Uses
Propranolol (infantile hemangioma) oral solution is used to treat proliferating infantile hemangioma (benign [noncancerous] growths or tumors appearing on or under the skin shortly after birth) in infants 5 weeks to 5 months of age. Propranolol is in a class of medications called beta-blockers. It works by narrowing the blood vessels already formed and by preventing new ones from growing.
Side Effects Of Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma)
Propranolol (infantile hemangioma) may cause side effects. Tell your child’s doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:
- sleep problems
- vomiting
- diarrhea
- agitation
- cold hands or feet
Some side effects can be serious. If the child experiences any of the following symptoms, call the child’s doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- difficulty breathing or swallowing
- wheezing
- shortness of breath
- slow, irregular heartbeat
- sudden weakness of an arm or leg
If your child experiences any of these symptoms, stop giving propranolol (infantile hemangioma) and call the child’s doctor immediately or get emergency medical treatment:
- pale, blue, or purple skin color
- sweating
- irritability
- decreased appetite
- low body temperature
- unusual sleepiness
- breathing stops for short periods of time
- seizures
- loss of consciousness
Warnings & Precautions
Before you give propranolol (infantile hemangioma) oral solution:
- tell the doctor and pharmacist if your child is allergic to propranolol, any other medications, or any ingredients in propranolol oral solution. Ask your pharmacist or check the Medication Guide for a list of the ingredients.
- tell the doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products your child is taking or if you are a breastfeeding mother and are taking or plan to take any medications. Be sure to mention any of the following: corticosteroids such as dexamethasone, methylprednisolone (Medrol), or prednisone (Rayos); phenytoin (Dilantin, Phenytek); phenobarbital; or rifampin (Rifadin, Rimactane, in Rifamate, in Rifater). Many other medications may also interact with propranolol, so be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications your child is taking (or you are taking if breastfeeding), even those that do not appear on this list. A doctor may need to change the dose or monitor your child carefully for side effects.
- tell the doctor if your child was born prematurely and is younger than a corrected age of 5 weeks, weighs less than 4.5 lbs (2 kg), has low blood pressure or pulse rate, or is vomiting or not eating. Also, tell the doctor if your child has or has had asthma or other breathing problems, pheochromocytoma (a tumor on a small gland near the kidneys that causes high blood pressure), or heart failure. The doctor will probably tell you not to give propranolol oral solution.
Dosage Of Propranolol (Infantile Hemangioma)
Propranolol comes as an oral solution (liquid) to take by mouth. Propranolol oral solution is usually taken twice daily (9 hours apart) during or immediately after a meal. Give propranolol solution at around the same time(s) every day. Follow the directions on the prescription label carefully, and ask the doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Give propranolol exactly as directed. Do not give your child more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by the doctor.
Do not shake the oral solution container before use.
If your child is unable to eat or is vomiting the dose, skip the dose and continue the regular dosing schedule when they are eating again.
Follow the manufacturer’s directions to measure the dose using the oral syringe supplied with the medication. You can give the solution to your child straight from the oral syringe or you can mix it with a small amount of milk or fruit juice and give it in a baby’s bottle. Ask the pharmacist or doctor if you have any questions about how to use the oral syringe or give this medication.
Other
Keep all appointments with the doctor.
Do not let anyone else take your propranolol (infantile hemangioma). Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling the prescription.
It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription (over-the-counter) medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements. You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies.
Source
All information has been provided courtesy of MedLinePlus from the National Library of Medicine and from the FDA.
