Propranolol Dosage

People with high blood pressure are often prescribed a starting propranolol dosage of 40 mg twice daily. To improve survival following a heart attack, the recommended dose typically ranges from 180 mg to 240 mg a day. The usual propranolol dosage for people with pheochromocytoma is 30 mg daily. Do not adjust your dose of propranolol unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.

 

Propranolol Dosage: An Introduction

The dose of propranolol hydrochloride (Inderal®) that your healthcare provider prescribes will vary, depending on a number of factors, including:
 
  • Your age
  • The medical condition you are being treated for
  • Other medical conditions you may have
  • Other medications you may be currently taking
  • How you respond to propranolol.
     
As always, do not adjust your propranolol dosage unless your healthcare provider specifically instructs you to do so.
 

Propranolol Dosage for High Blood Pressure

The recommended starting dosage of propranolol for people with
 high blood pressure (hypertension) is 40 mg twice a day. After a couple of weeks, based on the blood pressure response and/or propranolol side effects, the propranolol dosage may be increased or decreased. Your healthcare provider may also add a diuretic (a "water pill") or another blood pressure medication if your blood pressure is not sufficiently controlled by propranolol alone.
 
Some people may need to take up to 640 mg a day (320 mg twice a day) in order to lower blood pressure enough. However, the usual dose for most people is somewhere between 120 mg and 240 mg a day, taken as several smaller doses (60 mg to 120 mg twice a day).
 
(Propranolol Dosage Continued: Page 2)
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Written by/reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD; Arthur Schoenstadt, MD
Last reviewed by: Kristi Monson, PharmD;