If you have certain heart conditions or headaches, your doctor might suggest Inderal LA or Inderal XL as a treatment option for you. Inderal LA and Inderal XL are prescription drugs used to lower high blood pressure in adults. Inderal LA is also approved for the following uses in adults:

  • prevention of migraine headaches
  • Hypertrophic subaortic stenosis is a heart condition that affects blood flow through your heart.
  • treatment of stable angina due to atherosclerosis

The active ingredient in Inderal LA and Inderal XL is propranolol. (An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.) Inderal LA and Inderal XL are available as capsules that you swallow.

If you and your doctor agree that Inderal LA or Inderal XL are safe and effective for you, you will most likely take the drug for a long time.

For more information about Inderal LA and Inderal XL, including details about their uses, see this in-depth article.

Inderal LA and Inderal XL can cause mild to serious side effects. Continue reading to learn more.

Mild to serious side effects may occur during Inderal LA or Inderal XL. There are some examples of reported side effects of these drugs.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

Mild side effects may be possible while taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. There are examples that have been reported with these drugs.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.

These side effects should be temporary. Some may be managed. If you have any symptoms that bother you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist. Unless your doctor recommends it, you should not stop taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL.

This list does not include all possible side effects associated with Inderal LA or Inderal XL. See the prescribing information for Inderal LA and Inderal XL for details.

Note: After the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approves a drug, it tracks side effects of the medication. If you’d like to notify the FDA about a side effect you’ve had with Inderal LA or Inderal XL, visit MedWatch.

Inderal LA and Inderal XL may cause serious side effects. These include:

This list does not include all possible side effects associated with Inderal LA or Inderal XL. See the prescribing information for Inderal LA and Inderal XL for details.

If you develop serious side effects while taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL, you should call your doctor. If the side effects seem life threatening or you think you have a medical emergency, immediately call the emergency number.

The side effects explained section is where you can learn more about this side effect.
† An allergic reaction is possible after taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. But it’s not clear whether this side effect occurred in studies.

There are answers to some frequently asked questions about Inderal LA and Inderal XL.

Does Inderal LA or Inderal XL cause weight gain?

Weight gain was not reported as a side effect in studies of people taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. But weight gain can be a symptom of heart problems, such as Congestive heart failure is a condition.. This is a serious side effect of Inderal LA and Inderal XL.

With Congestive heart failure is a condition., you may have increased fluid in your body. This can cause weight gain.

If you notice a sudden weight gain, talk to your doctor. They will try to find a solution to the problem.

Is hair loss a side effect of Inderal LA or Inderal XL?

Hair loss was a side effect reported in studies of people taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. But some people taking these drugs reported hair loss after the medications were approved by the FDA. It’s not clear whether this was a common or rare side effect.

If you are concerned about hair loss, talk to your doctor.

Are Inderal LA’s side effects the same whether it’s used for migraine or other conditions?

Inderal LA is approved to treat all conditions, and side effects reported by people taking it were the same.

But keep in mind that Inderal LA can be used to lower blood pressure in people with high blood pressure. If you don’t have high blood pressure and take Inderal LA to prevent migraine episodes, you may have an increased risk of low blood pressure from this drug.

Low blood pressure can have symptoms.

If you experience any of these symptoms, please let your doctor know. They will determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Inderal LA.

There are some side effects that may be caused by Inderal LA and Inderal XL.

Severe skin reactions, such as Stevens-Johnson Syndrome

Severe skin reactions, including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, have happened in people taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. Stevens-Johnson syndrome is a rare, life threatening skin condition that begins with a rash and can progress to severe blistering. Early symptoms can be mild and resemble flu symptoms. They can include:

Symptoms may become more severe after a few days. They can include:

  • A rash is spreading.
  • The skin is very painful.
  • There is pain in your eyes.
  • swallowing problems
  • blistering on your skin, mouth, nose, eyes, or genitals
  • Your skin is being shed.

What might help

If you have symptoms of Stevens-Johnson syndrome, you should seek emergency medical attention. You will need to go to a hospital to get help for this condition.

If your doctor determines you have Stevens-Johnson syndrome, they’ll likely have you stop taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. They’ll provide any wound care you need and check your skin for signs of infection. If necessary, they may prescribe antibiotics for skin infection. They may also prescribe medication to relieve your pain.

Cold hands or feet

Some people taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL have reported cold hands or feet. This side effect was reported after these drugs were approved by the FDA. It’s not clear whether this was reported during studies of Inderal LA and Inderal XL as well.

Cold hands and feet or fingers and toes can happen because of decreased blood flow to these areas. In rare cases, Inderal LA and Inderal XL can cause numbness in the hands and feet.

What might help

“Mild symptoms can be alleviated by massaging your hands or feet. Don’t wear jewelry on your wrists or ankles. They can make your condition worse.”

If you have a severe symptom, you should talk to your doctor. They will determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL.

Dizziness

Beta-blockers, including Inderal LA and Inderal XL, can cause dizziness. This was a common side effect reported in studies of Inderal LA and Inderal XL.

Dizziness caused by beta-blockers can be a symptom of orthostatic hypotension. This is a sudden drop in blood pressure as you sit up or stand up. Orthostatic hypotension is more common when you first start taking medication to lower blood pressure. It usually goes away on its own as your body gets used to the drug.

Symptoms of orthostatic hypotension can include:

What might help

If you feel unwell, take a break. When you sit or lie down, dizziness caused by Inderal LA or Inderal XL usually goes away. If you are lying down due to dizziness, keep your head elevated.

You should not ride a bicycle or drive until you feel better. Alcohol can make you dizzy.

Stand up slowly and sit down to prevent dizziness. Sit up slowly when you rise from your bed. Wait a few minutes, then hold on to something that is strong. If you have recurring dizziness, talk to your doctor. They will determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL.

Slowed heart rate

Slowed heart rate is a common side effect reported in studies of Inderal LA and Inderal XL. Symptoms of this side effect can include:

Slowing the heart rate can lead to serious heart problems.

What might help

If you have slowed heart rate, talk to your doctor. They will monitor your heart rate while you are taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. If your heart rate is too slow, they may recommend a different treatment.

Tell your doctor all the drugs you take. Some of the medications can slow your heart rate. Taking them with Inderal LA or Inderal XL may increase your risk of serious problems. Inderal LA or Inderal XL will be decided by your doctor. They may discuss other treatment options with you.

Allergic reaction

Inderal LA and Inderal XL can cause an allergic reaction in some people. It is not clear if this side effect occurred in studies.

Mild to serious symptoms can be present.

  • There is a skin rash.
  • It is itchy.
  • flushing (temporary warmth, redness, or deepening of skin color)
  • “It’s usually under your skin, but it can be anywhere.”
  • It can be hard to breathe if you have swelling of your mouth, tongue, or throat.

What might help

If you have a mild rash, call your doctor. They may suggest a treatment to help you. Examples include:

  • an antihistamine you take by mouth, such as Benadryl (diphenhydramine)
  • You apply a product to your skin.

If your doctor confirms you have had a mild allergic reaction to Inderal LA or Inderal XL, they will decide if you should continue taking it.

If you have a severe allergic reaction, you should call the emergency number. These symptoms could be life threatening and need immediate medical care.

If your doctor confirms you have had a serious allergic reaction to Inderal LA or Inderal XL, they may want you to switch to a different treatment.

Keeping track of side effects

Take notes on any side effects you are having during your treatment. You can share this information with your doctor. This is helpful when you are starting to use a combination of treatments.

Side effect notes can include factors.

  • When you had the side effect, what dose of the drug was taking?
  • How soon did you experience the side effect?
  • What are your symptoms?
  • How did it affect your daily activities?
  • What other drugs were you taking?
  • Other information is important to you.

Sharing notes with your doctor will help them learn more about how Inderal LA or Inderal XL affects you. If needed, they can use this information to adjust your treatment plan.

If you have certain medical conditions, Inderal LA or Inderal XL may not be right for you. This is a drug-condition interaction. Inderal LA or Inderal XL is a good treatment option for you.

Before you start either of these drugs, talk to your doctor about your health history. Some factors to consider.

Angina. Chest pain called angina can worsen if you suddenly stop taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. In rare cases, this has led to heart attack. Due to this risk, your doctor will gradually decrease your dose if they determine you need to stop taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL. You should not stop taking either of these medications without first talking with your doctor if you have angina.

Allergic reaction. If you’ve had an allergic reaction to Inderal LA or Inderal XL or any of their ingredients, your doctor will likely not prescribe either of these drugs for you. Ask them about other medications that might be better options.

Diabetes. It’s possible that Inderal LA and Inderal XL may cause hypoglycemia (very low blood sugar). These drugs can also prevent certain symptoms of hypoglycemia, such as fast heartbeat, sweating, and shaking. This makes it difficult to know if you have hypoglycemia. Use Inderal LA or Inderal XL cautiously if you have diabetes, especially if you take insulin or other medications that lower your blood sugar. (Cautious use includes frequent blood sugar testing, consistent eating, and monitoring your symptoms.) Tell the doctor prescribing this drug for you about all your medical conditions, including diabetes.

Heart failure. Depending on which kind of heart failure you have, your doctor may not prescribe Inderal LA or Inderal XL for you. Talk with them about your best treatment options.

Liver problems. Inderal LA and Inderal XL are processed by your liver. If you have liver problems, your liver may not be able to get rid of these drugs as well as it should. This means that Inderal LA or Inderal XL can build up in your body and increase your risk of side effects. Discuss your health history with your doctor. They’ll let you know whether either of these drugs is safe for you to take.

Kidney problems. If you have kidney problems, your body may not be able to clear Inderal LA or Inderal XL as well as it should. This can cause the drug to build up in your body, which may increase your risk of side effects. Let your doctor know if you have kidney problems. They’ll determine whether either of these drugs are right for you.

Slowed heart rate. If you have certain abnormal heart rhythms, Inderal XL can cause a slowed heart rate, leading to heart block and cardiac arrest. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Inderal LA or Inderal XL.

Thyroid problems. Inderal LA or Inderal XL may mask certain signs and symptoms of hyperthyroidism. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Inderal LA or Inderal XL.

Sudden and severe drop in blood pressure. Inderal LA and Inderal XL are used to lower blood pressure and can cause a sudden drop in your blood pressure as you sit or stand up. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take either of these drugs.

Asthma. If you have asthma or other lung problems, such as bronchitis or emphysema, your doctor may not prescribe Inderal LA or Inderal XL for you. They’ll discuss other treatment options with you that might be better.

Upcoming surgery. Tell your doctor if you are scheduled for surgery and will be given anesthetic drugs. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Inderal LA or Inderal XL if you plan to have surgery.

Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome. The use of Inderal LA or Inderal XL in patients with Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome and an increased heart rate can lead to severely slow heart rate. This condition requires treatment with a pacemaker. Your doctor can determine whether it’s safe for you to take Inderal LA or Inderal XL.

Other precautions

Before you take Inderal LA or Inderal XL, you should have a discussion with your doctor about your health history. If you have a medical condition that affects your health, this drug may not be the right one for you.

Alcohol and Inderal LA and Inderal XL

Alcohol can affect the levels of Inderal LA or Inderal XL in your body. It is known that taking either of these drugs can increase your risk of side effects. The interaction can prevent Inderal LA or Inderal XL from working as they should.

If you want to know if alcohol is safe for you to consume while taking these medications, talk to your doctor.

Pregnancy and breastfeeding while taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL

There are currently no studies of people taking Inderal LA or Inderal XL during pregnancy. Because of this, it’s unclear whether it’s safe to take either of these drugs if you’re pregnant.

But some people who took propranolol* during pregnancy have reported problems, such as problems with fetal development (commonly known as birth defects).

Also, children whose parents took propranolol* during or just before delivery had hypoglycemia (low blood sugar level), slow heart rate, or breathing problems.

Inderal LA and Inderal XL are used for food. It is not known if breastfeeding is safe while taking drugs.

If you are pregnant or considering breastfeeding, you should talk to your doctor. They will help you decide on the best treatment.

Inderal LA and Inderal XL contain propranolol. An active ingredient is what makes a drug work.

Inderal LA or Inderal XL may have some side effects. Mild side effects will go away after you get used to the medication. Some side effects can be serious and need medical attention. Talk with your doctor before starting. They can discuss side effects with you.

Here are a few questions to ask your doctor.

  • Does my risk of fatigue (low energy) depend on the dosage I take?
  • Does avoiding sun exposure decrease my risk of developing Stevens-Johnson syndrome?
  • Is cough a side effect of Inderal LA or Inderal XL?
  • How do the side effects of Inderal LA and Inderal XL compare with those of other beta-blockers?

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Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.