Propranolol oral tablet is a generic medication. It’s not available in a brand-name version. Propranolol also comes in other forms that you take by mouth and an injectable form. But those forms aren’t described in this article. To learn more about these forms, talk with your doctor.
This article describes propranolol oral tablet’s dosages, its strengths, and details on how to take it. You’ll also find information on cost savings and coupon options for propranolol.
If you want to know more about propranolol oral tablet, see this overview article. It covers details about the drug’s uses, side effects, and more.
Propranolol oral tablet comes as follows:
- Form: tablet that you swallow
- Strengths: 10 milligrams (mg), 20 mg, 40 mg, 60 mg, 80 mg
Dosage of propranolol
This article describes the recommended dosages* for propranolol oral tablet.
If your doctor prescribes this medication, you should take the dosage they prescribe. Your doctor will determine the dosage that best meets your needs. Do not change your dosage of propranolol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation.
* The drugmaker provides these recommended dosages.
Usual recommended dosages of propranolol
Usually, doctors start by prescribing a low dosage of propranolol oral tablet. Then, they’ll adjust it over time until the right dosage is reached. Ultimately, your doctor will prescribe the smallest dosage of propranolol oral tablet that gives the desired outcome.
Maintenance dosage is what you’ll take throughout treatment, which often begins after a starting dosage.
Dosage for high blood pressure
The usual dosages for high blood pressure are described below.
- Starting dosage: 40 milligrams (mg) twice a day
- Maintenance dosage: 120 mg to 240 mg per day, divided into two or three doses
- Maximum dosage: 640 mg per day, divided into two or three doses
Dosage for angina pectoris (chest pain)
The usual dosages for chest pain are shown below.
- Maintenance dosage: 80 mg to 320 mg per day, divided into two to four doses
- Maximum dosage: 320 mg, divided into two to four doses.
Dosage for atrial fibrillation (AFib)
The usual dosages for AFib are described below. AFib can cause heart palpitations.
- Maintenance dosage: 10 mg to 30 mg taken three to four times per day
- Maximum dosage: 30 mg taken three to four times per day
Dosage for heart attack
The usual dosages for heart attack are described below.
- Starting dosage: 40 mg three times per day
- Maintenance dosage: 180 mg to 240 mg per day, divided into two or three doses
- Maximum dosage: 240 mg per day, divided into two or three doses
Dosage for hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (a form of heart muscle disease)
The usual dosages for hypertrophic subaortic stenosis are shown below.
- Maintenance dosage: 20 mg to 40 mg taken three to four times per day
- Maximum dosage: 40 mg taken three to four times per day
Dosage for essential tremor
The usual dosages for essential tremor are described below.
- Starting dosage: 40 mg two times per day
- Maintenance dosage: 120 mg per day, to be taken as prescribed by your doctor
- Maximum dosage: 320 mg per day, to be taken as prescribed by your doctor
Dosage for migraine
The usual dosages for migraine are shown below.
- Starting dosage: 80 mg per day, to be taken as prescribed by your doctor
- Maintenance dosage: 160 mg to 240 mg per day, to be taken as prescribed by your doctor
- Maximum dosage: 240 mg, to be taken as prescribed by your doctor
Dosage for pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland)
The usual dosage for pheochromocytoma is shown below.
- Maintenance dosage before surgery: 60 mg per day, to be taken for 3 days before surgery as prescribed by your doctor
- Maintenance dosage if surgery isn’t possible: 30 mg per day, to be taken as prescribed by your doctor
Dosage adjustments for propranolol
Your doctor will prescribe a dosage of propranolol oral tablet based on several factors, including:
- the specific condition being treated and how severe it is
- your age
- your other health conditions
- your other medications
- how your body responds to the drug
Missed dose of propranolol
Talk with your doctor or pharmacist right away if you realize you forgot a dose of propranolol oral tablet. They may advise you to take the missed dose. Or they may advise you to skip it and take your next dose as scheduled.
For tips on how to plan your doses of propranolol oral tablet and avoid missing a dose, read this article. You could also try:
- downloading a reminder app on your phone
- setting an alarm
- putting a note where you’ll see it, such as on your calendar, bathroom mirror, or bedside table
Frequently asked questions
Below are answers to some commonly asked questions about propranolol oral tablet and its dosage.
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Get free cardCan propranolol be taken for anxiety? If so, what is the dosage?
Propranolol oral tablet is not approved to treat anxiety. Still, some doctors may prescribe it for anxiety as an off-label use. This means it is prescribed for a purpose other than its approved uses.
Propranolol, like other beta-blockers, may prevent some of the symptoms of anxiety. These include shakiness and a fast heart rate. These symptoms often occur with situational anxiety, such as fear of public speaking.
Talk with your doctor if you’d like to learn more about treatments for anxiety.
How does the dosage of propranolol oral tablet compare with the dosage of the extended-release oral capsule?
The extended-release form of propranolol releases drug into your body slowly over time. Because of this, you need to take it only once per day. But with the oral tablet, you need to take it several times throughout the day. That’s because it releases into your body right away after you take a dose.
Because the two forms release drug differently, their dosages aren’t always the same. If you change from one form to another, your doctor may need to adjust your dosage accordingly.
If you’d like to take the extended-release form of propranolol, talk with your doctor. They can let you know if it’s an option for you and recommend a dosage.
Is propranolol taken long term?
Yes, doctors usually prescribe propranolol oral tablet as a long-term treatment. If you and your doctor determine that it’s safe and effective for your condition, you’ll likely take it long term.
How propranolol is taken
You’ll swallow propranolol oral tablet up to four times per day. You can take propranolol oral tablet with food or without it.
To help you remember to take this medication, you might take it at mealtimes and bedtime. Assuming you take it four times per day, you could take it before each of your three meals. And then you could take your fourth dose at bedtime. If you take propranolol twice per day, you could take it before breakfast and then before dinner or at bedtime.
The drugmaker doesn’t specify whether you can split, crush, or chew propranolol tablets. If you have difficulty swallowing tablets, check with your pharmacist about this. And be sure to always take the medication as prescribed by your doctor. Also, if it’s hard for you to swallow tablets, view this article. It provides suggestions on how to swallow medications that come in pill form.
Be sure to talk with your doctor or pharmacist if you’re having difficulty taking your medication. They can offer recommendations about taking it.
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Overdose of propranolol
It’s important that you do not take more propranolol oral tablet than your doctor prescribes. Doing so can lead to serious side effects.
What to do if you take too much propranolol
If you think you’ve taken too much propranolol, call your doctor or pharmacist right away. Or you could call 800-222-1222 to speak with someone at America’s Poison Centers. You can also use its online resource. If you have severe symptoms, call 911 or a local emergency number immediately. You can also go to the closest emergency room.
What to ask your doctor
This article describes the usual recommended dosages for propranolol oral tablet. If your doctor prescribes this medication, they’ll determine the dosage that’s best for you.
Do not change your dosage of propranolol oral tablet without your doctor’s recommendation. You should take propranolol oral tablet exactly as your doctor prescribes it. Let your doctor know if you have concerns or questions about your treatment plan.
Here’s a list of some possible questions you may want to ask your doctor:
- How long will it be before my dosage of propranolol oral tablet increases?
- What determines when the dosage is right?
- Will my dosage of propranolol oral tablet need to be adjusted if I take other medications?
- Is switching to the extended-release version to simplify dosage an option for me?
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.
