Self Improvement

Medicine For Babies: What Is Hemangeol?

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There is no such thing as the perfect parent. But when it comes to medicine for infants and children, it’s important to research usage, dosing, and potential side effects.

This article is about Hemangeol, also known as propranolol hydrochloride. Here you will learn about this prescription medication, why it’s used, how it works, and common side effects. If you have specific questions, contact your child’s doctor or another health professional that knows about medicine for babies.

What Is Hemangeol?

Hemangeol is a beta-blocker. Beta-blockers are a class of medicine that affect the heart and circulation of blood through veins and arteries. It is usually given as an oral solution for children, meaning the liquid is ingested through the mouth. 

Hemnageol is the first FDA-approved treatment for infantile hemangioma. Sometimes infantile hemangioma goes away on its own within the baby’s first year of life.

Why Is Hemangeol Used?

Hemangeol is a pediatric medication used to treat proliferating infantile hemangioma. Infantile hemangioma is a genetic condition.  Infantile hemangiomas contain blood vessels that multiply at a higher rate than they should.

This condition usually affects infants within the first few weeks or months of their life. Early signs are visible within the first two weeks. A baby with infantile hemangioma may have discolored skin patches. The “proliferation” phase is when the blood vessels are proliferating or growing quickly.

Treatment for infantile hemangioma with Hemangeol starts between ages 5 weeks and 5 months. If you notice skin discoloration, talk to your child’s doctor.

Dosage

Medication for babies needs to be measured precisely. The recommended dose of Hemangeol for the first week of treatment is 0.15 mL/kg (0.6 mg/kg), twice a day, at least 9 hours apart. After the first week, the dose increases to 0.3 mL/kg (1.1 mg/kg) twice a day.

After the second week, the dose increases to 0.4 mL/kg (1.7 mg/kg) twice a day. The dose stays the same for about 6 months after that. The exact dosing for Hemangeol should be discussed with a medical professional. Dosing may change as the infant gains weight.

For complete dosing information, here is a chart.

Side Effects

Like other medicine for children, Hemangeol may cause side effects. The most common side effects and nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. Other side effects of Hemangeol may include:

  • Dizziness
  • Fatigue
  • Hypoglycemia (low blood sugar)
  • Weight gain 
  • Swelling
  • Chest pain
  • Irregular heartbeats
  • Difficulty breathing
  • Blisters on skin

If your infant develops any of these side effects while on Hemangeol, talk to a doctor. 

Hemangeol – Medicine for Babies with Infantile Hemangioma

Hemangeol is an FDA-approved beta-blocker to treat infantile hemangioma. Infantile hemangioma is a genetic condition in which the blood vessels multiply more than they should.

Infants may develop this condition s early as a few weeks old but it can be treated or may go away on its own. Before administering any medicines for babies, talk to a doctor.

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