Propranolol
Also known as: Inderal, Inderal LA, InnoPran XL, Syprol
* **Consistency is Key:** To be effective, your pet must receive all doses exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian. Do not abruptly stop this medication without consulting your vet, as it can cause a dangerous rebound effect on the heart. * **What to Watch For:** Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet becomes unusually lethargic, tires easily during exercise, begins wheezing, develops shortness of breath or a cough, or shows a sudden change in behavior or attitude. * **Missed Doses:** If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember, but never give two doses at once.
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
What it is used for
- Susceptible cardiac arrhythmias
- Susceptible cardiac arrhythmias
- Susceptible cardiac arrhythmias
- Adjunctive therapy in heart failure
- Adjunctive therapy of hypertension
- Adjunctive therapy in feline hyperthyroidism
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
- V-Tach
- V-Tach
- V-Tach
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Cardiac arrhythmias
- Susceptible cardiac arrhythmias
How it is given
Possible side effects
- Bradycardia
- Lethargy and depression
- Impaired AV conduction
- Congestive heart failure (CHF) or worsening of heart failure
- Hypotension
- Syncope
- Diarrhea
- Hypoglycemia
- Bronchoconstriction
- AV block
- Myocardial depression
- Heart failure
- Hypoglycaemia
- Bronchospasm
- Diarrhoea
Cautions & contraindications
- Overt heart failure
- Hypersensitivity to beta-blockers
- Greater than 1st degree heart block
- Sinus bradycardia
- Congestive heart failure (unless secondary to a tachyarrhythmia responsive to beta-blockers)
- Bronchospastic lung disease (e.g., feline asthma)
- Bradyarrhythmias
- Acute or decompensated congestive heart failure
- Concurrent administration with alpha-adrenergic agonists (e.g., adrenaline)
- **Use with Caution:** * Patients with significant renal or hepatic insufficiency. * Patients with sinus node dysfunction. * Labile diabetic patients (can cause or mask clinical signs of hypoglycemia). * Digitalized or digitalis-intoxicated patients (severe bradycardia may result). * May mask clinical signs of thyrotoxicosis. * **Withdrawal:** If discontinuing the drug after chronic use, gradual withdrawal is recommended to prevent exacerbation of clinical signs.
Drug interactions
- Antacids: May reduce oral propranolol absorption; separate doses by at least one hour
- Anesthetics, General: Additive myocardial depression may occur
- Anticholinergics: May negate cardiac effects of beta-blockers
- Calcium Channel Blockers: Concurrent use should be done with caution due to additive negative inotropic effects, particularly in patients with cardiomyopathy or CHF
- Cimetidine: May decrease the metabolism of propranolol and increase blood levels
- Diuretics: May increase risk for hypotension
- Epinephrine: Unopposed alpha effects of epinephrine may lead to rapid increases in blood pressure and decrease in heart rate
- Fluoxetine: May decrease propranolol metabolism; complete heart block reported in one human
- Insulin and Antidiabetic Drugs: Propranolol may prolong the hypoglycemic effects of insulin therapy
- Lidocaine: Clearance may be impaired by propranolol
- Methimazole, Propylthiouracil: Propranolol doses may need to be decreased when initiating therapy
Frequently asked questions
What is Propranolol used for in pets?
* **Consistency is Key:** To be effective, your pet must receive all doses exactly as prescribed by your veterinarian. Do not abruptly stop this medication without consulting your vet, as it can cause a dangerous rebound effect on the heart. * **What to Watch For:** Contact your veterinarian immediately if your pet becomes unusually lethargic, tires easily during exercise, begins wheezing, develops shortness of breath or a cough, or shows a sudden change in behavior or attitude. * **Missed Doses:** If you miss a dose, give it as soon as you remember, but never give two doses at once.
Is Propranolol safe for my pet?
Dosage must be set by your veterinarian for your specific pet. Never give human medication or another pet’s prescription without veterinary guidance.
This article is for general education and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice. If your pet is unwell, please consult a veterinarian.
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