Quick answer
What is propranolol used for?
Propranolol is a beta-blocker medicine that blocks the effects of adrenaline, reducing palpitations, tremor and situational anxiety. It is also used to prevent migraines and to treat high blood pressure and angina. If you take propranolol for a heart condition, it should not be stopped suddenly and must instead be tapered off gradually with your GP's guidance.
How propranolol works
Propranolol works by blocking beta-adrenergic receptors, which are the sites in the body that respond to adrenaline. By blocking these receptors, it reduces heart rate and tremor, which is why it is used for conditions where these effects are helpful.
What propranolol is used for
Propranolol is used to treat high blood pressure, angina, and to prevent migraines, and it also helps control anxiety symptoms, tremor and thyrotoxicosis. It is also used off-label for performance anxiety, such as before a stressful event, even though this is not one of its licensed uses.
Side effects of propranolol
Common side effects of propranolol include fatigue, cold hands, and vivid dreams. Taking too much can lead to bradycardia (a slow heart rate) or hypotension (low blood pressure), so it is important to take the dose your GP has prescribed.
Cautions with propranolol
Propranolol needs to be used with caution in people with asthma, heart block, or diabetes, since it can worsen these conditions or mask important symptoms. Anyone who is pregnant should seek specialist advice before taking propranolol.
Common questions about propranolol
- What dose of propranolol is used for anxiety?
- For anxiety, propranolol is usually prescribed at a low dose, either taken regularly or shortly before a stressful event such as a performance or exam. Your GP will individualise the dose and timing based on how you respond to treatment.
- Is propranolol safe to take if I have asthma?
- Propranolol is generally avoided in people with asthma because it can trigger bronchospasm, a narrowing of the airways. A cardioselective beta-blocker may be used instead in some cases, as these are less likely to affect the lungs.
- What happens if I stop taking propranolol suddenly?
- Stopping propranolol suddenly can cause rebound tachycardia, a rapid increase in heart rate. Anyone taking it long-term, especially for ischaemic heart disease, should taper the dose gradually under medical guidance rather than stopping abruptly.
- How does propranolol help prevent migraines?
- Taken daily, propranolol can reduce how often migraines occur, although it takes several weeks to have its full effect. It is one option among migraine-prevention medicines and is sometimes used as an alternative to topiramate.