The MedlinePlus health topic on poisoning says that if you suspect someone has been poisoned, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222 right away. The National Institute of Mental Health says that in life-threatening situations, call 911. This guide reports what those pages, the prescribing information for propranolol hydrochloride tablets and published reviews say. It gives no amounts or methods.
Emergency numbers on general health pages
Both pages above are general pages written for the public, and neither passage used here mentions propranolol. The poisoning page also says any substance can be poisonous if too much is taken, and that poisons can include prescription or over-the-counter medicines taken in doses that are too high. The 911 sentence is about life-threatening situations in general, not about overdose.
What the label and a UK poison centre review report
In its Overdosage section, the prescribing information for propranolol hydrochloride tablets says hypotension and bradycardia have been reported following propranolol overdose and should be treated appropriately.
A 2025 observational review of UK poison centre enquiries covered intentional propranolol overdoses. It reported that the outcome was confirmed in 159 (44%) exposures; 110 patients recovered completely, 13 had ongoing features, one had permanent sequelae, and 35 died. It concluded that overdose patients were often prescribed propranolol for anxiety, and many developed systemic toxicity. The passage used here gives no number or percentage for "often" or "many". It also states that in overdose, propranolol poisoning can be serious, difficult to treat and potentially fatal.
As an observational review, it cannot show cause and effect, including between being prescribed propranolol for anxiety and an overdose. It looked at enquiries about intentional overdoses.
A Danish review on pack sizes
A review published in a Danish journal (abstract in English), whose title refers to propranolol for exam-related anxiety, states that only relatively large pack sizes are available in Denmark. It adds that this may spur an unnecessary, permanent overuse and increase the risk of overdosing and poisoning. This is a review abstract about Denmark, not about any US product. The passage used here gives no pack size and no data.
Serious allergic reactions: what a health topic page says
The MedlinePlus health topic on anaphylaxis, a serious allergic reaction, says that if someone is having a serious allergic reaction, call 911. It lists skin symptoms of itching, hives, redness and swelling, mouth symptoms of itching and swelling of the lips or tongue, and throat symptoms of itching, tightness, trouble swallowing and swelling of the back of the throat. The prescribing information for propranolol hydrochloride tablets says hypersensitivity reactions, including anaphylactic/anaphylactoid reactions, have been associated with the administration of propranolol. The anaphylaxis page is about serious allergic reactions in general, and neither passage mentions overdose.
If you or someone you know is struggling
The National Institute of Mental Health says, on its suicide prevention page, that if you or someone you know is struggling or having thoughts of suicide, you can call or text the 988 Suicide & Crisis Lifeline at 988. This statement is not about propranolol, and the passage used here does not mention any medicine.
What this does not tell you
This guide does not say how much propranolol is an overdose, because the sources used here state no amount. The UK review is observational and covers enquiries about intentional overdoses. Its outcome was confirmed in 159 (44%) exposures. Being observational, it cannot show cause and effect, and it does not describe everyone who takes propranolol. The Danish statement is about pack sizes in Denmark. The poison control, anaphylaxis, 911 and 988 statements come from general pages and are not about propranolol.
This is not emergency guidance. It repeats only what the cited sources say, and a licensed provider decides questions about an individual's treatment.