Inderal (propranolol) dosage — how much to take and when
Did you know a single 10–40 mg dose of propranolol can calm performance anxiety within an hour? Inderal (propranolol) is a long-used beta blocker that treats very different problems — high blood pressure, migraines, tremor and even stage fright. The right dose depends on why you’re taking it, which formulation you use, and your health history. Below you’ll find practical, easy-to-use dosing ranges and real-world tips.
Common adult dosages by condition
Hypertension or angina: typical start is 40 mg twice daily (80 mg/day). Many people do well on 80–160 mg/day. Some need 240–320 mg/day but that’s for careful supervision and usually with the long-acting form.
Migraine prevention: most doctors prescribe 80–160 mg per day. Some patients use 40 mg twice daily, others move to 80 mg once daily using Inderal LA. Expect 4–8 weeks to see full benefit.
Essential tremor: common doses are 40 mg three times a day or 80–160 mg/day total. Start low and adjust until tremor improves or side effects limit treatment.
Arrhythmias: dosing varies a lot. Immediate-release tablets might be 10–30 mg three or four times daily for rate control. This must be guided by a clinician and ECG/heart-rate monitoring.
Performance anxiety (stage fright): single doses of 10–40 mg taken about 60 minutes before the event are common. Many people find 20–40 mg works well with minimal side effects for one-time use.
Practical tips, monitoring, and safety
Immediate-release Inderal is usually taken two to four times a day. Inderal LA (long-acting) is once daily. Take with food if you get nausea. Always start at the lowest effective dose and increase slowly as advised by your prescriber.
Do not stop suddenly. Stopping propranolol abruptly can cause rebound high blood pressure, fast heart rate, or chest pain. If you need to stop, your doctor will taper the dose over days to weeks.
Watch for side effects: fatigue, dizziness, cold hands, slow heart rate, sleep changes. Serious issues include breathing trouble (wheezing or shortness of breath), fainting, or very slow pulse. People with asthma, severe COPD, certain heart block, or uncontrolled heart failure often should not take propranolol.
Interactions to note: propranolol can enhance effects of other blood-pressure medicines and some heart drugs (like calcium channel blockers or digoxin). It can mask low blood sugar symptoms in people on insulin. Tell your clinician about all meds you take.
If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, elderly, or have liver disease, dosing may change. Always check with your prescriber before you start or change a dose. If you have questions about a specific dose for your situation, ask a pharmacist or doctor — they can tailor the dose and monitoring to you.
