Can I take other medicines with propranolol?
Propranolol is a beta-blocker used for various different conditions, including anxiety, migraine and high blood pressure. It is available in tablet, capsule and liquid form, and is only available on prescription.
It's important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start taking propranolol.
Here are some of the key medicines to be aware of:
Propranolol and painkillers
It’s ok to take paracetamol with propranolol. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen, naproxen or diclofenac may oppose the blood pressure lower effect of propranolol, so it is best to not to take them regularly if you are taking propranolol long-term. Occasionally, use if other NSAIDs is fine.
Propranolol and insulin
Propranolol can prolong the lowering of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) caused by insulin. People with diabetes may need to monitor their blood sugar more frequently, as propranolol can also mask some of the signs of low blood sugar, such as a fast heartbeat or tremor.
Propranolol and anti-arrhythmic medicines
Amiodarone, flecainide and disopyramide used to treat irregular heart beat can make your heart rate very slow.
Tell your doctor if you are taking anti-arrhythmic medicines before taking propranolol.
Propranolol and calcium-channel blocker
If you take propranolol with a calcium-channel blocker, such as verapamil, nifedipine or diltiazem, you may be more likely to suffer from a very slow heart rate, low blood pressure or heart failure. Your doctor will want to monitor you more closely if you take propranolol with one of these.
Propranolol and other medicines
If you take other medicines that lower blood pressure with propranolol, either to treat high blood pressure or medicines that can lower blood pressure as a side effect for example, glyceryl trinitrate, tamsulosin, the combination might lower your blood pressure too much.
This could make you feel dizzy or faint, particularly when getting up from a lying or sitting position. If this happens to you, you should sit or lie down until the symptoms pass. Tell your doctor if continually feel dizzy while taking any other medicine with propranolol, as your doses may need adjusting.
Last updated: 11.03.2020
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