Accidentally Took Two Propranolol Extended-Release Capsules
In our latest question and answer, the pharmacist discusses what to do if you accidentally took two doses of propranolol ER.
I accidentally took 2 doses 60 mg of propranolol XR yesterday (last dose 2:00 pm). Should I take my regular dose of 60 mg today or wait until tomorrow morning?
Dec 11, 2022- Taking an extra propranolol extended-release capsule is unlikely to cause serious harm, though you may experience mild side effects like drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and a slower heart rate for a few hours.
- Move slowly throughout the day and avoid standing up too quickly to reduce your risk of dizziness and falling from a sudden drop in blood pressure.
- Take your next dose as scheduled the next day without skipping it, since your body will have metabolized most of the extra dose by then.
Answer
Thanks for reaching out to us! It's always a good idea to ask a medical professional what to do in situations like these, as the answer can vary depending on the drug.
As it concerns propranolol, first and foremost, it is important to know that taking an extra dose is unlikely to cause any serious harm. You'll likely experience some mild side effects, like drowsiness, dizziness, low blood pressure, and a reduced heart rate for a few hours, but I wouldn't expect anything major.
I do think it's important to point out that you should take it easy for the day, and try not to move around too quickly, especially when going from a seated/lying down position to a standing one.
Taking too much propranolol would put you at a greater risk of orthostatic hypotension, which is a drop in blood pressure when you stand up too quickly (it's the moment of lightheadedness and dizziness that we've all experienced).
Orthostatic hypotension can cause you to be unbalanced and potentially fall, so again, take it easy.
If you are feeling any more serious side effects from your extra dose, I highly recommend seeking medical attention, or, at the very least, contacting the Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222; Poison.org).
What To Do For Your Next Dose
You don't mention how you are taking your propranolol extended-release, but it is most commonly dosed once daily.
For most individuals, you'll want to take your next dose as scheduled the next day and do not skip it, even though you took an extra dose the day before.
Taking a higher dose at one time doesn't mean it will last longer in your system. For the vast majority of drugs, they are metabolized over the same period of time regardless of the dose you took. For example, your body will metabolize 325mg of Tylenol in the same amount of time it would take to metabolize 650mg of Tylenol.
The half-life of propranolol is around 3 to 6 hours, and this is the time in which it takes your body to metabolize half of the drug, regardless of the dose. After 4-5 half-lives, the drug would be considered almost completely metabolized and eliminated from your system.
By the time your next dose of propranolol is due, most of the drug will already be out of your system.
Final Words
Thanks so much for reaching out! We're always happy to help.
Glossary — Terms in This Answer
- Propranolol
- A medication that slows heart rate and lowers blood pressure, commonly used to treat high blood pressure and heart conditions.
- Orthostatic hypotension
- A sudden drop in blood pressure that occurs when you stand up quickly, causing dizziness or lightheadedness.
- Extended-release
- A type of medication designed to release the drug slowly into your body over a longer period of time.
- Metabolized
- The process by which your body breaks down a drug into substances it can eliminate.
- Half-life
- The amount of time it takes for your body to break down and eliminate half of a drug dose.
- Side effects
- Unwanted physical reactions your body may have to taking a medication.
- Poison Control Center
- A medical resource you can contact by phone for emergency advice about accidental overdoses or poisoning.
Dr. Brian Staiger, PharmD
Doctor of Pharmacy, board certified clinical pharmacist (BCPS), American Herbalist Guild, Medication Therapy Management certified
Brian Staiger, PharmD, BCPS, is a licensed pharmacist with more than 13 years of experience across retail pharmacy, clinical pharmacy, medication safety, pharmacy program development, and healthcare administration. He is the founder of HelloPharmacist.com, where he helps patients...
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