Syprol

What is it?

A non-cardioselective β-blocker available as an oral solution in 3 strengths containing 5mg, 10mg and 50mg of propanolol hydrochloride per 5ml.

Medical Uses

Prevention of second heart attack, heart arrhythmias, enlarged, damaged obstructed heart (hypertrohic obstructive cardiomyopathy), angina, Fallot's Tetralogy, high blood pressure, additional treatment in toxicity of thyroid gland, phaeochromocytoma (adrenal gland tumour), treatment of symptoms of situational and generalised anxiety, prevention of migraine.

Dosage

Adults, prevention of heart attack, starting 5 to 21 days after 1st attack, 40mg 4 times each day for 2 to 3 days, then 80mg twice each day. Heart arrhythmias, cardiomyopathy, 10 to 40mg 3 to 4 times each day. Angina, 40mg 2 or 3 times each day at first, increasing gradually at 1 week intervals to usual dose in order of 120 to 240mg each day. High blood pressure, 80mg twice each day at first, increasing, if needed, gradually at 1 week intervals to 160 to 320mg each day. Phaeochromocytoma, 60mg each day along with an α-blocker for 3 days before operation to remove tumour. Or, in malignant, inoperable tumours, 30mg of Syprol each day. Thyrotoxicosis, 10 to 40mg 3 to 4 times each day. Situational anxiety, 40mg twice each day; generalised anxiety, 40mg twice each day at first, increasing to 3 times each day, if needed. Prevention of migraine, 40mg 2 or 3 times each day at first, increasing by 40mg at weekly intervals, if needed, to usual dose in order of 80 to 160mg each day. Children, arrhythmias, 0.25 to 0.5mg per kg of body weight, 3 to 4 times each day; Fallot's Tetralogy, up to 1mg per kg of body weight 3 to 4 times each day. Phaeochromocytoma, 0.25 to 0.5mg per kg of body weight 3 to 4 times each day, according to need. Prevention of migraine, 20mg 2 to 3 times each day.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic acidosis, poor cerebral blood supply, history of bronchospasm, those undergoing anaesthesia; patients with weak hearts should be treated with digitalis and diuretics. Drug should be stopped gradually.

Avoid Use

Children, patients with asthma, heart diseases including heart block, heart shock, slow heartbeat rate, heart failure.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Cardiac depressants, anaesthetics, reserpine, sedatives, class II calcium antagonists, anti- hypertensives, sympathomimetics, cimetidine, indomethacin, ergot- amine, class I antiarrhythmic drugs, verapamil, clonidine withdrawal, hypoglycaemics, rifamoicin, warfarin, ibuprofen.

Known Side Effects

Sleep disturbance, cold feet and hands, slow heartbeat, fatigue on exercise, wheeziness, heart failure, gastrointestinal disorders; dry eyes or skin rash (stop use gradually), hair loss, low blood pressure, thrombocytopenia (abnormal decline in blood platelets causing increased likelihood of bleeding).