Baby treatment with propanolol
In the meantime, the drug therapy of hemangiomas with beta blockers has also become established. The beta-blocker propranolol is the most commonly used. This type of active ingredient is originally heart medication to relieve the heart and counteract possible cardiac insufficiencies.
They are mainly used for deep hemangiomas of the skin, which would leave larger scars if treated with a standard laser procedure. Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker. Since 2014, Propranolol has been officially approved for the treatment of hemangiomas in babies and infants.
The drug can be taken by mouth or applied as an ointment. Propranolol is used especially for hemangiomas in critical areas such as the eyes or mucous membranes. The treatment usually takes about half a year.
In consideration of the actual effect, propranolol is only given in small doses and an ECG and an ultrasound of the heart is performed before the therapy in order to be able to assess possible complications. The duration of the therapy usually lasts about six months and shows very few side effects, especially in comparison to a drug therapy with corticosteroids. In most cases, it is administered by dissolving the powder in water. In addition, gels containing the active ingredient and applied directly to the affected area have also become established.
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