Propranolol how much to overdose

Publication types Case Reports. Substances Propranolol. Disposition Admit the patient to the intensive care unit for ongoing monitoring and supportive care. Answer and interpretation Cardiac arrest may occur in propranolol overdose due to sudden ventricular arrhythmias i. Call for help! If you have not yet enlisted the advice and support of a clinical toxicologist in managing this patient, then get them on the phone now!

Intubate and hyperventilate if you have not done so already. Give adrenaline — 1mg every minutes as per standard cardiac arrest algorithms. Avoid amiodarone — It will only make things worse. Consider intralipid — The role of intravenous lipid emulsion IVLE in propranolol poisoning is not clearly defined, but it may be considered in cardiac arrest refractory to other measures.

ECG manifestations: the poisoned patient. Emerg Med Clin North Am. More Tox Cases. Chris Nickson. His one great achievement is being the father of two amazing children. Leave a Reply Cancel reply. We use cookies on our website to give you the most relevant experience by remembering your preferences and repeat visits.

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This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. These cookies do not store any personal information. Urgent advice: Call for advice now if:. Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine. Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if the side effects bother you or last more than a few days: feeling tired, dizzy or light headed these can be signs of a slow heart rate cold fingers or toes propranolol may affect the blood supply to your hands and feet difficulties sleeping or nightmares feeling sick nausea Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking propranolol.

Tell a doctor straight away if you have : shortness of breath with a cough which gets worse when you exercise like walking up stairs , swollen ankles or legs, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat — these are signs of heart problems shortness of breath, wheezing and tightening of your chest — these can be signs of lung problems yellow skin or the whites of your eyes turn yellow — these can be signs of liver problems Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, propranolol may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. What to do about : feeling tired, dizzy or light-headed — as your body gets used to propranolol, these side effects should wear off.

If propranolol makes you feel dizzy, sit or lie down until you feel better. Try to avoid alcohol as it will make you feel worse. Do not smoke or have drinks with caffeine in — this can make your blood vessels narrower and further restrict blood flow to your hands and feet.

Try wearing mittens they're warmer than gloves and warm socks. Do not wear tight watches or bracelets. If you have to take it more than once a day, speak to your doctor. They may be able to change your propranolol to the slow release form. It might help to take your propranolol after a meal or snack. Propranolol and pregnancy Propranolol is not thought to be harmful during pregnancy, but it is not possible to be certain. Propranolol and breastfeeding It is usually safe to take propranolol if you're breastfeeding.

Non-urgent advice: Tell your doctor if you're:. Tell your doctor if you're taking: other medicines for high blood pressure. The combination with propranolol can sometimes lower your blood pressure too much. This may make you feel dizzy or faint. If this keeps happening to you, tell your doctor - they may change your dose. These include some antidepressants, nitrates for chest pain , baclofen a muscle relaxant , medicines for an enlarged prostate gland like tamsulosin , or Parkinson's disease medicines such as levodopa.

Speak to your doctor if you have low blood sugar levels without getting any of the usual warning signs. You should check your blood sugar after exercise, and follow usual advice about checking it before driving, or operating machinery.

These medicines may increase your blood pressure, so it's best to keep them to a minimum. Mixing propranolol with herbal remedies or supplements There's very little information about taking herbal remedies and supplements with propranolol.

Important: Medicine safety Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you're taking any other medicines, including herbal medicines, vitamins or supplements.

How does propranolol work? Propranolol is a type of medicine called a beta blocker. How long does propranolol take to work? Propranolol usually starts to work in a few hours. How long will I take it for? This depends on why you're taking propranolol. Is it safe to take for a long time? Propranolol is generally safe to take for a long time. What will happen if I stop taking it?

How does propranolol compare with other heart medicines? They work in a different way to beta blockers and include: ACE inhibitors — for example ramipril and lisinopril angiotensin receptor blockers — for example candesartan calcium channel blockers — for example amlodipine diuretics medicines which make you pee more — for example furosemide Beta blockers are not usually the first choice treatment for high blood pressure.

How does it compare with other medicines for preventing migraine? Ask your doctor or pharmacist which medicine is best for you. How does it compare with other medicines for anxiety? Will I need to stop propranolol before surgery? Can I drink alcohol with it? Is there any food or drink I need to avoid? You can eat and drink normally while taking propranolol. Will it make me put on weight? Will it affect my contraception?

Propranolol will not stop your contraception working. Talk to your doctor if you're taking a hormonal contraceptive. Will it affect my fertility?

Will it affect my sex life? If you're having problems with your sex life, talk to your doctor. Do I need to avoid playing sports? Can I drive or ride a bike? Can lifestyle changes help? Quit smoking — smoking increases your heart rate and blood pressure. Quitting smoking brings down your blood pressure and relieves heart failure symptoms. Increase in overdose deaths The impact was shown in the case that prompted our investigation.

National organisations supporting their staff membership to understand the risks when prescribing propranolol to certain patients. Related news. Earlier recognition of aortic dissection needed to prevent deaths Read news article. Report examines shared care of surgical patients between NHS and private hospitals Read news article. New report focuses on missed diagnosis of lung cancer Read news article.