Health Centres - Inderal injection
How does it work?
Inderal injection contains the active ingredient propranolol, which is a type of medicine called a beta-blocker. 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 that occur naturally in the body. These are often referred to as the 'fight or flight' chemicals as 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. Slowing the heart rate helps to control abnormal heart beats called arrhythmias. Arrhythmias can seriously undermine the pumping action of the heart and result in inefficient blood circulation around the body. Propranolol corrects the abnormal heart beat and thus can be used to treat arrhythmias. Propranolol injection is used to provide a rapid response when arrhythmias have become an emergency situation.
Propranolol is also used to control symptoms that are associated with an overactive thyroid gland (thyrotoxicosis), such as a racing pulse, sweating and tremor. This is because it blocks the effects of adrenaline. Propranolol injection is used to give rapid control of symptoms of a condition called thyrotoxic crisis. This is a severe worsening of thyrotoxicosis symptoms that can happen following shock or injury, or due to leakage of thyroid hormone from the gland when it is being surgically removed. Propranolol helps control symptoms such as rapid heart rate, extreme nervousness and a sudden rise in the metabolic rate.
What is it used for?
- Emergency treatment of irregular heart beats (arrhythmias)
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Emergency treatment of the condition caused by excessive quantities of thyroid hormones
Warning!
- This medicine may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar such as increased heart rate, tremor and nausea. People with diabetes should carefully monitor their blood sugar.
- Treatment with this medicine should not be stopped abruptly, particularly in people with inadequate flow of blood to the heart (ischaemic heart disease).
Use with caution in
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Diabetes
- Decreased kidney function
- Decreased liver function
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Liver cirrhosis
- Conditions with poor blood circulation in the arteries of the extremities, eg Raynaud's syndrome
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Heart failure
- Slowed conduction of electrical messages between the chambers of the heart (1st degree heart block)
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High pressure in the vein taking blood from the gut to the liver
- History of severe allergic reactions (anaphylaxis)
Not to be used in
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History of asthma
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
- This medicine may have adverse effects on an unborn child and is not recommended for use in pregnancy unless considered essential by your doctor. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
- Rash
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
- History of breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock)
- A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)
- Serious defect in the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (2nd or 3rd degree heart block)
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A severe form of angina pectoris, not caused by exertion
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
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Uncontrolled heart failure
- Conditions with severe disturbance of blood circulation in the arteries of the extremities
- Increase in the acidity of the blood (metabolic acidosis)
- Prolonged fasting
- Untreated tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine may pass into breast milk. It is recommended that women who need this medicine do not breastfeed their infants. Discuss this with your doctor.
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Changes in mood
- Fatigue
- Nightmares
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Blockade of the electrical pathways which control the pumping action of the heart (heart block)
- Cold extremities, eg hands and feet
- Dizziness
- Slow heart rate (bradycardia)
- Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)
- A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
- Hair loss (alopecia)
- Worsening of the skin condition psoriasis
- Decrease in the number of platelets in the blood (thrombocytopenia)
- Deterioration of heart failure
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