Is It Safe To Have Double Dosage Of Propranolol?

Posted on Fri, 26 Jun 2015

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 26 Jun 2015 Answered on

Thu, 16 Jul 2015 Last reviewed on

Question : Hello,
I take 60mg Propranolol ER for occasional tachycardia and palpitations. I've had the medicine for 2 months. The prescription is for 1-2 pills a day, but I always only take 1 as I've found it effective. I usually take the medicine at 5PM.

This morning, I confused it with another medicine I take, so I took it at 7AM (about 3 hours ago), despite having already taken one last night.

I'm wondering: will this have any harmful effects? AND: should I still take the 5PM dose, or should I skip it and take the medicine again tomorrow at 5PM? I'm not sure if it's more problematic to have one extra pill in my system for the next 20 hours, or to go an extra 12 hours without taking the medicine.

Thank you

Answered by Dr. Rakesh Madhyastha (7 hours later)

Brief Answer:
take the medicine

Detailed Answer:
Hello

Thanks for the query

I understand your anxiety, propranolol is a wonderful drug to treat tachycardia and also to lowery sympathetic activity. It is a weak anti hypertensive. At the dosage you are taking there are not many side effects, occasionally patients might face loss of sex drive and loss of hair.

It is ok that you have taken one extra pill of propranolol. Please continue with the prescription from today evening.

Ivabrad is also a good drug for tachycardia, it has even lesser side effects than propranolol. Discuss this with your doctor during your next visit

I hope I was of help, if you have any further queries please get back to me

Regards

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar