Patient was educated on precautions to be exercised while taking Propranolol as follows:
- Propranolol use is contraindicated in individuals with abnormally slow heart rates, such as, in individuals with damaged natural pacemaker of the heart.
- Propranolol use is contraindicated in individuals with history of asthma, COPD, and with any other issues resulting in episodes of difficulty breathing. Report to your doctor regarding any symptoms of exacerbation of shortness of breath and any episodes of asthma, while using Propranolol.
- Observe compliance with any regular lab work ordered. As Propranolol is metabolized significantly in the liver and eliminated by the kidneys, hepatic and renal function could be periodically monitored, while taking this medication.
- Take a blood pressure reading always before you take the pill. Maintain a log of every day blood pressure reading. If the blood pressure is too low, you can defer taking the medication for that dose. Notify your doctor, if more of such occurrences are happening, so that, your medication dose could be revised.
- If a dose is missed, it should be taken at the earliest notice of noncompliance. If it is time for the next dose, the missed dose can be skipped. Compensating for the missed dose by taking an extra dose can pose serious risk for an episode of extremely low blood pressure and heart rate, and acute episode of bronchoconstriction with shortness of breath, thus precipitating an emergency.
