Type of medicine Beta-blocker
Used for High blood pressure
Angina (chest pain)
Irregular heartbeat
Anxiety
Thyroid problems
Protection of the heart following a heart attack
Prevention of migraines
Also called Bedranol SR; Beta-Prograne; Half Beta-Prograne; Half-Inderal LA; Inderal; Inderal LA; Rapranol SR, Slo-Pro; Syprol
Available as Tablet, capsule, oral liquid and injection

This belongs to the group of medicines known as beta-blockers. Inderal is used to treat a number of different problems.
High Blood Pressure: Inderal slows down the activity of the heart, decreasing blood pressure.
Angina: Inderal slows down the activity of the heart and reduces the heart's need for oxygen. This makes angina attacks less likely to occur.
Irregular Heartbeat: Normally the heartbeat is regulated by special tissues which conduct electricity. Some cases of irregular heartbeat are caused by these tissues conducting electricity too quickly. Inderal works by reducing over-activity in the conducting tissue.
Anxiety: Anxiety can cause physical symptoms such as fast heartbeat, palpitations and trembling. Inderal slows the heart rate to relieve these symptoms. (This medicine does not relieve the emotional symptoms associated with anxiety such as stress or fear, these symptoms should be treated separately).
Thyroid Problems: An overactive thyroid gland causes symptoms such as a fast or pounding heartbeat, trembling and sweating. Inderal relieves these symptoms quickly, while anti-thyroid treatment takes effect (this may be several weeks).
Protecting the heart: Taking beta-blockers after having a heart attack has been shown, in some patients, to reduce the risk of a second attack.
Migraine: The pain of a migraine attack is usually due to widening of the blood vessels on the surface of the brain. Inderal prevents this widening and thus prevents attacks.

Why is this drug prescribed?

Inderal LA and Half Inderal LA sustained release capsules contain the active ingredient propranolol hydrochloride, which is a type of drug called a beta-blocker. Propranolol is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic drug. Beta-blockers work by blocking beta receptors that are found in various parts of the body. Blocking beta receptors prevents the action of two chemicals, called noradrenaline and adrenaline, which are produced naturally by the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals, because they are responsible for the body's reaction to stressful situations. Beta receptors are found in the heart. When they are blocked by propranolol the heart is made to beat more slowly and with less force. This reduces the pressure at which the blood is pumped out of the heart and around the body. This in turn reduces blood pressure, which means that propranolol can be used to treat high blood pressure. It also reduces the energy used by the heart to pump blood around the body, and so reduces the heart's need for oxygen, which means it can also be used in the management of angina. Angina is chest pain that occurs because the heart does not get enough oxygen to meet demand, such as when doing exercise. Propranolol reduces the workload of the heart and so decreases its demand for oxygen. This helps to prevent attacks of angina. In addition to these heart related uses, propranolol can also be used to control symptoms that are associated with anxiety or an overactive thyroid gland, such as a racing pulse, sweating and tremor. This is because it blocks the effects of adrenaline. Propranolol is also used to prevent migraine, although it is not fully understood how propranolol works in this area. Inderal LA and Half Inderal LA are long-acting forms of propranolol. This means they only need to be taken once a day.

Treatments

* High blood pressure * Angina pectoris * Anxiety * Tremor without underlying cause * Management of thyrotoxicosis and thyrotoxic crisis * Preventing bleeding from varicose veins in the foodpipe that occur due to high blood pressure in the vein taking bood from the gut to the liver - usually a result of liver cirrhosis * Prevention of migraines

What side effects can this drug cause?

* Cold extremities, eg hands and feet * Slower than normal heart beat * Changes in mood * Confusion * Fatigue * Nightmares * A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness * Dizziness * Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain * Rash * Dry eyes * Visual disturbances * Low blood sugar * Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways * Hair loss * Worsening of the skin condition psoriasis * Blockade of the electrical pathways which control the pumping action of the heart * Deterioration of heart failure * Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood