Medical Uses
Propranolol is indicated for the management of various conditions including:
- Hypertension
- Angina pectoris
- Tachyarrhythmias
- Myocardial infarction
- Control of tachycardia/tremor associated with anxiety, hyperthyroidism or lithium therapy.
- Essential tremor
- Migraine prophylaxis
- Cluster headaches prophylaxis
- Tension headache (Off label use)
- Shaky hands
- Hyperhidrosis
- There has been some experimentation in psychiatric areas:
- Treating the excessive drinking of fluids in psychogenic polydipsia,
- Antipsychotic-induced akathisia,
- Aggressive behavior of patients with brain injuries
- Post-traumatic stress disorder
- Calming down individuals with phobias via sedative effects
- Performance anxiety
- Glaucoma
- Thyrotoxicosis via deiodinase inhibition
- Primary exertional headache
While once first-line treatment for hypertension, the role for beta-blockers was downgraded in June 2006 in the United Kingdom to fourth-line as they perform less well than other drugs, particularly in the elderly, and evidence is increasing that the most frequently used beta-blockers at usual doses carry an unacceptable risk of provoking type 2 diabetes.
Propranolol is also used to lower portal vein pressure in portal hypertension and prevent esophageal variceal bleeding.
Read more about this topic: Propranolol
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