By using this site, you agree to the Privacy Policy and Terms of Use.
Accept
Pharmacology MentorPharmacology MentorPharmacology Mentor
  • Home
  • Bookmarks
  • Pages
    • Terms and conditions
    • Submit a Topic or Chapter
    • Ask for a topic
    • Copyright Statement
    • Privacy Policy
    • Contact
    • About
  • Quizzes
    • Quiz on Antihyperlipidemics
    • Quiz on Antihypertensives
    • Quiz on Antiarrhythmics
    • Quiz on Drugs for CCF
    • Practice Quizzes on Antidiabetic drugs
    • Practice Quizzes on Drugs used in GI Disorders
    • CVS Post lab Quiz
    • Quiz on Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
    • Drugs acting on CNS – All CNS topics EXCEPT NSAIDs
    • Drugs acting on ANS
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: Antiprotozoal and antihelminthic drugs
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antimalarial Drugs
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antiviral and antifungal drugs
    • OC Pills
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antibacterials
    • Quizzes at MedQuizzify
  • Blog
  • Chapters
    • General
    • CVS
    • Antimicrobial
    • Neuropharmacology
    • ANS
    • PNS
    • GI
    • Endocrine
    • Hematology
    • miscellaneous
  • Drug Monographs
Search
  • Advertise
© 2024 Pharmacology Mentor. All Rights Reserved.
Reading: Pharmacology of Propranolol
Share
Sign In
Notification Show More
Font ResizerAa
Pharmacology MentorPharmacology Mentor
Font ResizerAa
Search
  • Home
  • Blog
  • Bookmarks
  • Terms and conditions
  • Submit a Topic or Chapter
  • Ask for a topic
  • Copyright Statement
  • Contact
  • Quizzes
    • Quiz on Antihyperlipidemics
    • Quiz on Antiarrhythmics
    • Quiz on Drugs for CCF
    • Quiz on Antihypertensives
    • Practice Quizzes on Antidiabetic drugs
    • Practice Quizzes on Drugs used in GI Disorders
    • Quiz on Pharmacokinetics and Pharmacodynamics
    • Drugs acting on CNS – All CNS topics EXCEPT NSAIDs
    • NSAIDs
    • CVS Post lab Quiz
    • Drugs acting on ANS
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antimalarial Drugs
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy: Antiprotozoal and antihelminthic drugs
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antiviral and antifungal drugs
    • OC Pills
    • Antimicrobial Chemotherapy – Antibacterials
  • About
Have an existing account? Sign In
Follow US
  • Advertise
© 2024 Pharmacology Mentor. All Rights Reserved.
Pharmacology Mentor > Blog > Pharmacology > CVS > Pharmacology of Propranolol
CVSPharmacology

Pharmacology of Propranolol

Last updated: 2024/03/12 at 4:07 AM
Pharmacology Mentor 138 Views
Share
3 Min Read
Beta blockers - Propranolol
SHARE

Introduction

Propranolol, a beta-adrenergic blocker, has been a mainstay in the treatment of various cardiovascular diseases. First synthesized in the 1960s, it revolutionized the management of conditions like hypertension, angina pectoris, and cardiac arrhythmias.

Contents
IntroductionChemical Structure and PropertiesMechanism of ActionPharmacokineticsTherapeutic UsesAdverse EffectsContraindications and PrecautionsDrug InteractionsSpecial ConsiderationsFuture PerspectivesConclusion

Chemical Structure and Properties

Propranolol

Propranolol is a synthetic, non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. Its chemical structure is (RS)-1-(isopropylamino)-3-(1-naphthyloxy)propan-2-ol. This lipophilic compound has a high degree of protein binding and a volume of distribution that indicates extensive tissue uptake.

Mechanism of Action

Propranolol’s primary mechanism is the blockade of beta-adrenergic receptors, particularly β1 and β2 receptors. This blockade results in:

  • Decreased heart rate and myocardial contractility, reducing cardiac workload and oxygen demand.
  • Inhibition of renin release from the kidneys, contributing to its antihypertensive effects.

Pharmacokinetics

  • Absorption: Propranolol is almost completely absorbed after oral administration, but its bioavailability is reduced to about 25-35% due to extensive first-pass metabolism.
  • Distribution: It is widely distributed throughout the body, crosses the blood-brain barrier, and is found in breast milk.
  • Metabolism: Metabolized primarily in the liver through hydroxylation and conjugation.
  • Excretion: Excreted predominantly in the urine, with a half-life of about 3 to 6 hours, which can be prolonged in patients with hepatic impairment.

Therapeutic Uses

  • Cardiovascular Diseases: Including hypertension, angina pectoris, and certain types of tachyarrhythmias.
  • Secondary Prevention of Myocardial Infarction: Reduces the risk of mortality and reinfarction.
  • Other Uses: Effective in the prophylactic treatment of migraines, essential tremor, and in certain psychiatric conditions like performance anxiety.

Adverse Effects

  • Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, hypotension, and in rare cases, heart failure.
  • Respiratory: Bronchospasm, particularly in patients with a history of bronchial asthma.
  • Central Nervous System: Fatigue, dizziness, and depression.
  • Gastrointestinal: Nausea, vomiting, and abdominal discomfort.
  • Others: Hypoglycemia in diabetic patients, sexual dysfunction, and exacerbation of Raynaud’s phenomenon.

Contraindications and Precautions

  • Contraindications: Asthma, COPD, severe bradycardia, second or third-degree heart block, and severe peripheral arterial disease.
  • Precautions: Should be used with caution in patients with diabetes, thyroid disorders, and in those undergoing surgery.

Drug Interactions

Propranolol interacts with a variety of drugs. These include:

  • Other Cardiovascular Drugs: Additive effects with other antihypertensives.
  • CYP450 Modulators: Drugs that induce or inhibit hepatic enzymes can affect propranolol metabolism.
  • Insulin and Antidiabetic Drugs: Altered hypoglycemic response.
  • NSAIDs: Reduced antihypertensive effect.
  • Anesthetic Agents: Increased risk of hypotension and bradycardia.

Special Considerations

  • Pregnancy and Lactation: Propranolol crosses the placenta and is found in breast milk. Its use during pregnancy and lactation should be carefully considered.
  • Elderly Patients: May require dose adjustments due to decreased hepatic function and increased sensitivity to the drug’s effects.

Future Perspectives

Emerging research indicates potential new therapeutic uses and formulations of propranolol, expanding its clinical applicability.

Conclusion

Propranolol, with its multifaceted pharmacological actions, remains a versatile drug in clinical medicine. Its comprehensive understanding is crucial for optimizing therapeutic outcomes while minimizing adverse effects.

Disclaimer: This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute medical advice. Always seek the advice of a healthcare provider with any questions regarding a medical condition.

You Might Also Like

Drug receptor classes

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs in India: A Comprehensive Overview

Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: A Comprehensive Overview

The Concept of P-Drugs in Rational Prescribing

Pharmacology of Antiviral Drugs

TAGGED: beta blocker, beta-adrenergic blocker, Pharmacology, Propranolol

Sign Up For Daily Newsletter

Be keep up! Get the latest breaking news delivered straight to your inbox.

By signing up, you agree to our Terms of Use and acknowledge the data practices in our Privacy Policy. You may unsubscribe at any time.
Share This Article
Facebook Twitter Copy Link Print
Previous Article Testosterone Pharmacology of Testosterone
Next Article pilocarpine Pharmacology of Pilocarpine
Leave a review Leave a review

Leave a review Cancel reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *

Please select a rating!

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.

Most Popular Posts

  1. Drug Nomenclature: Drug Naming system (Dr. Ambadasu Bharatha) (604)
  2. Routes of Drug Administration: A detailed overview (Pharmacology Mentor) (589)
  3. Routes of Drug Administration (Pharmacology Mentor) (499)
  4. First-Order vs. Zero-Order Kinetics: What You Need to Know (Pharmacology Mentor) (422)
  5. Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs) – A Comprehensive Guide (Pharmacology Mentor) (416)
  6. Pharmacology Definitions and Terminology (Pharmacology Mentor) (358)
  7. Antimalarial Drugs – A Comprehensive Guide (Pharmacology Mentor) (318)
  8. Enzyme inducers: How they are important in the clinical pharmacology? (Pharmacology Mentor) (311)
  9. Drug Potency and Efficacy (Pharmacology Mentor) (291)
  10. Unlock the Power of Mnemonics in Pharmacology (anonymous) (267)

Categories

  • ANS26
  • Antimicrobial35
  • Clinical Pharmacology4
  • CVS31
  • Endocrine21
  • Featured15
  • General48
  • GI15
  • Hematology13
  • miscellaneous31
  • Neuropharmacology38
  • Pharmacology265
  • PNS2
  • Reproductive System10
  • Respiratory System7
  • Uncategorized1

Tags

Adverse effects Antibiotics Antiplatelet Drugs Aspirin Benzodiazepines beta-blockers Bioavailability Bipolar disorder calcium channel blockers Carbamazepine Clinical trials contraindications Coronary artery disease Dosage DRC drug absorption Drug Administration Drug classification drug design Drug development Drug discovery Drug Dosage Drug efficacy Drug formulation Drug interactions Drug metabolism Drug regulation Drugs Drug safety Generic drugs Headache Hypertension mechanism of action Medication Myocardial infarction Neurotransmitters Norepinephrine Pharmacodynamics Pharmacokinetics Pharmacological actions Pharmacology Pharmacovigilance Side effects Therapeutic uses Treatment

Latest Articles

drug receptors
Drug receptor classes
General Pharmacology August 31, 2025
otc drugs
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs in India: A Comprehensive Overview
miscellaneous Pharmacology August 29, 2025
otc drugs
Over-the-Counter (OTC) Drugs: A Comprehensive Overview
miscellaneous Pharmacology August 29, 2025
p-drugs
The Concept of P-Drugs in Rational Prescribing
miscellaneous Pharmacology August 28, 2025

Stay Connected

Facebook Like
//

Pharmacology Mentor is dedicated to serving as a useful resource for as many different types of users as possible, including students, researchers, healthcare professionals, and anyone interested in understanding pharmacology.

Quick Link

  • Terms and conditions
  • Copyright Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Ask for a topic
  • Submit a Topic or Chapter
  • Contact

Top Categories

  • Pharmacology
  • Antimicrobial
  • Neuropharmacology
  • Endocrine
  • Reproductive System
  • miscellaneous

Sign Up for Our Newsletter

Subscribe to our newsletter to get our newest articles instantly!

Pharmacology MentorPharmacology Mentor
Follow US
© 2024 Pharmacology Mentor. All Rights Reserved.
Pharmacology Mentor
Welcome Back!

Sign in to your account

Register Lost your password?