Beta Blocker Heart Meds Might Pose Special Risks for Women It's available as an immediate-release tablet or an extended-release capsule. That said, the American Academy of Neurology rates propranolol as a "level A" drug for migraine prevention, which means it's been found to be highly effective. If the patient responded, then treatment was maintained unchanged … Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Like most such medications, propranolol has potentially intolerable side effects.

As a beta blocker, propranolol is primarily used for cardiac conditions such as high blood pressure and heart rate irregularity. Read our

It's also prescribed to treat a certain type of adrenal gland tumor (a small gland above the kidneys). Propranolol and other beta blockers reverse this effect, causing vessels to relax and allowing the free flow of blood to the brain.

Beta blockers reduce the frequency of migraine attacks in 60 to 80 percent of people. Besides people with diabetes and thyroid disease, propranolol may not be able to be used (or may need to be more closely monitored) in people with a baseline low heart rate or blood pressure, asthma, depression, or peripheral vascular disease.

Although propranolol is still the drug of first choice for migraine prophylaxis, the optimal antimigraine dose of this drug is still unknown. I had been becoming more and more concerned about this, and I had no success with natural remedies, supplements and therapies. As with any medication, before starting propranolol, it is important to discuss any potential side effects with your doctor. Applies to the following strengths: 60 mg; 10 mg; 20 mg; 40 mg; 80 mg; 120 mg; 160 mg; 1 mg/mL; 20 mg/5 mL; 80 mg/mL; 40 mg/5 mL; 4.28 mg/mLImmediate-release: Total daily doses of 80 to 320 mg orally 2 to 4 times a day have been shown to increase exercise tolerance and to reduce ischemic changes in the ECG.Immediate-release: 10 to 30 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day, before meals and at bedtimeImmediate-release: 20 to 40 mg orally 3 to 4 times a day, before meals and at bedtimeImmediate-release: 10 mg to 30 mg orally 3 or 4 times a day before meals and at bedtimeOral: Children: Initial: 0.5 to 1 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 to 8 hours; titrate dosage upward every 3 to 5 days; usual dose: 2 to 4 mg/kg/day; higher doses may be needed; do not exceed 16 mg/kg/dayNeonates: Oral: 2 mg/kg/day in divided doses every 6 to 12 hours; occasionally higher doses may be requiredBecause propranolol is extensively metabolized by the liver, consideration should be given to lowering the dosage in patients with hepatic insufficiency.-The time needed for full antihypertensive response to a given dosage is variable and may range from a few days to several weeks.The extended release product InnoPran XL (R) should be taken once daily in the evening.Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records.

Colleen Doherty, MD, is a board-certified internist living with multiple sclerosis.

“I have been taking 80 mg of Propranolol per day for about 5 years for Migraine Prevention and High Blood Pressure. Propranolol is a beta blocker frequently prescribed to prevent certain types of migraine headaches.

Although, considered a well-tolerated and generally safe drug, there are other serious warnings associated with taking propranolol—be sure to review these in detail with your doctor to ensure it's the right drug for you. Stopping propranolol suddenly may cause worsening chest pain (called Select one or more newsletters to continue.

Moreover, propranolol may also mask the signs of an Fifty-three patients suffering from severe migraine attacks were given propranolol at low doses, close to or up to 1 mg/kg body weight daily, for one month. Propranolol is a reasonable starting point for most people's migraine prevention journey. I hardly get migraines now and I do feel calmer which is great since I had just begun to worry incessantly about my 3 kids, especially now that they are teenagers. Studies investigating the use of propranolol have researched different doses.