propranolol

Don’t stop taking propranolol suddenly as this might raise your risk of chest pain or heart attack. Some common symptoms of a heart attack include chest pain and tightness, pain that spreads to arms and neck, shortness of breath, lightheadedness, and fatigue. If you need to stop taking propranolol for any reason, let your healthcare provider know. They can work with you to lower your dose safely over time (which typically occurs over a few weeks).

People with heart failure shouldn't take propranolol if their heart failure symptoms aren’t well-managed. That’s because this medication can make your condition worse. But you might be able to take propranolol if your healthcare provider thinks your symptoms are under controlled. Keep in mind that, though rare, sometimes taking a beta-blocker, like propranolol over time might lead to heart failure even in people without this condition. Let your healthcare provider know right away if you experience symptoms of heart failure, such as fluid build-up in different areas of the body including the ankles, legs, and lungs, and difficulty breathing.

Taking propranolol can make it difficult for you to identify symptoms of low blood sugar, such as fast heart beat or tremors. If you’re taking medications, like glipizide or insulin, to lower your blood sugar, you might not be able to rely on all the typical symptoms of low blood sugar (e.g., irritability, sight tremors, confusion, and fast heartbeat) to warn you of a dangerous drop in your sugar levels. Sweating might be the only symptom not affected by taking propranolol. Speak with your healthcare provider about when and how to monitor your blood sugar if you start propranolol.

If you have hyperthyroidism (overactive thyroid), talk to your healthcare provider before stopping propranolol. Because propranolol lowers your heart rate, it may be harder to notice heart-related symptoms that are caused by hyperthyroidism. In some people, stopping this medication suddenly may lead to a condition called a "thyroid storm,” which may include symptoms such as a high temperature, rapid heartbeat, and fainting.

Propranolol can cause the vessels in your lung to tighten. This can make breathing difficult, especially in people with breathing problems, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). Propranolol might also cause certain medications taken to ease these conditions to not work as well. Let your doctor know if you have any breathing problems before starting propranolol.

In some rare cases, propranolol can cause skin rashes that are serious or even life-threatening. If you notice a severe skin rash appear suddenly while taking this medication, call your healthcare provider right away.