4.1. Therapeutic indications

a) the control of hypertension;

b) the management of angina pectoris;

c) long-term management against re-infarction after recovery from acute myocardial infarction;

d) the control of most forms of cardiac dysrhythmias;

e) the prophylaxis of migraine;

f) the management of essential tremor;

g) relief of situational anxiety and generalised anxiety symptoms, particularly those of somatic type;

h) prophylaxis of upper gastrointestinal bleeding in patients with portal hypertension and oesophageal varices;

i) the adjunctive management of thyrotoxicosis and thyrotoxic crisis;

j) management of hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy;

k) management of phaeochromocytoma peri-operatively (with an alpha-blocker).

4.2. Posology and method of administration

Posology

Adults:

Hypertension

A starting dose of 80 mg twice a day may be increased by 80 mg per day at weekly intervals according to response. The usual dose range is 160 to 320 mg per day. With concurrent diuretic or other antihypertensive drugs a further reduction of blood pressure is obtained.

Angina, migraine and essential tremor

A starting dose of 40 mg two or three times daily may be increased by the same amount at weekly intervals according to patient response. An adequate response in migraine and essential tremor is usually seen in the range 80 to 160 mg/day and in angina in the range 120 to 240 mg/day.

Situational and generalised anxiety

A dose of 40 mg daily may provide short term relief of acute situational anxiety. Generalised anxiety, requiring longer term therapy, usually responds adequately to 40 mg twice daily which, in individual cases, may be increased to 40 mg three times daily. Treatment should be continued according to response. Patients should be reviewed after 6 to 12 months treatment.

Arrhythmias, anxiety tachycardia, hypertrophic obstructive cardiomyopathy and thyrotoxicosis

A dosage range of 10 to 40 mg three or four times a day usually achieves the required response.

Post myocardial infarction

Treatment should start between days 5 and 21 after myocardial infarction, with an initial dose of 40 mg four times a day for 2 or 3 days. In order to improve compliance the total daily dosage may thereafter be given as 80 mg twice a day.

Portal hypertension

Dosage should be titrated to achieve approximately 25% reduction in resting heart rate. Dosage should begin with 40 mg twice daily, increasing to 80 mg twice daily depending on heart rate response. If necessary, the dose may be increased incrementally to a maximum of 160 mg twice daily.

Phaeochromocytoma

(Used only with an alpha-receptor blocking drug).

Pre-operative: 60 mg daily for 3 days is recommended. Non-operable malignant cases: 30 mg daily.

Elderly people

Evidence concerning the relation between blood level and age is conflicting. Propranolol should be used to treat the elderly with caution. It is suggested that treatment should start with the lowest dose. The optimum dose should be individually determined according to clinical response.

Paediatric population

Dysrhythmias, phaeochromocytoma, thyrotoxicosis

Dosage should be individually determined and the following is only a guide: Oral: 0.25 to 0.5 mg/kg three or four times daily as required.

Migraine

Oral: Under the age of 12: 20 mg two or three times daily.

Over the age of 12: The adult dose.

Fallot's tetralogy

The value of propranolol in this condition is confined mainly to the relief of right-ventricular outflow tract shut-down. It is also useful for treatment of associated dysrhythmias and angina. Dosage should be individually determined and the followingis only a guide:

Oral: Up to 1 mg/kg repeated three or four times daily as required.

Method of administration

For oral administration.

4.3. Contraindications

Hypersensitivity to the active substance(s) or to any of the excipients listed in section 6.1.

Propranolol must not be used if there is a history of bronchial asthma or bronchospasm. The product label states the following warning: “Do not take propranolol if you have a history of asthma or wheezing”. A similar warning appears in the patient information leaflet.

Bronchospasm can usually be reversed by beta2 agonist bronchodilators such as salbutamol. Large doses of the beta2 agonist bronchodilator may be required to overcome the beta blockade produced by propranolol and the dose should betitrated according to the clinical response; both intravenous and inhalational administration should be considered. Theuse of intravenous aminophylline and/or the use of ipratropium (given by nebuliser) may also be considered. Glucagon (1 to 2 mg given intravenously) has also been reported to produce a bronchodilator effect in asthmatic patients. Oxygen or artificial ventilation may be required in severe cases.

Propranolol as with other beta-blockers must not be used in patients with any of the following conditions: known hypersensitivity to the substance; bradycardia; cardiogenic shock; hypotension; metabolic acidosis; after prolonged fasting; severe peripheral arterial circulatory disturbances; second or third degree heart block; sick sinus syndrome; untreated phaeochromocytoma; uncontrolled heart failure or Prinzmetal's angina.

Propranolol must not be used in patients prone to hypoglycaemia, i.e., patients after prolonged fasting or patients with restricted counter-regulatory reserves. Patients with restricted counter regulatory reserves may have reduced autonomic and hormonal responses to hypoglycaemia which includes glycogenolysis, gluconeogenesis and/or impaired modulation of insulin secretion. Patients at risk for an inadequate response to hypoglycaemia includes individuals with malnutrition, prolonged fasting, starvation, chronic liver disease, diabetes and concomitant use of drugs which block the full response to catecholamines.

4.4. Special warnings and precautions for use

Propranolol as with other beta-blockers:

- although contraindicated in uncontrolled heart failure (see section 4.3), may be used in patients whose signs of heart failure have been controlled. Caution must be exercised in patients whose cardiac reserve is poor.

- should not be used in combination with calcium channel blockers with negative inotropic effects (e.g. verapamil, diltiazem), as it can lead to an exaggeration of these effects particularly in patients with impaired ventricular function and/or SA or AV conduction abnormalities. This may result in severe hypotension, bradycardia and cardiac failure. Neither the beta-blocker nor the calcium channel blocker should be administered intravenously within 48 hours of discontinuing the other.

- although contraindicated in severe peripheral arterial circulatory disturbances (see section 4.3), may also aggravate less severe peripheral arterial circulatory disturbances.

- due to its negative effect on conduction time, caution must be exercised if it is given to patients with first degree heart block.

- may block/modify the signs and symptoms of the hypoglycaemia (especially tachycardia). Propranolol occasionally causes hypoglycaemia, even in non-diabetic patients, e.g. neonates, infants, children, elderly patients, patients on haemodialysis or patients suffering from chronic liver disease and patients suffering from overdose. Severe hypoglycaemia associated with propranolol has rarely presented with seizures and/or coma in isolated patients. Caution must be exercised in the concurrent use of propranolol and hypoglycaemic therapy in diabetic patients. Propranolol may prolong the hypoglycaemic response to insulin (see section 4.3).

- may mask the signs of thyrotoxicosis.

- should not be used in untreated phaeochromocytoma. However, in patients with phaeochromocytoma, an alpha-blocker may be given concomitantly.

- will reduce heart rate as a result of its pharmacological action. In the rare instances when a treated patient develops symptoms which may be attributable to a slow heart rate, the dose may be reduced.

- may cause a more severe reaction to a variety of allergens when given to patients with a history of anaphylactic reaction to such allergens. Such patients may be unresponsive to the usual doses of adrenaline used to treat the allergic reactions.

Abrupt withdrawal of beta-blockers is to be avoided. The dosage should be withdrawn gradually over a period of 7 to 14 days. Patients should be followed during withdrawal especially those with ischaemic heart disease.

When a patient is scheduled for surgery and a decision is made to discontinue beta-blocker therapy, this should be done at least 24 hours prior to the procedure. The risk/benefit of stopping beta blockade should be made for each patient.

Since the half-life may be increased in patients with significant hepatic or renal impairment, caution must be exercised when starting treatment and selecting the initial dose.

Propranolol must be used with caution in patients with decompensated cirrhosis (see section 4.2).

In patients with portal hypertension, liver function may deteriorate and hepatic encephalopathy may develop. There have been reports suggesting that treatment with propranolol may increase the risk of developing hepatic encephalopathy (see section 4.2).

Interference with laboratory tests: Propranolol has been reported to interfere with the estimation of serum bilirubin by the diazo method and with the determination of catecholamines by methods using fluorescence.

Propranolol contains Lactose:

Patients with rare hereditary problems of galactose intolerance, the Lapp lactase deficiency or glucose-galactose malabsorption should not take this medicine.

4.5. Interaction with other medicinal products and other forms of interaction

Propranolol modifies the tachycardia of hypoglycaemia. Caution must be exercised in the concurrent use of propranolol and hypoglycaemic therapy in diabetic patients. Propranolol may prolong the hypoglycaemic response to insulin (see section 4.3 and 4.4).

Simultaneous administration of rizatriptan and propranolol can cause an increased rizatriptan AUC and Cmax by approximately 70-80%. The increased rizatriptan exposure is presumed to be caused by inhibition of first-passage metabolism of rizatriptan through inhibition of monoamine oxidase-A. If both drugs are to be used, a rizatriptan dose of 5 mg has been recommended.

Class I anti-arrhythmic drugs (e.g. disopyramide) and amiodarone may have potentiating effect on atrial-conduction time and induce negative inotropic effect.

Digitalis glycosides in association with beta-blockers may increase atrioventricular conduction time.

Combined use of beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers with negative inotropic effects (e.g., verapamil, diltiazem) can lead to an exaggeration of these effects particularly in patients with impaired ventricular function and/or SA or AV conduction abnormalities. This may result in severe hypotension, bradycardia and cardiac failure. Neither the beta-blocker nor the calcium channel blocker should be administered intravenously within 48 hours of discontinuing the other.

Concomitant therapy with dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers, e.g., nifedipine, may increase the risk of hypotension, and cardiac failure may occur in patients with latent cardiac insufficiency.

Concomitant use of sympathomimetic agents e.g, adrenaline, may counteract the effect of beta-blockers. Caution must be exercised in the parenteral administration of preparations containing adrenaline to patients taking beta-blockers as, in rare cases, vasoconstriction, hypertension and bradycardia may result.

Administration of propranolol during infusion of lidocaine may increase the plasma concentration of lidocaine by approximately 30%. Patients already receiving propranolol tend to have higher lidocaine levels than controls. The combination should be avoided.

Concomitant use of cimetidine or hydralazine will increase plasma levels of propranolol, and concomitant use of alcohol may increase the plasma levels of propranolol.

Beta-blockers may exacerbate the rebound hypertension which can follow the withdrawal of clonidine. If the two drugsare co-administered, the beta-blocker should be withdrawn several days before discontinuing clonidine. If replacing clonidine by beta-blocker therapy, the introduction of beta-blockers should be delayed for several days after clonidine administration has stopped.

Caution must be exercised if ergotamine, dihydroergotamine or related compounds are given in combination with propranolol since vasospastic reactions have been reported in a few patients.

Concomitant use of prostaglandin synthetase inhibiting drugs eg, ibuprofen and indometacin, may decrease the hypotensive effects of propranolol.

Concomitant administration of propranolol and chlorpromazine may result in an increase in plasma levels of both drugs. This may lead to an enhanced antipsychotic effect for chlorpromazine and an increased antihypertensive effect for propranolol.

Caution must be exercised when using anaesthetic agents with propranolol. The anaesthetist should be informed and thechoice of anaesthetic should be an agent with as little negative inotropic activity as possible. Use of beta-blockers with anaesthetic drugs may result in attenuation of the reflex tachycardia and increase the risk of hypotension. Anaesthetic agents causing myocardial depression are best avoided.

Pharmacokinetic studies have shown that the following agents may interact with propranolol due to effects on enzyme systems in the liver which metabolise propranolol and these agents: quinidine, propafenone, rifampicin, theophylline, warfarin, thioridazine and dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers such as nifedipine, nisoldipine, nicardipine, isradipine, and lacidipine. Owing to the fact that blood concentrations of either agent may be affected, dosage adjustments may be needed according to clinical judgement (see also the interaction above concerning the concomitant therapy with dihydropyridine calcium channel blockers).

4.6. Fertility, pregnancy and lactation

Pregnancy

As with all drugs propranolol should not be given during pregnancy unless its use is essential. There is no evidence of teratogenicity with propranolol. However beta-blockers reduce placental perfusion, which may result in intra uterine foetal death, immature and premature deliveries. In addition, adverse effects (especially hypoglycaemia and bradycardia in the neonate and bradycardia in the foetus) may occur. There is an increased risk of cardiac and pulmonary complications in the neonate in the post-natal period.

Breast-feeding

Most beta-blockers, particularly lipophilic compounds, will pass into breast milk although to a variable extent. Breast-feeding is therefore not recommended following administration of these compounds.

4.7. Effects on ability to drive and use machines

Propranolol has no or negligible influence on the ability to drive and use machines. However it should be taken into account that occasionally dizziness or fatigue may occur.

4.8. Undesirable effects

Propranolol is usually well tolerated. In clinical studies the undesired events reported are usually attributable to the pharmacological actions of propranolol.

The following undesired events, listed by body system, have been reported. The following definitions of frequencies areused:

Very common (≥1/10), common (≥1/100 to <1/10), uncommon (≥1/1,000 to <1/100), rare (≥1/10,000 to <1/1,000); very rare (<1/10,000), Frequency not known (cannot be estimated from the available data).

System Organ class

Frequency

Undesirable Effect

Blood and lymphatic system disorders

Rare

Thrombocytopaenia

Endocrine disorders

Not known

Hypoglycaemia in neonates, infants, children, elderly patients, patients on haemodialysis, patients on concomitant antidiabetic therapy, patients with prolonged fasting and patients with chronic liver disease has been reported, seizure linked to hypoglycaemia

Nervous system disorders

Common

Sleep disturbances, nightmares

Rare

Hallucinations, psychoses, mood changes, confusion, memory loss, paraesthesia

Very rare

Isolated reports of myasthenia gravis like syndrome or exacerbation of myasthenia grav is have been reported

Not known

Depression

Eye disorders

Rare

Dry eyes, visual disturbances

Cardiovascular disorders

Common

Bradycardia, cold extremities, Raynaud's phenomenon

Rare

Heart failure deterioration, precipitation of heart block, postural hypotension, which may be associated with syncope, exacerbation of intermittent claudication

Respiratory, thoracic and mediastinal disorders

Rare

Bronchospasm may occur in patients with bronchial asthma or a history of asthmatic complaints, sometimes with fatal outcome

Gastrointestinal disorders

Uncommon

Gastrointestinal disturbance, such as nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea

Skin and subcutaneous tissue disorders

Rare

Purpura, alopecia, psoriasi form skin reactions, exacerbation of psoriasis, skin rashes

General disorders and administration site conditions

Common

Fatigue and/or lassitude (often transient)

Rare

Dizziness

Investigations

Very rare

An increase in ANA (Antinuclear Antibodies) has been observed, however the clinical relevance of this is not clear

Discontinuance of the drug should be considered if, according to clinical judgement, the well-being of the patient is adversely affected by any of the above reactions. Cessation of therapy with a beta-blocker should be gradual. In the rare event of intolerance, manifested as bradycardia and hypotension, the drug should be withdrawn and, if necessary, treatment for overdosage instituted.

Reporting of suspected adverse reactions

Reporting suspected adverse reactions after authorisation of the medicinal product is important. It allows continued monitoring of the benefit/risk balance of the medicinal product. Healthcare professionals are asked to report any suspected adverse reactions via Yellow Card Scheme Website: www.mhra.gov.uk/yellowcard or search for MHRA Yellow Card in the Google Play or Apple App Store

4.9. Overdose

Propranolol is known to cause severe toxicity when used in overdose. Patients should be informed of the signs of overdose and advised to seek urgent medical assistance if an overdose of propranolol has been taken.

Clinical features:

Cardiac

Bradycardia, hypotension, pulmonary oedema, syncope and cardiogenic shock may develop. QRS complexprolongation, ventricular tachycardia, first to third degree AV block, ventricular fibrillation or asystole may also occur. Development of cardiovascular complications is more likely if other cardioactive drugs, especially calcium channel blockers, digoxin, cyclic antidepressants or neuroleptics have also been ingested. Older patients and those with underlying ischaemic heart disease are at risk of developing severe cardiovascular compromise.

CNS

Drowsiness, confusion, seizures, hallucinations, dilated pupils and in severe cases coma may occur. Neurological signs such as coma or absence of pupil reactivity are unreliable prognostic indicators during resuscitation.

Other features

Bronchospasm, hyperkalaemia and occasionally CNS-mediated respiratory depression may occur.

Management

In cases of overdose or extreme falls in heart rate or blood pressure, treatment with propranolol must be stopped. Management should include general symptomatic and supportive measures including a clear airway and monitoring of vital signs until stable. In symptomatic patients, or patients with an abnormal ECG, early discussion with critical careshould be considered.

Consult national clinical guidance for further information on the management of overdose.