Description
What is Betacap® Propranolol Capsule?
Propranolol, sold under the brand name Inderal among others, is a medication of the beta blocker class. It is used to treat high blood pressure, a number of types of irregular heart rates, thyrotoxicosis, capillary hemangiomas, performance anxiety, and essential tremors, as well as to prevent migraine headaches, and to prevent further heart problems in those with angina or previous heart attacks. It can be taken by mouth or by injection into a vein. The formulation that is taken by mouth comes in short-acting and long-acting versions. Propranolol appears in the blood after 30 minutes and has a maximum effect between 60 and 90 minutes when taken by mouth.
Propranolol is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. Lowering blood pressure may reduce the risk of stroke and heart attacks.
Propranolol is also used to treat severe chest pain (angina), migraine headaches, or hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (thickened heart muscle). This medicine may also be used to treat irregular heartbeats, tremors, or pheochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumor). It may also be used to reduce the risk of death in patients who have heart attacks.
This medicine is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased in the heart.
Betacap® Propranolol Capsule helps decrease anxiety and relieve tremors. It is also used to help prevent migraine, heart-related chest pain (angina), and bleeding in the stomach caused by high blood pressure in the liver (portal hypertension).
Betacap® Propranolol Capsule may also be used to treat high blood pressure and some types of abnormal heartbeat (arrhythmia). The dose will depend on what you are being treated for and how you respond to the medicine. You should always take it as prescribed by the doctor. It should be taken on an empty stomach and at about the same time each day. You should keep taking it even if you feel well, as you are still getting the benefits. If you stop taking it suddenly, your condition may worsen.
The most common side effects are tiredness, weakness cold fingers and toes (Raynaud phenomenon), irregular or slow heartbeat, numbness in your fingers, and breathlessness. You may also experience nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Talk to your doctor if the side effects bother you or do not go away. Most side effects are short-lived and improve as your body gets used to the medicine.
You should not use this medicine if you have asthma, very slow or uneven heartbeats, or a serious heart condition, including heart failure. Talk to your doctor before taking it if you have kidney or liver problems or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). In terms of lifestyle, alcohol may affect the way this medicine works and should be avoided. You should not drive if this medicine makes you feel dizzy. Ask your doctor whether it is safe to take this medicine if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Betacap Capsule contains Propranolol, a beta blocker. It works by affecting the body’s response to nerve impulses, especially in the heart. It slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body. This prevents arrhythmias. It also widens the blood vessels in the body for better blood flow, thereby preventing angina as well as migraine.
The exact mechanism by which it prevents tremors is not known, but experts believe that Betacap Capsule helps block the nerve impulses to the muscles responsible for tremors. Propranolol helps block the effects of the chemical messengers namely, adrenaline and noradrenaline, that are produced by the brain and are responsible for increasing your heart rate which makes you feel anxious. This way it helps with anxiety.
While treating pheochromocytoma, Betacap Capsule may be given to block the action of high-adrenaline hormones, to lower the risk of developing dangerously high blood pressure during surgery for removing the tumor.
Benefits of Betacap® Propranolol Capsule
In Treatment of Pheochromocytoma. While carrying out surgery for the removal of pheochromocytoma, there is a risk of abnormally high blood pressure. Propranolol blocks the effect of some chemicals on your heart and blood vessels. This slows down the heart rate and helps the heartbeat with less force thereby lowering your blood pressure. It is used for the immediate reduction of very high blood pressure (hypertensive emergency). Controlled blood pressure reduces the risk of having a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems.
In Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure). Propranolol relaxes the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body. This lowers your blood pressure and reduces your risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, or kidney problems in the future. You do not usually feel any direct benefit from taking this medicine, but it works in the long term to keep you well. You should take it regularly as prescribed for this medicine to be the most effective, even if you feel better.
In the Prevention of migraine. Propranolol helps improve the flow of blood in your brain and prevents the abnormal activity of muscles that trigger migraines. It is a very effective medicine for preventing migraine attacks, however, it does not treat an attack that has already started. By preventing and reducing the frequency of migraine attacks, the medicine can help you carry out your daily activities and improve your quality of life.
In Treatment of Anxiety. Propranolol stops your brain from releasing the chemicals that make you feel anxious so it can reduce the symptoms of excessive anxiety and worry. It can also reduce feelings of restlessness, tiredness, difficulty concentrating, feeling irritable, and sleep problems that often come with Anxiety Disorder. Propranolol will therefore help you go about your daily activities more easily and be more productive. Keep taking this medicine even if you feel well. Stopping suddenly can cause serious problems.
In Treatment of Arrhythmia. Propranolol is used to stabilize heart rate. It helps in normalizing an abnormal heart rhythm, preventing it from occurring in the first place, or slowing down the heart rate during an episode.
In Prevention of a Heart attack. Propranolol helps lower your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. This reduces the chances of you having a heart attack. It can also reduce the risk of dying if it is given immediately after a heart attack. This medicine needs to be taken regularly to be effective, so keep taking it even if you feel well. Do not stop without talking to your doctor.
In Prevention of Angina (heart-related chest pain). Propranolol relaxes the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily around your body and makes sure that your heart is getting a good supply of oxygen. This makes it less likely that you will suffer chest pain caused by angina. This medicine can help increase your ability to exercise and go about your daily life more easily by reducing the frequency of angina attacks. You should take it regularly and as long as it is prescribed for it to work effectively.
In Treatment of Tremors. Propranolol helps improve the flow of blood and prevents the abnormal activity of muscles that trigger tremors. This medicine can therefore enhance the quality of life by improving the ability to carry out daily functions in a better manner.
