Inderal LA is used for the treatment of a range of cardiovascular and central nervous system disorders. These include:

• Control of high blood pressure (hypertension)
  
  
• Management of angina pectoris, 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)
  
  
• Prophylaxis (prevention) of migraine headaches
  
  
• Management of essential tremor (a chronic condition characterized by involuntary, rhythmic tremor of a body part, most typically the hands and arms, often the head and voice)
  
  
• Control of anxiety (rapid heart beat, sweating and shaking)
  
  
• Prophylaxis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension and oesophageal varices (swollen veins in the oesophagus or swallowing pipe)
  
  
• Adjunctive management of thyrotoxicosis (overactive thyroid gland)
  
  
• Long?term protection of the heart after acute myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Inderal LA 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 LA also blocks another chemical which is a hormone (chemical signal carried in the blood) called adrenaline that has similar effects to noradrenaline. Inderal LA 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 LA reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms.
  
  
• Inderal LA 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 LA reduces the amount of oxygen the heart muscle needs (demand).
  
  
• Because angina occurs when oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply, Inderal LA is helpful in treating angina (chest pain caused by too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle).