Beta-blocker (heart and blood pressure medicine)
Last reviewed June 2026
Who is this for?
Propranolol is a heart and blood pressure medicine that works by slowing down your heart rate and making your heart beat less forcefully, which helps reduce blood pressure and ease the workload on your heart.
Blocks beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors in the heart and blood vessels, reducing heart rate, cardiac contractility, and blood pressure while decreasing sympathetic nervous system activity. Also depresses the sinoatrial node conduction and increases atrioventricular node refractoriness, stabilizing cardiac rhythm and reducing myocardial oxygen demand.
Prescription Required
You need a doctor's prescription to buy this drug.
Explore this drug
Adults usually start with 40mg taken two times a day (morning and evening). Your doctor may increase this gradually up to 120-240mg per day depending on your condition. Take with a glass of water, and you can take it with or without food, but try to be consistent. Do not stop taking it suddenly — your doctor will reduce the dose slowly.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. But if it's almost time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue your normal schedule. Never take two doses at once to make up for the missed one.
Do not stop taking propranolol suddenly on your own — stopping abruptly can cause dangerous increases in heart rate and blood pressure; always let your doctor reduce your dose gradually. Only buy from licensed pharmacies — avoid roadside sellers, as fake or expired drugs are dangerous with this type of medicine. In Nigeria, this drug is sold as Kpran Tablet among other brands — make sure what you buy matches your doctor's prescription.
Avoid drinking alcohol while on propranolol as it can make your blood pressure drop too low and increase dizziness. Be careful if you are also taking diabetes medicines (like insulin or glibenclamide) because propranolol can hide the warning signs of low blood sugar. Do not use with asthma inhalers like salbutamol (Ventolin) without your doctor's knowledge, as they can work against each other.
Check your specific combination
Is it safe to take Propanolol with your other drugs?
Propranolol is not considered safe during pregnancy and breastfeeding unless your doctor decides the benefit outweighs the risk — always consult your doctor before using it if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or breastfeeding.
Store in a cool, dry place away from direct sunlight and heat — Nigerian weather can be hot, so avoid leaving it on windowsills or inside hot cars. Keep the container tightly closed and always store out of reach of children.
For information only — not medical advice. Always talk to a doctor or pharmacist before changing your medication.
Names this drug is sold under — especially in Nigerian and West African pharmacies
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Counterfeit Drug Warning
Fake drugs are a serious problem in Nigeria. Always buy from a registered pharmacy. If the packaging looks different from what is described above, do not use it.