Propranolol side effects

Editor-In-Chief: C. Michael Gibson, M.S., M.D. [1]

Side effects

The following adverse events were observed and have been reported in patients using Propranolol.

Cardiovascular

Central Nervous System

Gastrointestinal

Allergic

Respiratory

Hematologic

Autoimmune

Skin and mucous membranes

Genitourinary

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Cardiovascular:

Bradycardia; congestive heart failure; intensification of AV block; hypotension; paresthesia of hands; thrombocytopenic purpura; arterial insufficiency, usually of the Raynaud type. Return to top

Central Nervous System:

Lightheadedness; mental depression manifested by insomnia, lassitude, weakness, fatigue; catatonia; visual disturbances; hallucinations; vivid dreams; an acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation for time and place, short-term memory loss, emotional lability, slightly clouded sensorium, and decreased performance on neuropsychometrics.

For immediate release formulations, fatigue, lethargy, and vivid dreams appear dose related. Return to top

Gastrointestinal:

Nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation, mesenteric arterial thrombosis, ischemic colitis. Return to top

Allergic:

Hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions; pharyngitis and agranulocytosis; erythematous rash; fever combined with aching and sore throat; laryngospasm; respiratory distress. Return to top

Respiratory:

Bronchospasm Return to top

Hematologic:

Agranulocytosis, nonthrombocytopenic purpura, and thrombocytopenic purpura. Return to top

Autoimmune:

Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Return to top

Skin and mucous membranes:

Stevens-Johnson Syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, dry eyes, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, urticaria, alopecia, SLE-like reactions, and psoriasisiform rashes. Oculomucocutaneous syndrome involving the skin, serous membranes, and conjunctivae reported for a beta-blocker (practolol) have not been associated with Propranolol. Return to top

Genitourinary:

Male impotence; Peyronie's disease. Return to top

The content of this page is taken from the FDA package insert for this drug and should not be edited.