Propranolol
“This page provides important general information for pet owners whose animals have been prescribed Propranolol for pets in Perth during a consultation by Dr Noor.”
(proe-pran-oh-lole)
Description:
This medicine is a “beta blocker,” which is a type of drug that blocks certain body signals.
Other Names for this Medication:
- Inderal®
Common Dosage Forms:
- Veterinary: None.
- Human:
- Tablets come in 10 mg, 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, and 80 mg.
- Extended-release or sustained-release capsules come in 60 mg, 80 mg, 120 mg, and 160 mg.
- Oral liquid comes as 20 mg/5 mL (4 mg/mL) and 40 mg/5 mL (8 mg/mL).
Key Information on Propranolol for pets
- For this medicine to work, your animal needs to get every dose exactly as directed. You may give this medicine with food or without food.
- The side effects seen most often are sleepiness or low energy, and feeling weak. Low blood pressure can happen. If the dose is too high, the heart rate may become too slow and this can make a heart problem worse. Tell your veterinarian if your animal cannot exercise like normal, has trouble breathing, coughs, or shows a change in behavior or mood.
- When this medicine is first started, your veterinarian may begin with a small dose and then slowly raise it over time to see how your animal responds. Do not give more than the amount your veterinarian has prescribed.
- It is very important not to stop this medicine suddenly unless your veterinarian tells you how to do it.
How is this medication useful?
Propranolol is a beta blocker used for certain abnormal heart rhythms (when the heartbeat is not regular), high blood pressure, and a thickened heart muscle condition in cats. You and your veterinarian can talk about why this medicine is the best choice.
What should I tell my veterinarian to see if this medication can be safely given?
Many different factors can change how well this medicine works for your animal. It is very important to talk with your veterinarian about the items below so you can make the best treatment choices together.
- Some medicines can interact and cause problems when used with propranolol. Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about everything your animal is taking, including vitamins, supplements, or herbal products, and also tell them the dose amount and the timing for each one.
- Tell your veterinarian about any health problems your animal has now, or has had in the past.
- If your animal has been treated before for the same illness or problem, tell your veterinarian what was used and whether it helped or did not help.
- If your animal is pregnant or nursing, discuss the risks of using this medicine with your veterinarian.
- Tell your veterinarian and pharmacist about any medicine side effects your animal has had before, including allergic reactions, not wanting to eat, diarrhea, itching, or hair loss.
How long until I will know if this medication is working, and how long will the effects of this medication last?
This medicine should begin to act within 1 to 2 hours. Even so, you will not be able to see the effects from the outside. Your veterinarian will need to do additional tests to check whether the medicine is working the right way. This medicine does not last long in the body, so it stops working within 24 hours. However, the helpful effects may last longer if your animal’s kidneys and/or liver are not working well.
When should this medication not be used or be used very carefully?
No medicine is completely safe for every patient. Your veterinarian will talk with you about any special concerns for your animal.
If your animal fits any of the conditions listed below, talk with your veterinarian about the risks compared with the benefits.
- Do not use in animals with severe heart failure, asthma, heart block (a problem with the heart’s electrical signals), a very slow heart rate, or animals that are in shock.
- Use carefully in animals that have had an allergy or a serious reaction to this medicine or to other medicines in the same group (for example, carvedilol, sotalol, metoprolol).
- Use carefully in animals with serious liver or kidney problems.
- Use carefully in animals with diabetes, because propranolol can cover up the warning signs of low blood sugar.
- Use carefully in animals with an overactive thyroid, because propranolol can cover up the signs of an overactive thyroid.
What are the side effects of this medication?
You do not need to be highly worried if you notice any of these signs, unless they are strong, get worse, or do not go away. If that happens, contact your veterinarian.
These signs are not common. They usually mean the dose is too high for your animal. If you notice any of these signs, contact your veterinarian right away.
- At the start of treatment, it can be normal for animals to seem less energetic.
- Diarrhea (in dogs).
- A very slow heartbeat, fainting (collapse), weakness.
- Coughing, wheezing, or difficulty breathing.
If my animal gets too much of this medication (an overdose), what should I do?
Too much propranolol can be dangerous. If you see an overdose happen, or you think it may have happened, contact your veterinarian or an animal poison control center immediately for instructions.
How should this medication be given?
To get the intended effect, give this medicine exactly the way your veterinarian directed. It is also smart to read the prescription label each time so you confirm you are giving it correctly.
- You can give this medicine with food or without food. If your animal vomits or seems unwell after getting the medicine on an empty stomach, give the next dose with food or a small treat. If vomiting continues, contact your veterinarian.
- If you are using a liquid form, measure it with care. Your veterinarian or pharmacist can provide special measuring spoons or dosing syringes.
- If giving the medicine is difficult, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist for ideas to make dosing easier and to lower stress during medicine time.
- Do not stop this medicine suddenly unless you have spoken with your veterinarian first, because serious side effects may occur.
What should I do if I miss giving a dose of this medication?
If you forget a dose, give it as soon as you remember. Then wait the usual amount of time between doses that your veterinarian recommended before giving the next one. Do not give two doses at once and do not give extra doses.
How should I store this medication?
- Keep this medicine in its original prescription container that is resistant to children and blocks light, or store it in an approved dose reminder container (such as a pill organizer), at room temperature.
- If your veterinarian or pharmacist has prepared a custom-made version (a compounded form) for your animal, follow the storage directions and the expiration date written for that product.
- Store it where children and other animals cannot reach it.
Can handling this medication be hazardous to me, my family, or other animals?
No special handling steps are needed unless you are allergic to this medicine. After touching any medicine, wash your hands.
How should I dispose of this medication if I don’t use it all?
- Do not put this medicine into the toilet or pour it into a sink drain.
- If your area has a community medicine “take-back” program, use that option.
- If there is no take-back program:
- combine the medicine with used coffee grounds or cat litter so it is unpleasant to children and animals and not recognizable to people who might search trash.
- Put that mixture into a sealable plastic bag so it cannot leak, and then place it in the household trash.
- Do not keep extra medicine for later use, and do not give it to anyone else.
What other information is important for this medication?
- This medicine may be banned in some animal competitions. Before entering a competition while your animal is receiving this medicine, check the rules.
- Your veterinarian will need to check your animal closely while it is taking this medicine. Do not skip these important recheck appointments.
- If you have more questions about this medicine, contact your veterinarian or pharmacist.
“Disclaimer: The information on this page is provided as general educational material only. Every animal’s health situation is unique, and treatment decisions must be based on a full veterinary assessment. Always follow the specific instructions given during your consultation, and contact the prescribing veterinarian if you have any concerns.”