Comprehensive Guide To The Medical Uses Of Propranolol
Describe The Therapeutic Uses Of Propranolol.
Answer:
The therapeutic uses of propranolol are:
- Essential hypertension: Propranolol is used alone or can be combined with either a diuretic or α-adrenergic blocking drug. The fall in blood pressure, when used alone, is gradual and without postural hypotension.
- Ischemic heart disease: It decreases the workload on the heart, diminishes myocardial oxygen demand, and increases exercise tolerance; hence, β-blockers benefit patients having angina of effort. The drug should be given continuously and not merely when an attack occurs.
- Myocardial infarction: β-blockers significantly decrease the incidence, recurrence, and mortality in cases of myocardial infarction after long-term use.
Medical Uses of Propranolol: Indications, Mechanism, and Dosage
- Cardiac arrhythmias: Propranolol is effective in all supraventricular tachycardias associated with high levels of circulating catecholamines, as occurs with the use of certain general anesthetics like halothane, in digitalis toxicity, pheochromocytoma, and thyrotoxicosis. The beneficial effect is mainly due to an increase in the refractory period of the AV node and direct membrane stabilizing action.
- Congestive cardiac failure: Propranolol should be introduced gradually and should be maintained for a long time. The drug tends to retard the progression of congestive cardiac failure.
- Dissecting aortic aneurysm: It reduces the cardiac contractile force and aortic pulsation. It also reduces the rate of development of pressure at the time of systole.
- Pheochromocytoma: The drug in pheochromocytoma controls cardiac manifestations such as tachycardia and arrhythmia.
Propranolol: Uses in Hypertension, Angina, and Arrhythmias
- Hyperthyroidism: The drug controls the sign and symptoms produced due to hyperthyroidism without affecting the thyroid status.
- Anxiety: Propranolol has antianxiety effects and controls palpitation, tachycardia, tremor, sweating, etc.
- Essential tremors: Propranolol provides relief in cases of essential tremors.
- Glaucoma: It reduces intraocular pressure by decreasing the production of aqueous humor.
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