Re: Want To Reduce Propranolol But Worried About Heart?
Originally Posted by
mischamoonlight
So, I've been on 10mg of Propranolol for the past two years
I take for my severe anxiety, as its not for heart or blood pressure.
Do you still have severe anxiety? If so, how are you planning to control it after you stop taking propranolol?
Beside that, I am worried about side effects with the Beta Blocker, obviously would not stop without talking to my doctor but worried about being on this medication for, well, permanently?
You should definitely get your GP's okay before changing the dose and also discuss how the anxiety can be managed without propranolol. If the plan is to switch to another med then the better option may be to stay on the current dose until the new med becomes effective.
What would it do to my heart? Long term? Does 10mg have a large effect when reduced to 5mg or stopped? I guess I worry because I don't have heart or blood pressure issues (that I know of right now), and is purely taken once per day for my anxiety, will it cause lasting issues?
Possibly. In the past beta-blockers where often prescribed for decades to reduce blood pressure, but they are no longer considered first line treatments for this in part because of their long-term side-effects. They are also not first-line treatments for anxiety, but can be useful in the short-term. Beta-blockers reduce the ability of adrenaline, aka epinephrine, to bind with adrenaline receptors which blocks the adrenaline surge of the flight-or-fight response, however, they have no direct effect on anxiety generation in the brain in the way antidepressants and therapy do. They are better long-term treatments.
What effect would it have on pregnancy?
There is limited and sometimes contradictory data. The UK Teratology Information Service's webpage on the use of propranolol in pregnancy explores the issues in some depth. However, one cautionary note, maternal anxiety (also depression) may also carry risks for the baby which aren't covered by the information on that site.
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The opinions expressed above are based on my observations and, where applicable, interpretation of cited data and are general in nature. Consult your physician before acting on anything stated.