Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide

Generic name: Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide [ proe-PRAN-oh-lole-& hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide ]
Drug class: Beta blockers with thiazides

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Apr 22, 2024.

Uses of Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide:

• It is used to treat high blood pressure.

What do I need to tell my doctor BEFORE I take Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide?

• If you have an allergy to propranolol, hydrochlorothiazide, or any other part of propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide.
• If you are allergic to propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide; any part of propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide; or any other drugs, foods, or substances. Tell your doctor about the allergy and what signs you had.
• If you have any of these health problems: Certain types of abnormal heartbeats called heart block or sick-sinus syndrome, heart failure (weak heart), low blood pressure, poor blood flow to the arms or legs, shock caused by heart problems, or a slow heartbeat.
• If you have any of these health problems: Asthma or other breathing problems like COPD (chronic obstructive pulmonary disease).
• If you have kidney disease.
• If you are not able to pass urine.
• If you are taking dofetilide.
• If you are breast-feeding or plan to breast-feed.

This is not a list of all drugs or health problems that interact with propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide.

Tell your doctor and pharmacist about all of your drugs (prescription or OTC, natural products, vitamins) and health problems. You must check to make sure that it is safe for you to take propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide with all of your drugs and health problems. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any drug without checking with your doctor.

What are some things I need to know or do while I take Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide?

• Tell all of your health care providers that you take propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide. This includes your doctors, nurses, pharmacists, and dentists.
• Avoid driving and doing other tasks or actions that call for you to be alert until you see how propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide affects you.
• To lower the chance of feeling dizzy or passing out, rise slowly if you have been sitting or lying down. Be careful going up and down stairs.
• Check blood pressure and heart rate as the doctor has told you.
• Have blood work checked as you have been told by the doctor. Talk with the doctor.
• This medicine may affect certain lab tests. Tell all of your health care providers and lab workers that you take propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide.
• Talk with your doctor before you drink alcohol or use other drugs and natural products that slow your actions.
• This medicine may hide the signs of low blood sugar. Talk with the doctor.
• If you have high blood sugar (diabetes), you will need to watch your blood sugar closely.
• Tell your doctor if you have signs of high or low blood sugar like breath that smells like fruit, dizziness, fast breathing, fast heartbeat, feeling confused, feeling sleepy, feeling weak, flushing, headache, more thirsty or hungry, passing urine more often, shaking, or sweating.
• Watch for gout attacks.
• If you have lupus, propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide can make your lupus active or get worse. Tell your doctor right away if you get any new or worse signs.
• This medicine may make you sunburn more easily. Use care if you will be in the sun. Tell your doctor if you sunburn easily while taking this drug.
• Call your doctor right away if you have signs of kidney problems like not able to pass urine; change in how much urine is passed; bloody, brown, or foamy urine; shortness of breath or cough; or puffy or swollen face, feet, or hands.
• This medicine can cause certain eye problems. If left untreated, this can lead to lasting eyesight loss. If eye problems happen, signs like change in eyesight or eye pain most often happen within hours to weeks of starting propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide. Call your doctor right away if you have these signs.
• This medicine may make it harder to tell if you have signs of an overactive thyroid like fast heartbeat. If you have an overactive thyroid and stop taking propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide all of a sudden, it may get worse and could be life-threatening. Talk with your doctor.
• If you have had a very bad allergic reaction, talk with your doctor. You may have a chance of an even worse reaction if you come into contact with what caused your allergy. If you use epinephrine to treat very bad allergic reactions, talk with your doctor. Epinephrine may not work as well while you are taking propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant. You will need to talk about the benefits and risks of using propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide while you are pregnant.

How is this medicine (Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide) best taken?

Use propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide as ordered by your doctor. Read all information given to you. Follow all instructions closely.

• Keep taking propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide as you have been told by your doctor or other health care provider, even if you feel well.
• This medicine may cause you to pass urine more often. To keep from having sleep problems, try not to take too close to bedtime.
• Be careful in hot weather or while being active. Drink lots of fluids to stop fluid loss.
• Tell your doctor if you have too much sweat, fluid loss, throwing up, or loose stools. This may lead to low blood pressure.
• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, talk with your pharmacist about how to take them with propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide.
• Talk with your doctor before using OTC products that may raise blood pressure. These include cough or cold drugs, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and some natural products or aids.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as you think about it.
• If it is close to the time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your normal time.
• Do not take 2 doses at the same time or extra doses.

What are some side effects that I need to call my doctor about right away?

WARNING/CAUTION: Even though it may be rare, some people may have very bad and sometimes deadly side effects when taking a drug. Tell your doctor or get medical help right away if you have any of the following signs or symptoms that may be related to a very bad side effect:

• Signs of an allergic reaction, like rash; hives; itching; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin with or without fever; wheezing; tightness in the chest or throat; trouble breathing, swallowing, or talking; unusual hoarseness; or swelling of the mouth, face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Signs of fluid and electrolyte problems like mood changes, confusion, muscle pain or weakness, a heartbeat that does not feel normal, very bad dizziness or passing out, fast heartbeat, more thirst, seizures, feeling very tired or weak, not hungry, unable to pass urine or change in the amount of urine produced, dry mouth, dry eyes, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Signs of a pancreas problem (pancreatitis) like very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, or very bad upset stomach or throwing up.
• Very bad dizziness or passing out.
• Chest pain that is new or worse.
• Slow heartbeat.
• A heartbeat that does not feel normal.
• Shortness of breath, a big weight gain, or swelling in the arms or legs.
• Feeling confused.
• Hallucinations (seeing or hearing things that are not there).
• Memory problems or loss.
• Mood changes.
• A burning, numbness, or tingling feeling that is not normal.
• Feeling cold in the arms or legs.
• Restlessness.
• Any unexplained bruising or bleeding.
• Fever or chills.
• Sore throat.
• Yellow skin or eyes.
• Not able to get or keep an erection.
• Any skin change.
• A very bad skin reaction (Stevens-Johnson syndrome/toxic epidermal necrolysis) may happen. It can cause very bad health problems that may not go away, and sometimes death. Get medical help right away if you have signs like red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin (with or without fever); red or irritated eyes; or sores in your mouth, throat, nose, or eyes.

Related/similar drugs

What are some other side effects of Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide?

All drugs may cause side effects. However, many people have no side effects or only have minor side effects. Call your doctor or get medical help if any of these side effects or any other side effects bother you or do not go away:

• Dizziness.
• Feeling sleepy.
• Feeling tired or weak.
• Headache.
• Upset stomach or throwing up.
• Stomach cramps.
• Constipation.
• Diarrhea.
• Not hungry.
• Trouble sleeping.
• Strange or odd dreams.

These are not all of the side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, call your doctor. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects.

You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-332-1088. You may also report side effects at https://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

How do I store and/or throw out Propranolol and Hydrochlorothiazide?

• Store at room temperature.
• Protect from heat and light.
• Store in a dry place. Do not store in a bathroom.
• Keep all drugs in a safe place. Keep all drugs out of the reach of children and pets.
• Throw away unused or expired drugs. Do not flush down a toilet or pour down a drain unless you are told to do so. Check with your pharmacist if you have questions about the best way to throw out drugs. There may be drug take-back programs in your area.

Consumer Information Use and Disclaimer

• If your symptoms or health problems do not get better or if they become worse, call your doctor.
• Do not share your drugs with others and do not take anyone else's drugs.
• Some drugs may have another patient information leaflet. Check with your pharmacist. If you have any questions about propranolol and hydrochlorothiazide, please talk with your doctor, nurse, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• If you think there has been an overdose, call your poison control center or get medical care right away. Be ready to tell or show what was taken, how much, and when it happened.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer