, and time
- congestion
- constipation
- cough
- cracks in the skin
- crying
- decreased awareness or responsiveness
- decreased urine output
- depersonalization
- diarrhea
- difficulty with swallowing
- dilated neck veins
- disturbed color perception
- dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- double vision
- dryness or soreness of the throat
- dysphoria
- euphoria
- extreme fatigue
- fast, pounding, slow, or irregular heartbeat
- fever and chills
- general feeling of discomfort, illness, or weakness
- hair loss
- halos around lights
- headaches
- heavier menstrual periods
- hoarseness
- irregular breathing
- lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
- loss of heat from the body
- mental depression
- mimicry of speech or movements
- muscle or joint pain
- mutism
- nausea
- negativism
- night blindness
- noisy breathing
- overbright appearance of lights
- paleness or cold feeling in the fingertips and toes
- paranoia
- peculiar postures or movements, mannerisms, or grimacing
- pinpoint red or purple spots on the skin
- puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
- quick to react or overreact emotionally
- rapidly changing moods
- rectal bleeding
- red skin lesions, often with a purple center
- red, irritated eyes
- red, swollen skin
- reddening of the skin, especially around the ears
- runny nose
- scaly skin
- seeing, hearing, or feeling things that are not there
- severe sleepiness
- short-term memory loss
- shortness of breath
- skin irritation or rash, including rash that looks like psoriasis
- skin rash, hives, or itching
- sores, ulcers, or white spots in the mouth or on the lips
- sweating
- swelling of the eyes, face, fingers, feet, or lower legs
- swollen glands
- tender, swollen glands in the neck
- tightness in the chest
- tingling or pain in fingers or toes when exposed to cold
- tunnel vision
- unusual bleeding or bruising
- unusual tiredness or weakness
- voice changes
- vomiting
- weight gain
Minor Side Effects
Some propranolol side effects may not need any medical attention. As your body gets used to the medicine these side effects may disappear. Your health care professional may be able to help you prevent or reduce these side effects, but do check with them if any of the following side effects continue, or if you are concerned about them:
More common: - in children
- Anxiety
- dry mouth
- hyperventilation
- irritability
- restlessness
- shaking
- sleepiness or unusual drowsiness
- trouble sleeping
- unusual dreams
Less common: - in children
- Decreased appetite
Incidence not known:
- Dry eyes
- heartburn
- loss of strength or energy
- muscle weakness
- pain or discomfort in the chest, upper stomach, or throat
- stomach cramps
- unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
- vivid dreams
Side Effects Explained
Propranolol and weight gain
While unusual, certain beta-blockers can cause weight gain. Propranolol causes your body to retain more fluid than it normally would which can lead to an increase in body weight. If you think that you are gaining weight as a result of taking Propranolol, focus on maintaining a healthy diet and keeping up on regular exercise routines to help manage weight. A proper diet and regular exercise can also help your mental health as a whole and help reduce anxiety.
Propranolol and difficulty with breathing
Propranolol has a "nonselective" action, meaning it blocks beta-2 receptors in the bronchioles, which can cause a narrowing of the bronchioles and may cause breathing difficulties in people with pre-existing lung disease or lung conditions. Propranolol can block the effects of adrenaline on your lungs, potentially making you feel short of breath. Any type of beta-blocker can cause lung muscle spasms that make it difficult to breathe.
If you are taking Propranolol for anxiety, meditation and relaxation practices can help you through feeling short of breath.
Propranolol Interactions
Propranolol with Alcohol
Propranolol and ethanol may have additive effects in lowering your blood pressure. You may experience headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate. These side effects are most likely to be seen at the beginning of treatment, following a dose increase, or when treatment is restarted after an interruption. Let your doctor know if you develop these symptoms and they do not go away after a few days or they become troublesome. Avoid driving or operating hazardous machinery until you know how the medications affect you, and use caution when getting up from a sitting or lying position. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Propranolol with Multi-Vitamins
Using propranolol together with multivitamin with minerals may decrease the effects of propranolol. Separate the administration times of propranolol and multivitamin with minerals by at least 2 hours. If your doctor does prescribe these medications together, you may need a dose adjustment or special test to safely use both medications. It is important to tell your doctor about all other medications you use, including vitamins and herbs. Do not stop using any medications without first talking to your doctor.
Propranolol with Food
Food can enhance the levels of propranolol in your body. You shoud take propranolol at the same time each day, preferably with or immediately following meals. This will make it easier for your body to absorb the medication. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking propranolol. Propranolol is only part of a complete program of treatment that also includes diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely.
Some information provided by references available at https://www.drugs.com/food-interactions/propranolol.html