Skip to main content
dose.wiki is still in beta. Entries may contain inaccuracies and/or lack citations. See our docs for more info.

Propranolol

Propranolol molecule structurePropranolol molecule structure
Propranolol
Inderal, Inderal LA, Inderal XL, InnoPran XL, Hemangeol
Psychoactive Class
Anxiolytic

Propranolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist and naphthalene derivative first approved by the FDA in 1967.citation needed It is prescribed for a broad range of conditions including hypertension, essential tremor, migraine prophylaxis, and anxiety. As a racemic mixture, its S(-)-enantiomer demonstrates roughly 100 times greater binding affinity for beta-adrenergic receptors than its counterpart, accounting for most of its pharmacological activity.

Dosage & Duration

Dosage

Doses are population estimates that vary widely between individuals.

Threshold~10 mg
Light10-30 mg
Moderate30-80 mg
Strong80-140 mg
Heavy140+ mg

Duration

Onset10-45 minutes
After Effects1-8 hours
Total3-7 hours

Subjective Effects

Legacy content. A statistically backed ontology from Mindstate Design Labs is coming soon.

Propranolol produces little in the way of a classical psychoactive experience at therapeutic doses. Its most noticeable subjective effect is an absence of the physical symptoms of anxiety, a slowed, steadier heartbeat and reduced trembling, which users often experience as a subtle bodily calm rather than a distinct headspace. Overdose presents a markedly different picture, with restlessness, euphoria, and insomnia reported alongside dangerous drops in blood pressure.

Physical

Physical effects center on cardiovascular dampening, including a slowed heart rate, lowered blood pressure, and reduced tremor. Mild fatigue and lightheadedness may accompany these effects.

Cardiovascular

Decreased heart rate

Cognitive

The headspace remains largely clear and unaltered. Anxiety relief is generally attributed to the suppression of anxiety's physical manifestations rather than to direct cognitive sedation.

Pharmacology

Pharmacodynamics

Propranolol is a competitive, nonselective β-adrenergic receptor antagonist that blocks β1, β2, and β3 receptors with little intrinsic sympathomimetic activity, inhibiting the actions of epinephrine and norepinephrine.citation needed It is administered as a racemic mixture in which the S(−)-enantiomer has approximately 100 times the binding affinity for beta-adrenergic receptors. Propranolol also blocks voltage-gated sodium channels, a property underlying its membrane-stabilizing effects, although this occurs primarily at high blood concentrations. Additionally, it acts as a weak antagonist at serotonin 5-HT1A, 5-HT1B, and 5-HT2B receptors and shows very weak inhibitory effects on the norepinephrine transporter.

Pharmacokinetics

Propranolol is rapidly and completely absorbed following oral administration, with peak plasma levels reached in approximately 1 to 4 hours.citation needed Despite complete absorption, oral bioavailability is only approximately 25%. Food increases bioavailability without affecting time to peak levels. Propranolol is highly lipophilic and achieves high concentrations in the brain. It is metabolized through aromatic hydroxylation (mainly 4-hydroxylation), N-dealkylation, side-chain oxidation, and glucuronidation, with approximately 42% of a dose undergoing ring oxidation and 17% undergoing glucuronidation. The plasma half-life is approximately 3 to 6 hours, with an elimination half-life reported at approximately 8 hours.

Interactions

Caution

Use caution

These combinations are not usually physically harmful, but may produce undesirable effects, such as physical discomfort or overstimulation. Extreme use may cause physical health issues. Synergistic effects may be unpredictable. Care should be taken when choosing to use this combination.

AbacavirAbaloparatideAbametapirAbataceptAbiraterone
Powered by TripSit

Tolerance

Tolerance not written up yet

Harm Potential

Addiction & Dependence

Psychological

Extremely Low

Propranolol carries lower risks for addiction or abuse compared to benzodiazepines.citation needed No significant psychological dependence or compulsive use patterns are documented.

Physical

Low

Classic physical dependence does not develop; however, abrupt discontinuation in patients with cardiovascular conditions may cause serious rebound effects including exacerbation of angina or myocardial infarction.citation needed Gradual tapering is recommended.

Toxicity

Cardiovascular

Overdose can cause severe bradycardia, hypotension, and potentially fatal cardiac arrest;citation needed chronic therapeutic use at typical doses has been associated with increased risk of type 2 diabetes in some populations.

Respiratory

May worsen symptoms of asthma and cause bronchospasm in patients with reactive airway disease; this risk is present even at therapeutic doses in susceptible individuals.citation needed

Metabolic

May mask signs and symptoms of hypoglycemia in diabetic patients, potentially allowing dangerous blood glucose levels to go unrecognized.citation needed

Seizure Risk

Seizures are associated with propranolol overdose, particularly hypoglycemic seizures.citation needed This risk is primarily an overdose concern rather than occurring at therapeutic doses.

History & Culture

Discovery and Development

Propranolol was developed by Scottish scientist James W. Black during the 1960s,12 representing a landmark achievement as the first beta-blocker to be effectively used in the treatment of coronary artery disease and…

Legality

By Country

Prescription9
United States flagUnited StatesPrescription only
Canada flagCanadaPrescription medication
France flagFrancePrescription only
Germany flagGermanyPrescription medication
Ireland flagIrelandPrescription only
Japan flagJapanPrescription only
Netherlands flagNetherlandsPrescription only
Singapore flagSingaporePrescription only
United Kingdom flagUnited KingdomPrescription only

References

Source Pages

  1. DrugBank
  2. DrugBank: Beta-blocking agents, non-selective
  3. DrugBank: Propranolol absorption and distribution
  4. Wikipedia

Citations

  1. Nobel Prize in Physiology or Medicine 1988 – Sir James W. Black Facts. (1988). https://www.nobelprize.org/prizes/medicine/1988/black/facts/1
  2. Putting Theory into Practice: James Black, Receptor Theory and the Development of the Beta-Blockers at ICI, 1958–1978. (2006). https://pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/articles/PMC1369014/12
  3. Health Canada Drug Product Database — DETENSOL TAB 10MG (DIN 00511560). Health Canada (n.d.). https://health-products.canada.ca/dpd-bdpp/info?lang=eng&code=39501
  4. Autorisation de mise sur le marché de PROPRANOLOL ACCORD 40 mg (CIS 65135519). m.base-donnees-publique.medicaments.gouv.fr (n.d.). https://m.base-donnees-publique.medicaments.gouv.fr/info-651355191
  5. Anlage 1 AMVV — Arzneimittelverschreibungsverordnung (German Prescription Drug Regulation). Bundesministerium der Justiz / Gesetze im Internet (Germany) (n.d.). https://www.gesetze-im-internet.de/amvv/anlage_1.html1
  6. HPRA product authorisation PPA0465/509/001. hpra.ie (n.d.). https://www.hpra.ie/find-a-medicine/for-human-use/authorised-medicines/details/423521
  7. HPRA product authorisation PPA0465/509/001. hpra.ie (n.d.). https://www.hpra.ie/find-a-medicine/for-human-use/authorised-medicines/details/99041
  8. PMDA package insert for Propranolol Hydrochloride Tablets 10 mg ‘TSURUHARA’. pmda.go.jp (n.d.). https://www.pmda.go.jp/PmdaSearch/iyakuDetail/ResultDataSetPDF/460028_2123008F1277_1_101
  9. Geneesmiddelenwet; CBG product registration RVG 10217. geneesmiddeleninformatiebank.nl (n.d.). https://www.geneesmiddeleninformatiebank.nl/nl/rvg102171
  10. Geneesmiddelenwet; CBG product registration RVG 10217. cbg-meb.nl (n.d.). https://www.cbg-meb.nl/onderwerpen/handelsvergunning-procedures-handelsvergunning/hv-afleverstatus/ur-afleverstatus1

Further Reading

  1. FDA Label: Propranolol hydrochloride
  2. Kalam et al. 2020: Clinical Pharmacokinetics of Propranolol
  3. Kornischka et al. 2024: Propranolol for PTSD and phobias
  4. Srinivasan 2019: Propranolol 50-Year Historical Perspective

Article Status

  • Josie Kins avatar
    Step 1 · Automated synthesis

    An autonomous workflow built by Josie Kins compiled this article's foundation from information published across the web.

  • Lyrea avatar
    Step 2 · First-pass review

    A first pass manual review and edit of article prose and copy has been performed by subject-matter expert Lyrea. This does not guarantee factual accuracy. An additional human review for each of this article's citations is yet to be performed.

  • Step 3 · Citation reviewPending

    No one has reviewed this article's citations yet. That second pass checks each claim against the source it cites.

Recent changes7 human edits · latest

Times are UTCNewest first

24 January 2026

  1. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  2. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  3. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  4. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  5. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  6. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

  7. Josie Kins · Updated the article · also 1,4-Butanediol, 1B-LSD, 1cP-AL-LAD and 573 more

All changes to this article · Site-wide recent changes

Suggest an edit

Spotted a mistake, an outdated claim, or something missing from the Propranolol article? Send the editors a private note. Feedback lands in a moderation queue and is never shown on the site.

Wish to give generalised feedback? You can do so here.