Propranolol - tiredness

[Shelly15]

I’ve been on 40mg propranolol for about 3 weeks now for high blood pressure caused by my anxiety. They leave me feeling constantly tired is this normal? And sometimes when I’m having a panic attack they make me feel like I can’t breath. Does anyone else have these experiences?

[panic_down_under]

They leave me feeling constantly tired is this normal?

Tiredness is the most common propranolol side-effect. It works by blocking adrenaline receptors to prevent the flight-or-flight adrenaline surge during anxiety/panic attacks. Unfortunately, it also dampens adrenaline availability for day to day activity hence the tiredness. It often lessens as the body adapts, but may not completely resolve.


And sometimes when I’m having a panic attack they make me feel like I can’t breath.

This is a less common side-effect which may be exacerbating the breathlessness that often occurs during panic attacks.

Are the attacks less severe and/or less frequent since you began taking propranolol?