Propranolol
Propranolol is a beta-blocker used for high blood pressure, angina, migraine prevention and tremors, sold here as 10mg to 80mg tablets and 40mg long-acting capsules.
Inderal La
Propranolol
40mg
Inderal La is a slow-release 40mg propranolol capsule for high blood pressure, angina and migraine prevention, sold in packs of 30, 60 or 90.
Propranolol
Propranolol
10/20/40/80mg
Propranolol tablets in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg strengths, a beta-blocker used for high blood pressure, angina and migraine prevention, sold in packs of 60 to 360.
What propranolol is used for
Propranolol is a beta-blocker, a group of medicines that slow the heart and relax blood vessels. It is used for high blood pressure, angina (chest pain from narrowed heart arteries), irregular heartbeats, certain kinds of tremor and a heart muscle condition called hypertrophic subaortic stenosis. It also prevents migraines, improves survival after a heart attack, and is sometimes taken for anxiety, where it settles the pounding heart, shaking hands and sweating that a stressful moment brings.
How propranolol works
Adrenaline and related hormones push the heart to beat harder and faster by docking onto beta receptors. Propranolol sits on those receptors, so the signal gets through only faintly: the heart slows, its contractions ease and blood pressure comes down. It blocks both beta-1 and beta-2 receptors — which is why it eases tremors and migraine, and also why it can narrow the airways in asthma.
Taking the tablets and capsules
The standard tablets are taken two to four times a day. The long-acting capsule is once a day and is swallowed whole, never split, chewed or crushed. Regular dose times matter more than anything else. If a tablet is missed, take it once you notice unless the next dose is close, and never double up. Stopping abruptly can bring on serious heart problems, so the dose is reduced gradually rather than stopped in one go. Store the pack in a cool, dry spot, out of direct sunlight.
Side effects and interactions
Tiredness, dizziness, cold hands and feet, disturbed sleep and vivid dreams come up most often; some people feel sick or get diarrhoea. A very slow pulse, wheezing or fainting needs urgent treatment. Propranolol can also hide the early signs of low blood sugar, which matters if you take insulin or other diabetes medicines. Alcohol can add to the dizziness and light-headedness, and a heavy session makes a faint more likely. Ibuprofen and naproxen can work against the blood-pressure effect, antacids containing aluminium and cimetidine interfere with it, and smoking can make the medicine less effective.
Inderal, Inderal La and plain propranolol tablets
Three products carry this ingredient here. Inderal is the branded standard tablet in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg. Inderal La is the same medicine in a long-acting capsule, sold at 40mg, and suits a once-a-day routine. Propranolol is the unbranded tablet, again in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg. Same ingredient throughout; what changes is the name on the pack, the form and the strengths on offer.
Sources
- Propranolol: MedlinePlus Drug Information — National Library of Medicine
- Migraine - symptoms, causes and treatments - Healthdirect — Healthdirect Australia
Is Propranolol available to order in Hong Kong?
Propranolol can be ordered online with delivery to Hong Kong. The range covers generic Inderal tablets in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg, generic Inderal La capsules in 40mg, and plain Propranolol tablets in 10mg, 20mg, 40mg and 80mg. A parcel that does not arrive within the delivery window, or arrives damaged, is sent again free, or refunded if that is not possible.
How much does Propranolol cost?
It depends on the product, strength and pack size. Each of the three propranolol products listed here shows its current prices in HKD or the currency you select.
Do I need a prescription to order Propranolol?
PockDose does not ask you to upload a prescription when you order propranolol. See the ordering FAQ for details.
What are the other names for propranolol?
Inderal is a brand name of propranolol, which is also sold as Bedranol, Ciplar, Dociton and Sumial. Here, propranolol can be bought online as generic Inderal and propranolol tablets. These are generics, not the original brand.
Is propranolol the same as Inderal?
Yes — Inderal is a brand name for propranolol, and the plain tablets sold beside it contain the same active ingredient. The difference is the pack: Inderal is the branded tablet, Inderal La is a long-acting capsule, and the unbranded propranolol tablets come in the same four strengths as Inderal.
What is the difference between Inderal and Inderal La?
Inderal is the standard tablet, usually taken two to four times a day. Inderal La is a long-acting capsule taken once a day and swallowed whole, so it cannot be split or chewed. Both contain propranolol, and the capsule version is sold at 40mg.
Can I drink alcohol with propranolol?
Alcohol can make the dizziness and light-headedness worse, and a heavy session raises the chance of feeling faint. Many people manage a small drink without trouble, but it is worth keeping the amount low, especially in the first weeks of taking the tablets.
Can I stop propranolol suddenly?
No — coming off it all at once can cause chest pain or a fast, irregular heartbeat, so the dose is tailed off gradually instead. That is why a repeat pack is worth ordering before the current one runs out.
Does propranolol help with anxiety?
It is sometimes used for anxiety, mainly for the physical side — a pounding heart, shaky hands and sweating before a stressful event. It works on those body symptoms rather than on the worry itself, so it is not the same as a treatment that acts on mood.