About Propranolol

Propranolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. It's used to treat heart problems, help with some of the symptoms of anxiety and prevent migraines.

If you have a heart problem, you can take propranolol to:

treat high blood pressure
treat conditions that cause an irregular heartbeat (arrhythmia), like atrial fibrillation
help prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes
help prevent chest pain caused by angina

Propranolol can help reduce your symptoms if you have too much thyroid hormone in your body (thyrotoxicosis). You'll usually take it together with medicines to treat an overactive thyroid.

Propranolol is only available on prescription. It comes as tablets, slow-release capsules, or as a liquid that you swallow.

Key facts

Propranolol slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body.
It's usually prescribed for high blood pressure and other heart problems, but it can also help with the physical symptoms of anxiety, like sweating and shaking.
Propranolol usually starts to work in a few hours. For heart conditions or high blood pressure, propranolol can take 2 to 3 weeks to work fully.
Your first dose of propranolol may make you feel dizzy, so take it at bedtime. After that, if you do not feel dizzy, you can take it in the morning. Do not drive, cycle or operate tools or machinery if you feel dizzy.
The main side effects of propranolol are feeling dizzy or tired, cold hands or feet, difficulties sleeping and nightmares. These side effects are usually mild and do not last long.

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