Inderal® (propranolol hydrochloride)
Alternative brand (trade) names: Avlocardyl, Dociton, Inderalici and Sumial.
What is Inderal® ?
Inderal contains the medicine propranolol hydrochloride, which belongs to the group of medicines called beta-blockers.
What is Inderal® used for?
Inderal is helpful in treating angina, which is chest pain caused by too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle. This occurs when the need for oxygen (demand) of the heart exceeds the amount that it can receive (supply).
Inderal is also used to treat a number of other conditions including:
- High blood pressure (hypertension)
- Abnormal heart rhythms (arrhythmias)
- To provide long-term protection of the heart after a heart attack
- To control the signs of anxiety (rapid heart beat, sweating
and shaking) - It is also used to help prevent migraine headaches
- To prevent bleeding in the stomach and the oesophagus in patients with portal hypertension and associated oesphageal varices (swollen veins in the oesophagus or swallowing pipe)
- In the treatment of an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism)
- Other heart disease (hypertrophic cardiomyopathy – a condition in which there is abnormal thickening of the heart muscle)
- During an operation to remove a lump (tumour) in the adrenal gland called a phaeochromocytoma, which can cause high blood pressure.
How does Inderal® work ?
Inderal has effects on many parts of the body including the heart. It works by blocking the action of a chemical called noradrenaline, which is released from nerves in the heart to control its rate and force of beating. Inderal also blocks another chemical which is a hormone (chemical signal carried in the blood) called adrenaline that has similar effects to noradrenaline. Inderal stops these chemicals from attaching themselves (binding) to sites called beta-receptors in the heart so they can’t produce their effects. As a result:
- Inderal reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms.
- Inderal also reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and lowers blood pressure.
- By reducing the heart rate, force of muscle contraction and blood pressure, Inderal reduces the amount of oxygen the heart muscle needs (demand).
- Because angina occurs when oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply, Inderal is helpful in treating angina (chest pain caused by too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle).
How is Inderal® given ?
Inderal is available as tablets or as an injection. There is also a long-acting form which is called Inderal LA (capsules).
It is very important to take this medicine as often as your doctor has told you to, even if you do not feel ill. This is because heart and blood pressure problems, if not treated, can get progressively worse.
It is also important to follow any lifestyle instructions that your doctor has given to you, like trying to give up smoking, reducing your weight, doing more exercise and eating a healthy diet.
Country specific information
To consult your local information.
Any medical information on this website is not intended as a substitute for informed medical advice and you should not take any action before consulting with a health care professional. Read more important information.
