Hydrochlorothiazide / Propranolol Side Effects

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Mar 21, 2025.

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / propranolol: oral tablet.

Precautions

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood and urine tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

This medicine may cause serious allergic reactions including anaphylaxis. Anaphylaxis can be life-threatening and requires immediate medical attention. Call your doctor right away if you have a rash, itching, hoarseness, trouble breathing, trouble swallowing, or any swelling of your hands, face, lips, tongue, or throat while you are using this medicine.

This medicine may cause or worsen heart failure in some patients. Check with your doctor right away if you are having chest pain or discomfort, dilated neck veins, extreme fatigue, irregular breathing, an irregular heartbeat, swelling of the face, fingers, feet, or lower legs, trouble breathing, or weight gain.

Do not interrupt or Stop taking hydrochlorothiazide/propranolol without first checking with your doctor. Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount you are using before stopping it completely. Some conditions may become worse when the medicine is stopped suddenly, which can be dangerous.

This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. Also, this medicine may cover up signs of low blood sugar, such as a rapid pulse rate. Check with your doctor if you have these problems or if you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests.

Make sure any doctor or dentist who treats you knows that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before having surgery or medical tests.

Serious skin reactions (eg, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme) can occur during treatment with this medicine. Check with your doctor right away if you start having skin itching, swelling, rash, or redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, or any other unusual effects that may be caused by this medicine.

Check with your doctor right away if you start having dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea or vomiting, unusual tiredness or weakness, severe drowsiness or dizziness, seizures, a decrease in urine, or a fast heartbeat while you are using this medicine. These may be symptoms of dehydration or mineral imbalance.

Check with your doctor immediately if blurred vision, difficulty in reading, eye pain, or any other change in vision occurs during or after treatment. This could be a sign of a serious eye problem. Your doctor will want you to have your eyes checked by an ophthalmologist (eye doctor).

This medicine may increase your risk of getting skin cancer (eg, non-melanoma skin cancer). Avoid sun exposure. Use a sunscreen when you are outdoors. Avoid sunlamps and tanning beds. Talk to your doctor if you have concerns about this risk.

Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used with this medicine. Tell your doctor if you are drinking alcohol or using pain relievers or sleeping pills.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may increase your blood pressure.

Serious side effects

Along with its needed effects, hydrochlorothiazide / propranolol may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / propranolol:

Get emergency help immediately if any of the following symptoms of overdose occur while taking hydrochlorothiazide / propranolol:

Symptoms of overdose

• change in consciousness
• decreased urination
• fast, slow, or shallow breathing
• gas
• heartburn
• increase in heart rate
• increased sweating
• indigestion
• loss of consciousness
• low blood pressure
• muscle cramps
• pale or blue lips, fingernails, or skin
• rapid breathing
• seizures
• sunken eyes
• unusual drowsiness, dullness, or feeling of sluggishness
• unusual paleness
• weakness and heaviness of the legs
• wrinkled skin

Other side effects

Some side effects of hydrochlorothiazide / propranolol may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects.

Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

For healthcare professionals

Applies to hydrochlorothiazide / propranolol: oral capsule extended release, oral tablet.

Cardiovascular adverse events

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Orthostatic hypotension, vasculitis

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Congestive heart failure, hypotension, intensification of atrioventricular block, bradycardia, arterial insufficiency^[Ref]

Dermatologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Cutaneous vasculitis, urticaria, rash, photosensitivity, purpura, erythema multiforme, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis, toxic epidermal necrolysis

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Erythematous rash, alopecia, psoriasiform rashes, Stevens-Johnson syndrome, toxic epidermal necrolysis, exfoliative dermatitis, erythema multiforme, urticaria^[Ref]

Gastrointestinal

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Pancreatitis, sialadenitis, nausea, vomiting, gastric irritation, cramping, diarrhea, constipation

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Mesenteric arterial thrombosis, ischemic colitis, nausea, vomiting, epigastric distress, abdominal cramping, diarrhea, constipation^[Ref]

Genitourinary

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Glycosuria

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Male impotence, Peyronie's disease^[Ref]

Hematologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, thrombocytopenia

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Thrombocytopenic purpura, agranulocytosis, non-thrombocytopenic purpura, alkaline phosphatase increased, lactate dehydrogenase increased^[Ref]

Immunologic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Anaphylactic reactions

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Hypersensitivity reactions, anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions^[Ref]

Metabolic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Anorexia, hyperglycemia, hyperuricemia

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Serum potassium increased, blood urea increased^[Ref]

Musculoskeletal

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Muscle spasm

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Systemic lupus erythematosus, lupus erythematosus-like reactions^[Ref]

Nervous system

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Dizziness, vertigo, headache, paresthesias

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Paresthesia of hands, short-term memory loss, slightly clouded sensorium, decreased performance on neuropsychometrics, lightheadedness, lethargy^[Ref]

Ocular

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Xanthopsia, transient blurred vision

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Visual disturbances, dry eyes^[Ref]

Other

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Fever, weakness

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Lassitude, weakness, fatigue, fever, aching^[Ref]

Psychiatric

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Restlessness

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Reversible mental depression progressing to catatonia, mental depression manifested by insomnia, an acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation for time and place, emotional lability, hallucinations, vivid dreams^[Ref]

Respiratory

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Respiratory distress, pneumonitis

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Laryngospasm, respiratory distress, pharyngitis, sore throat, bronchospasm^[Ref]

Hepatic

Hydrochlorothiazide:

• Frequency not reported: Intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice

Propranolol:

• Frequency not reported: Serum transaminase increased^[Ref]

See also:

Further information

Hydrochlorothiazide/propranolol side effects can vary depending on the individual. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Note: Medication side effects may be underreported. If you are experiencing side effects that are not listed, submit a report to the FDA by following this guide.

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