Ask your prescriber or pharmacist about alcohol while taking propranolol. Alcohol can increase its blood-pressure-lowering effect, making dizziness or lightheadedness more likely. There is no single waiting period or number of drinks that is safe for everyone.
Do not skip a dose or stop propranolol so that you can drink. The reason it was prescribed, your other medicines, your health conditions, and your drinking pattern all matter.
What is propranolol?
Propranolol is a beta blocker. It affects the body’s response to signals such as adrenaline and can slow the heart rate. It is prescribed for several cardiovascular conditions and other indications, including migraine prevention and certain tremors. It is also sometimes prescribed for physical symptoms of anxiety; a prescriber should explain the indication and its status for your situation.
It should not be described simply as a sedative or as a medicine that treats every aspect of anxiety. Ask why it was prescribed in your case rather than assuming another person’s regimen applies to you.
Why can alcohol increase the risks?
The NHS advises that drinking alcohol can increase propranolol’s blood-pressure-lowering effect and make a person dizzy or lightheaded. MedlinePlus also advises discussing alcohol use with a doctor because alcohol may increase the amount of propranolol in the body.
How someone responds can vary. A person who already feels faint or unwell should not assume that a small amount of alcohol will be harmless. Other medicines and health conditions can change the risk.
Can I drink if I leave several hours between them?
This article cannot provide a safe spacing schedule. Propranolol comes in different formulations, and medication effects do not necessarily end when a person stops noticing them. Ask the prescriber or pharmacist about your exact product and circumstances. Do not change a prescribed schedule to fit drinking plans.
What if I already drank while taking propranolol?
If you feel unwell or are unsure what to do, contact a healthcare professional for advice that accounts for the amount of alcohol, the medication, and your symptoms. Fainting, breathing difficulty, or another severe symptom needs urgent medical assessment. Do not drive if you feel dizzy or impaired.
Can I stop propranolol before drinking?
Do not stop it without talking with your prescriber. Sudden discontinuation can cause serious heart problems in some circumstances. A clinician should decide whether any change is appropriate.
Questions for your prescriber or pharmacist
- Why was propranolol prescribed, and which formulation am I taking?
- Should I avoid alcohol given my other medicines and health history?
- What symptoms should prompt urgent help?
- What should I do if drinking is difficult to control?
If alcohol use is a concern, you can ask about outpatient alcohol treatment. Visit Planning Your Visit or contact CT Addiction Medicine to ask whether an assessment is appropriate. This does not imply that propranolol is a treatment for alcohol use disorder or alcohol withdrawal.
Sources
General educational information. Follow the instructions of your prescriber and pharmacist for your medication.