A Propranolol (Inderal, Inderal LA) is indeed a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system which is a part of the involuntary nervous system.
Basically, propranolol works by reducing the heart rate and is very effective in treating abnormal, rapid heart rhythms.
Similarly, it also works by reducing the force of the heart muscle contraction and lowers blood pressure that reduces the demand for heart muscle oxygen that eventually leads to better heart function.
Other Uses of Propranolol
Propranolol can be use for various purposes. In fact, aside from the ones mentioned above, Propranolol can also be used for the prevention of migraine headaches and the treatment of certain kinds of tremors like hereditary essential tremors or familial tremors. Propranolol can also be used for the treatment of thyrotoxicosis, a condition where in there is high blood levels of thyroid hormones.
Potential Side Effects
Propranolol is indeed just one of the many medications declared to be somehow safe to use. Its side effects are just mild and transitory so one can actually tolerate them in a way; perhaps.
Some of the potential side effects may indeed include: abdominal cramps, lightheadedness, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, dreaming, memory loss, fever, impotence, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, numbness, tingling, shortness of breath or wheezing, cold extremities, sore throat, paresthesia of hands, thrombocytopenic purpura, and arterial insufficiency.
Propranolol and Other Illnesses
Propranolol can actually cause some unwanted effects if taken by individuals who aside from hypertension do also have:
- Asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema as propranolol can indeed aggravate breathing difficulties.
- Problems in the heart rates like Bradycardias as propranolol can cause dangerously slow heart rates, and sometimes even worser – a shock.
- Coronary artery disease as abrupt discontinuation of propranolol can indeed worsen angina, and at times effectuate heart attacks. Thus, if in the event you need to stop using propranolol, do it gradually over several weeks. Likewise, never rush things up.
