Precipitation of hepatic encephalopathy by propranolol

Propranolol is used to prevent recurrent variceal bleeding in patients with periportal hypertension and cirrhosis. Though controversy still exist regarding its efficacy in these conditions, its potential to precipitate hepatic encephalopathy is rarely reported. In this case report, we describe a patient who developed severe hepatic encephalopathy shortly after porpanolol treatment and recurred on rechallenge with the drug