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Propranolol

Prescription

Non-Selective Beta-Adrenergic Blocker

Last reviewed 21 Apr 2026 · PetCare.AI Editorial Team

Species

Dog, Cat

Brands

1 available

Interactions

17 documented

Formulations

Mechanism of action

Non-selective beta-1 and beta-2 antagonist that reduces heart rate, contractility, AV conduction velocity, and renin secretion (beta-1) while causing bronchial smooth muscle constriction and blocking tremor suppression (beta-2). Highly lipophilic — crosses BBB.

At a glance

Class

Non-Selective Beta-Adrenergic Blocker

Schedule

Prescription

Storage

Store at room temperature, protect from light and moisture

Dosing

🐕

Dog

Used for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (rare in

Dose

0.2–1 mg/kg

Route

PO, IV

Frequency

q8h (PO); as needed (IV)

🐈

Cat

Used for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — reduces heart rate, dynamic

Dose

2.5–5 mg/cat

Route

PO, IV

Frequency

q8–12h (PO)

Educational reference only

This information is provided for educational purposes and is not a substitute for professional veterinary advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always consult a qualified veterinarian before administering any medication to your pet. Find a vet near you →

Formulations

💊

Other — 4

Strength

—

Strength

—

Strength

—

Strength

—

Storage

Store at room temperature, protect from light and moisture

Safety

Monitoring parameters

Heart rateBlood pressureECGRespiratory effort (bronchospasm)Blood glucose (diabetic patients)

Educational reference only

Interactions

Contraindicated — 2

Verapamil

contraindicated

IV verapamil + IV beta-blocker: synergistic negative inotropy, chronotropy, and dromotropy causing severe bradycardia, AV block, hypotension, or asystole.

Management: NEVER give IV verapamil and IV beta-blocker together. Oral combination used very cautiously only under cardiologist supervision.

Isoproterenol

contraindicated

Non-selective beta-blocker completely antagonizes isoproterenol's beta-1 and beta-2 effects, rendering it therapeutically useless.

Management: NEVER combine. If patient on propranolol develops complete heart block requiring isoproterenol, propranolol must be discontinued first or glucagon used as bridge.

Major — 9

Diltiazem

major

Additive negative chronotropy and dromotropy: risk of severe bradycardia, AV block, and cardiac arrest.

Management: Use with extreme caution under cardiologist supervision. Do not give both IV. Monitor ECG continuously if combined.

Amiodarone

major

Amiodarone + beta-blocker: additive bradycardia and AV block. Amiodarone also inhibits beta-blocker metabolism.

Management: If combined, use lowest beta-blocker dose and monitor ECG closely.

Pimobendan

major

Pimobendan's positive inotropic effect is partially mediated by calcium sensitization. Beta-blockers (negative inotropes) directly oppose this, potentially precipitating heart failure decompensation.

Management: Generally avoid combining positive inotrope with beta-blocker in decompensated CHF. If used for arrhythmia control, start beta-blocker at very low dose with careful titration.

Clonidine

major

Clonidine withdrawal while on beta-blocker causes severe rebound hypertension (beta-blocker blocks compensatory vasodilation). Also, additive bradycardia during concurrent use.

Management: Never abruptly discontinue clonidine while on beta-blocker. If stopping clonidine, taper beta-blocker first, then taper clonidine slowly.

Adrenaline (Epinephrine)

major

Non-selective beta-blockade leaves epinephrine's alpha-1 vasoconstriction unopposed while blocking beta-2 vasodilation, causing severe hypertension and reflex bradycardia.

Management: Use with extreme caution. In anaphylaxis requiring epinephrine while on propranolol: higher epinephrine doses may be needed; consider glucagon as adjunct.

Dopamine

major

Beta-blockers antagonize dopamine's beta-1 cardiac stimulatory effects (inotropy, chronotropy), leaving only alpha-mediated vasoconstriction at higher doses.

Management: If vasopressor needed in patient on beta-blocker, consider norepinephrine or phenylephrine (pure alpha) instead of dopamine. Higher dopamine doses may worsen hypertension without improving cardiac output.

Terbutaline

major

Non-selective beta-blocker completely antagonizes terbutaline's beta-2 bronchodilatory effect, rendering it ineffective and potentially causing bronchospasm.

Management: NEVER use non-selective beta-blocker in patients requiring bronchodilators. Use cardioselective beta-1 blocker (atenolol) if beta-blocker needed.

Ephedrine

major

Non-selective beta-blocker blocks ephedrine's beta-mediated effects leaving alpha vasoconstriction unopposed, causing severe hypertension and reflex bradycardia.

Management: Avoid. If both pressor and beta-blocker needed, use phenylephrine (pure alpha) which has predictable response with beta-blockade.

Albuterol (Salbutamol)

major

Non-selective beta-blocker completely blocks albuterol's beta-2 bronchodilatory effect, causing bronchospasm. Also blocks beta-2 mediated hypokalemia correction.

Management: NEVER use non-selective beta-blocker in patients requiring bronchodilators. If beta-blocker needed, use cardioselective (atenolol) at lowest effective dose.

Moderate — 6

Amlodipine

moderate

DHP calcium channel blocker + non-selective beta-blocker: additive BP reduction. Less AV conduction risk than diltiazem+beta-blocker.

Management: Monitor BP and heart rate. Usually well-tolerated.

Bupivacaine

moderate

Propranolol reduces hepatic blood flow (beta-blocker) and inhibits CYP enzymes, reducing bupivacaine clearance and increasing systemic toxicity risk.

Management: Use caution with bupivacaine doses in patients on beta-blockers. Reduce max dose. Ropivacaine may be safer alternative (less cardiotoxic).

Insulin, Glargine

moderate

Non-selective beta-blockers mask hypoglycemia signs (tremor, tachycardia) and prolong hypoglycemic episodes by blocking hepatic glycogenolysis (beta-2 effect).

Management: Monitor glucose more frequently. Educate owners about atypical hypoglycemia signs (lethargy, weakness rather than tremors). Cardioselective beta-blocker (atenolol) preferred in diabetics.

Hydralazine

moderate

Beta-blocker attenuates hydralazine-induced reflex tachycardia. Additive blood pressure reduction.

Management: Intentional combination to control reflex tachycardia. Monitor blood pressure and heart rate closely during titration.

Lidocaine

moderate

Propranolol reduces hepatic blood flow, decreasing lidocaine first-pass clearance and increasing systemic lidocaine levels. Also additive negative cardiac effects.

Management: Reduce lidocaine CRI rate by 25-40% in patients on propranolol. Monitor for lidocaine toxicity (tremors, seizures).

Phenylephrine

moderate

Phenylephrine (pure alpha-1 agonist) causes vasoconstriction and reflex bradycardia. Propranolol blocks compensatory tachycardia, potentially worsening bradycardia.

Management: Monitor heart rate and blood pressure. The combination predictably causes hypertension + bradycardia.

Educational reference only

Brands

Other markets

Inderal

FAQs

Frequently asked questions

›What is Propranolol?

Propranolol is a non-selective beta-adrenergic blocker used in pets. Non-selective beta-1 and beta-2 antagonist that reduces heart rate, contractility, AV conduction velocity, and renin secretion (beta-1) while causing bronchial smooth muscle constriction and blocking tremor suppression (beta-2). Highly lipophilic — crosses BBB.

›What is Propranolol used for in pets?

Propranolol is used in veterinary medicine for: Used for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (rare in; Used for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — reduces heart rate, dynamic .

›What is the Propranolol dose for dogs?

For dogs, Propranolol is typically dosed as follows — Used for supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (rare in: 0.2–1 mg/kg PO/IV q8h (PO); as needed (IV). Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›What is the Propranolol dose for cats?

For cats, Propranolol is typically dosed as follows — Used for feline hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM) — reduces heart rate, dynamic : 2.5–5 mg/cat PO/IV q8–12h (PO). Always consult your veterinarian for a dose tailored to your pet's weight, age, and condition.

›Does Propranolol need a prescription?

Yes. Propranolol is a prescription medication and should only be administered under veterinary supervision.

Educational reference only

References

The PetCare.AI drug reference is built from 13 authoritative sources cited across 580 drug monographs.

Textbooks & handbooks — 5

Plumb's Veterinary Drug Handbook
Withrow & MacEwen's Small Animal Clinical Oncology
Merck Veterinary Manual
NRC Nutrient Requirements of Dogs and Cats
Veterinary Pharmacology and Therapeutics (Riviere & Papich)

Clinical guidelines & consensus — 4

ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center Guidelines
AAHA Diabetes Management Guidelines
ASPCA Poison Control Guidelines
RECOVER CPR Guidelines

Journals & peer-reviewed studies — 2

EPIC Study (J Vet Intern Med 2016)
JVIM FAT CAT Study

Regulatory & approvals — 1

CDSCO Veterinary Drug Approval Registry (1969–2026)

Databases — 1

Washington State University VCPL MDR1 Database