Propranolol

Last Update: 03 Aug 2026

Table of content

1. What is it? 2. What are the risks according to research? 3. Breastfeeding/ chestfeeding 4. What about fathers and sperm donors? 5. Key points

Welcome to our fact sheet on propranolol during pregnancy and lactation. This information is based on available published literature. It should not take the place of medical care and advice from your healthcare provider.

The HEALTHY PREGNANCY HUB team is collaborating with MotherToBaby to share information on this topic. The original version is available here (January 2026).

Serene, our chatbot, can also answer your questions about medications during pregnancy.

Please note that this fact sheet is based on the one from MotherToBaby with United States information and has been reviewed by our Canadian experts. Minor differences may exist between the two countries. Always consult your healthcare professional for information tailored to your situation.

1. What is propranolol?

Propranolol is a medication that has been used to treat high blood pressure, some heart conditions, overactive thyroid, tremors, glaucoma, and prevent migraines. It belongs to the class of medications called beta-blockers. In North America, some brand names for propranolol include Inderal^®, InnoPran XL^®, Detensol^®,and Deralin^®.

Sometimes when people find out they are pregnant, they think about changing how they take their medication or stopping their medication altogether. However, it is important to talk with your healthcare providers before making any changes to how you take this medication. Your healthcare providers can talk with you about the benefits of treating your condition and the risks of untreated illness during pregnancy.

2. What does research say about the safety during pregnancy?

I take propranolol. Can it make it harder for me to get pregnant?

It is not known if propranolol can make it harder to get pregnant.

Does taking propranolol increase the chance of miscarriage?

Miscarriage is common and can occur in any pregnancy for many different reasons. Studies have not been done to see if propranolol can increase the chance of miscarriage.

Does taking propranolol increase the chance of birth defects?

Birth defects can happen in any pregnancy for different reasons. Out of all babies born each year, about 3 out of 100 (3%) will have a birth defect. We look at research studies to try to understand if an exposure, like propranolol, might increase the chance of birth defects in a pregnancy. It is not known if propranolol can increase the chance of birth defects. Studies on the use of beta-blockers in general during pregnancy have not reported an increased chance of major birth defects.

Does taking propranolol in pregnancy increase the chance of other pregnancy-related problems?

Propranolol has been linked to low birth weight (weighing less than 5 pounds, 8 ounces [2500 grams]) at birth. However, it is not clear if this happens because of the medication, the condition being treated, or other factors.

The use of propranolol in late pregnancy might increase the chance of the baby having symptoms of beta-blockade. These symptoms can appear shortly after birth and include a slowed heart rate, low blood pressure, and low blood sugar near delivery. Not all babies exposed to propranolol will have these symptoms. It is important for your healthcare providers to know if you are taking propranolol so that your baby can get the care that is best for them.

Does taking propranolol in pregnancy affect future behavior or learning for the child?

Studies have not been done to see if propranolol can increase the chance of behavioural or learning issues for the child.

What screenings or tests are available to see if my pregnancy has birth defects or other issues?

Ultrasound can be used to monitor watch the growth of pregnancy. Talk with your healthcare provider about any prenatal screenings or testing that are available to you.

3. Lactating while taking propranolol:

Propranolol passes into human milk in small amounts and is not expected to cause problems in full-term nursed infants. If you suspect that the baby has symptoms such as being too sleepy or having trouble with feeding, contact the child’s healthcare provider. Be sure to talk to your healthcare provider about all your breast/chest feeding questions.

4. What about fathers and sperm donors?

If a male takes propranolol, could it affect his fertility or increase the chance of birth defects?

Propranolol may cause some males to develop erectile dysfunction (ED), which could make it harder to conceive a pregnancy. In general, exposures that fathers and sperm donors have are unlikely to increase risks to a pregnancy. For more information, please see the MotherToBaby fact sheet Paternal Exposures here.

Key points

Propranolol is a medication from the beta-blocker family used to treat high blood pressure, certain heart conditions, prevent migraines, and other health conditions.
It is not known whether propranolol affects fertility, increases the risk of miscarriage, or has effects on a child’s brain development later in life.
It is not known whether propranolol increases the risk of birth defects, but studies on beta-blockers as a group have not shown an increased risk of birth defects.
When taken near the end of pregnancy, propranolol may cause temporary effects in the newborn.
Propranolol passes into human milk in small amounts, but it generally does not cause problems for nursed infants.
Always talk with a healthcare professional before changing or stopping any medication.

References

Please click here for references.

Disclaimer

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