Propranolol Therapy for a Hemangioma

 

Patient selection: Therapy is usually considered for large or disfiguring hemangiomas.

 

Drug: propranolol hydrochloride

 

Dose: 2 mg per kg per day (up to 3 mg per kg per day) po

 

Duration of therapy: 24 weeks or more

 

Monitoring:

(1) episodes of hypotension, bradycardia or hypoglycemia are uncommon

(2) some patients may have agitated sleep (Bagazgoitia et al)

 

Expected outcomes:

(1) a moderate decrease in volume of the hemangioma

(2) some decrease in redness and elevation