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The Effects & Side Effects of Ciplar

Ciplar is a brand name available in India for the drug propranolol, mainly used to treat various cardiovascular disorders. In the United States, propranolol is prescribed in generic form and as the brand Inderal. Manufactured by Cipla Pharmaceuticals Limited, Ciplar is a beta blocker, a type of medicine that blocks the effects of the hormone epinephrine (adrenaline). It relaxes blood vessels and slows the heart rate.

  1. Ciplar Uses

    • Doctors prescribe Ciplar to lower high blood pressure, which helps prevent strokes, heart attacks and kidney dysfunction. It also is used to treat angina and heart rhythm disorders, and can be administered after a heart attack to improve survival. In addition, Ciplar is effective at treating glaucoma, and reducing the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. Some people take it to relieve anxiety.

    Common Side Effects

    • Some side effects are common, but dissipate after the patient becomes accustomed to the medication, as noted by RxList.com. These include dizziness, drowsiness, fatigue, lightheadedness, unusual dreams, insomnia, vision problems, upset stomach and diarrhea or constipation. Ciplar can decrease blood flow to the extremities, resulting in the hands and feet feeling cold. Smoking worsens this effect.

    Serious Side Effects

    • More serious side effects associated with propranolol are rare, and require prompt medical attention. As listed by the U.S. National Institutes of Health and eMedTV, these include chest pain or worsening chest pain, irregular or very slow heartbeat, continuing dizziness, fainting, swelling of the hands or feet, unusual bleeding or bruising, sore throat, increased thirst and increased urination. In addition, some people experience an allergic reaction to Ciplar, with signs of rash, facial or mouth swelling and difficulty breathing.

    Considerations

    • According to eMedTV, patients taking Ciplar for angina or high blood pressure, and those with any type of heart disease, should not discontinue the medication suddenly because this can make the condition worse. A doctor can assist with gradually decreasing the dosage.

    Drug Interactions

    • In addition, eMedTV cautions that propranolol can interact with many other drugs. These include alcohol, alpha blockers, other beta blockers, calcium channel blockers, arrhythmia medications, clonidine, digoxin, monoamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), thyroid medications, tricyclic antidepressants and warfarin.

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