Certain health conditions have been around for a long time. Irregular heartbeat or blood pressure are just a few of them. Medication can help you deal with these conditions in old age, but when it comes to pregnancy, it is important to be careful. One such drug is propranolol. This article explains whether it is safe or unsafe to take drugs like propranolol during pregnancy.
Table of Contents
What is Propranolol?
As mentioned earlier, propranolol is a type of drug that is used to treat certain general health-related developments.
- Several health problems can be treated with the drug propranolol. The list would include common problems like tremors, anxiety, angina, and accelerated blood pressure to name a few.
- Propranolol may help combat these minor but common health problems as it is a beta blocker.
- There are several forms this medication can be taken in, such as tablets, syrups, or capsules.
- It can also be used to treat severe migraines. The question arises as to whether taking beta blockers during pregnancy can produce controlled reactions or could prove dangerous.
- If we go ahead and better understand the benefits of propranolol and its consequences, we will understand the level of medications that can be safely taken during pregnancy, along with the precautions that must be observed.
Is It Safe For Pregnant Women?
Propranolol is believed to be classified as a “Pregnancy Category C” by the US Food and Drug Administration. Research is being conducted into whether this drug can have dangerous effects on the delicate fetus. Also, there is a lack of very well-curated studies on how these effects occur and how they could be cured in pregnant women. This scarcity makes it even more worrying when the drug is administered to a pregnant woman and the effects are unexpected or get out of control.
Some serious illnesses, such as unforeseen cardiac arrest or high blood pressure, are common during pregnancy. However, if you only take medication at your whim to control the previous situations, they may have an adverse reaction that is not good for the fetus. Since it is now known that no helpful studies are available to understand or recognize the side effects this drug may have on a pregnant woman, if any situation arises where it must be taken, the benefit of it may be Risks that propranolol holds outweigh.
Side effects of propranolol on pregnant women
In the absence of studies, it is apparent that certain side effects can be experienced when taking propranolol in pregnant women. Let’s better understand these side effects:
- Many side effects can occur in pregnant women when taking propranolol, such as: B. drowsiness, sudden drop in blood pressure, slow heart rate, or blurred vision.
- There may be unexplained cases of extreme tiredness or weakness. Lack of energy is a common side effect of this drug during pregnancy.
- Sleep patterns can be influenced. It can turn out to be irregular and unhealthy for a pregnant woman.
- Heartbeat irregularities can also be a common side effect of propranolol.
- Raynaud’s syndrome is another side effect of this drug.
- You may sweat and shiver.
Can Propranolol Cause Miscarriages, Stillbirths, or Birth Defects?
Miscarriages, stillbirths, and birth defects – are some of the most common concerns any pregnant woman could have when the wrong medications are taken. Pay attention to the prescribed dosage.
There are few studies on how dangerous propranolol can be for pregnant women. However, the few studies available do not suggest that miscarriage is one of the harmful side effects of this drug. However, more study may be needed to determine this.
Certain studies, particularly those from the Danish Fertility Database or the Danish Hospital Registry, find that a condition such as perinatal mortality has been observed in a group of women exposed to the drug. This suggests that based on the statistics and analysis available, there is a fairly high chance of stillbirth.
There are a number of observations and conclusions about birth mortality. Women who were exposed to propranolol for long periods of time developed some conditions such as intrauterine growth retardation, a smaller placenta, unforeseen fetal depression at the time of delivery, or conditions such as bradycardia and postnatal hypoglycemia.
It is therefore always recommended to consult your doctor before using this medication, especially during pregnancy.
How Much Propranolol Is Usually Recommended By Your Doctor During Pregnancy?
The US FDA already gives certain recommendations on the dosage of this drug. However, the dosage also depends on your condition and medical history. Make sure to consult your doctor before taking this medication.
Can it be taken occasionally?
It is mostly recommended not to take propranolol occasionally during pregnancy without medical advice. The reason for this is that the process of withdrawing this drug from your body takes 10-14 days. There may be unforeseen symptoms that develop as a result. Therefore, it is best to consult your doctor even with occasional consumption.
What to do if you already consumed propranolol during pregnancy
Should a situation arise in which you have already used propranolol for any uncontrollable reason, the first and most important step is to inform your doctor. Your doctor, who is fully aware of your pregnancy, needs to be informed and must know the dosage that is being taken. Then a decision can be made as to whether you need further dosages. It is also best to take the lowest dose that works and is safe for the fetus at the same time.
Therefore, after a thorough understanding of what propranolol can do if not carefully monitored while taking it during pregnancy, it is best to always pay attention and consult your doctor. This ensures that both you and the baby are safe and healthy.
Also read:
Medication during pregnancy
What medications should you avoid during pregnancy?
Are Allergy Medications Safe During Pregnancy?
