Proper Use

Drug information provided by: Merative, Micromedex®

Take this medicine only as directed by your doctor. Do not take more of it, do not take it more often, and do not take it for a longer time than your doctor ordered. Your dose may need to be changed several times in order to find out what works best for you.

This medicine should come with a Medication Guide and patient directions. Read and follow these instructions carefully. Ask your doctor if you have any questions.

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium (salt). Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Swallow the long-acting oral capsules and tablets whole. Do not break, chew, crush, or open them.

Propranolol extended-release capsules should be taken at bedtime (10 pm). This medicine may be taken with or without food. However, you should take it the same way each time.

Measure the concentrated oral solution, Intensol™ with the dropper that comes with the package. You may mix the concentrated solution with water, juice, soda, applesauce, or pudding to make it easier to swallow, then take the mixture right away.

Measure the oral liquid with the dosing syringe that comes with the package. It should be given directly into the child's mouth, during or right after eating or breastfeeding. It may also be mixed with a small amount of milk or fruit juice and given with a baby's bottle. Do not shake before use.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

  • For acute heart attack:
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—180 to 240 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) three times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma):
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—60 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses for 3 days before having surgery. In patients who cannot have surgery, the usual dose is 30 mg per day, given in divided doses.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—60 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses for 3 days before having surgery. In patients who cannot have surgery, the usual dose is 30 mg per day, given in divided doses.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For chest pain (angina):
    • For oral dosage form (long-acting oral capsules):
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. The dose is usually not more than 320 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—80 to 320 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—80 to 320 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure (hypertension):
    • For oral dosage form (extended-release capsules):
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) once a day, given at bedtime. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 120 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (long-acting oral capsules):
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For hypertrophic subaortic stenosis (thickened heart muscle):
    • For oral dosage form (long-acting oral capsules):
      • Adults—80 to 160 milligrams (mg) once a day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—20 to 40 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day, given before meals and at bedtime.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—20 to 40 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day, given before meals and at bedtime.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For irregular heartbeats:
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—10 to 30 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day, given before meals and at bedtime.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—10 to 30 milligrams (mg) three or four times a day, given before meals and at bedtime.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For migraine headaches:
    • For oral dosage form (long-acting oral capsules):
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. The dose is usually not more than 240 mg per day.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 80 milligrams (mg) per day, given in divided doses. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For proliferating infantile hemangioma:
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Children 5 weeks to 5 months of age—Dose is based on your child's body weight and must be determined by the doctor. The starting dose is usually 0.6 milligram (mg) (0.15 milliliters [mL]) per kilogram (kg) of your child's body weight 2 times a day, taken at least 9 hours apart. Give the dose during or immediately after a feeding. Do not administer the dose if the infant is vomiting or not eating. After 1 week, the doctor will increase the dose to 1.1 mg (0.3 mL) per kg of body weight two times a day. After 2 weeks, the doctor will increase the dose to 1.7 mg (0.4 mL) per kg of body weight 2 times a day, taken for 6 months.
      • Children under 5 weeks of age—Use is not recommended.
  • For tremors:
    • For oral dosage form (solution):
      • Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
    • For oral dosage form (tablets):
      • Adults—At first, 40 milligrams (mg) two times a day. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed.
      • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Throw away any unused Hemangeol® after 2 months.

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Portions of this document last updated: Feb. 01, 2024

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