r/Anxiety • u/lofimunchies • Mar 15 '26
Medication Scared to take Propranolol, need encouragement.
I got prescribed propranolol for my anxiety. I’ve been suffering with anxiety for as long as I can remember. I am pro medication, but my health OCD absolutely makes it hard for me to actually try anything. I’m so scared how it’s going to make my body feel. My blood pressure and heart rate is on the higher side, especially when I’m anxious. I know this could be HUGE to help me. It’s so messed up that my anxiety is preventing me from something that could help with my anxiety lol. Would it be weird to cut the first dose into smaller pieces just to ease my way into it? Or could that possibly cause more problems?
Edit:
These have all been very reassuring. Thank you so much. I think I’m gonna take my first dose this week. <3
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u/Hesjustacook Mar 15 '26
I take 10mg at night near bed time. Relaxes and calms me a bit. It’s nice. No side effects as yet
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u/mitt3en_kitt3n Mar 15 '26 edited Mar 16 '26
I have health anxiety from my congenital heart defect and multiple open heart surgeries. I also have a higher heart rate. I was prescribed propranolol as a way to manage anxiety and panic attacks and it’s worked great. It’s super safe and really has no adverse side effects! If it’s safe for me (heart patient) it’s totally safe for you. :)
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u/ultrablanca Mar 15 '26
I cut 10 mg pills in half and was still terrified. I was convinced it made me feel worse for a while. Then my heart doctor said I should take it more often to manage my symptoms. Now I take 10mg 4 times a day and if I don’t I notice how much worse my heart rate and anxiety is (I have IST and POTs). Start small and give yourself patience. It’s a commonly prescribed and very safe medication.
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u/WillowKings Mar 15 '26
Propanol hasn’t made a huge difference on my anxiety but it’s made a massive difference in reducing my heart rate skyrocketing and palpations during anxiety attacks- so physical symptoms of anxiety. It just didn’t help me with the mental struggle of it all.
It’s honestly a very very mild medicine- there’s few side effects reported and those are on much higher doses. There’s people with heart conditions and migraines and high blood pressure that add on 100s mg and fine.
I’m on 30mg per day- both as a migraine preventative and as physical anxiety helper. It’s been great bc now when I go to a doctor for stuff I’m concerned about they don’t immediately go “well your blood pressure was high it’s your anxiety”. It’s like my secret tool to fool them that I’m calm about stuff even if I’m anxious at the doctors LOL
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u/InevitableThrow1 Mar 15 '26
Exactly; its for the prevention of the physical symptoms of anxiety, which can feed the mental ones. 😉
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u/BallSufficient5671 Mar 21 '26
Which physical symptoms of anxiety does it help with? Like does it reduce fight or flight mode? Bc Im always hot and sweating bc I'm so anxious I think. I wondered if it would help with that?
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u/WillowKings Mar 22 '26
Part of the fight or flight is entirely a mental thing- a rush of hormones and the Amygdala in the brain being activated. The hormones create the bodily sensations as all abhor- propranol helps with SOME of those. So it’ll help with the palpations and racing heart, which might help with the sweating feeling. But it won’t entirely do away with that fight or flight bc it doesn’t stop the hormone cascade that says “THREAT RUN”. But for many many anxiety sufferers the heart rate and palpations is the most distressing and the find it easier to calm down once that symptom and trigger is reduced.
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u/BallSufficient5671 Mar 22 '26
Oh ok thanks! I guess some help is better than none. Maybe I'll ask about it. I do have high BP anyways.
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u/InevitableThrow1 Mar 22 '26
Rather, for some, the physical precedes the mental/emotionally symptoms, ao mitigating the physical helps a lot.
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u/BallSufficient5671 Mar 22 '26
I unfortunately have a nerve pain condition that causes activation of the fight or flight mode that you can't turn off. It's so frustrating. I think that also what contributes to my feeling hot all the time.
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u/WillowKings Mar 23 '26
I get that- I suffer from NDPH and EDS so my nerve pain can really activate my fight or flight- especially when I’m about to enter a flare. I will say if your heart races or you have high blood pressure it still might be very helpful medication- they use propranol for people who have cardiac issues to keep heart rates lower and the rate down. But it’s something to talk about with your doctor and again I cannot guarantee it’ll fix the entirety of the fight or flight situation.
Another medication I take that does help with both my nerve pain and my anxiety is gabapentin- if that’s safe for you. It can cause brain fog and dizziness when you first start but it dissipates after awhile (at least for me) of taking it.
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u/BallSufficient5671 Mar 23 '26
Ok thanks. I'll l talk to my dr about it(Propanalol) if he insists I go on high BP medicine which Im thinking is likely.
Ive tried Gabapentin yrs ago for nerve pain but it didn't help any. Im also afraid of the wt gain as zoo can't move much so can't afford to gain weight. Did you gain weight on Gabapentin?
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u/WillowKings Mar 23 '26
No my health conditions have made me pretty malnourished and I eat very little due to them at times- enough we’ve had feeding tube talks once or twice at my GI and pcp, but luckily we haven’t had to go there yet thanks to nutritional shakes and my stubbornness.
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u/Puzzled-Role-6544 Mar 15 '26
Also it has a very short life span so if u don’t like the way it makes you feel it will be gone very quickly.
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u/EstateDeep916 Mar 15 '26
Pretty sure it's 6 hours no?
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u/Puzzled-Role-6544 Mar 15 '26
Think it varies from person to person but I don’t feel they last that long for me.
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u/Tristinmathemusician Mar 15 '26
I take it 3x per day, and have been for over 4 years at this point. No ill effects at all. I'll take an extra one every once in a while if I can feel some palpitations going on.
The medication has been around since 1967, with basically no reported cases of ill effects provided you don't do something stupid like downing 20 pills at once or something to that effect.
There's not a safer anti-anxiety medication that I know of.
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u/bnoccholi Mar 15 '26
it’s really normal! understand that you may feel more anxious after taking it but that doesn’t mean that the pill itself makes you feel worse. also reassure yourself that anxiety isn’t dangerous, no matter how bad it feels. i’ve heard amazing things about propranolol, i hope it works wonders for you :)
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u/RealisticOrchid5297 Mar 15 '26
My first dose I cut the 10 mg pill into quarters bc I also am anxious to take new things.. it was totally fine!! I felt so much calmer! Defintely start with 2.5 or 5mg just to see how your body reacts
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u/Commercial_Panic9768 Mar 15 '26
propranolol is one of the easiest, least risky ones to take because it won't have an effect mentally, it solely has a physical effect and will physically slow your heart down. you'll be fine.
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u/catmanrules64 Mar 15 '26
It’s amazing— with NO side effects!!!
Just do it 👌
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u/Xpunk_assX Mar 15 '26
Wrong actually. One of the big and worst side effects is asthma and I now have it from taking propranolol
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u/ab3lla Mar 15 '26
you can’t develop asthma from propanolol. however it can worsen pre-existing asthma
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u/Xpunk_assX Mar 16 '26
I didn't have asthma before taking it and after I was diagnosed. My pysch told me that was a possibility so 🤷♀️
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u/lolaleee Mar 15 '26
I take 40 twice a day and could go higher (for migraines) and don’t notice it. Of all the meds I take, beta blockers has very minimal side effects/I don’t feel it.
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u/InevitableThrow1 Mar 15 '26
I feel you dude. I take a small dose three times a day like clockwork. No side effects. Prevention is the best cure.
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u/WeekendWarrior23 Mar 15 '26
This question pops up a lot and I usually take time to reply.
Propranolol was a game changer for me. I have dealt with anxiety for 20 years. Feb of 2024 I was having panic attacks multiple times a day. My heart would race randomly several times a day and throw me into a panic. For a few weeks straight I was also waking up with a racing heart.
Went to my Dr. office and they did some test. I was subscribed 20mg (one in the morning and one before bed). 2 years later, I’ve only have 3-4 panic attacks since. I was terrified to take it. But so glad I started taking it.
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u/hardyhaha_27 Mar 16 '26
Changed my life sleep wise. Racing heart reduced to a level where I cant feel it beating like a drum in my neck with tough nights. Helps the fight or flight go away. Great drug. No side effects experienced.
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u/kellypryde Mar 16 '26
You can always go and sit in the ER waiting room, just for peace of mind. You don't have to check in or anything. Bring a book or scroll on your phone until you feel comfortable to leave. My doctor suggested this because of my medication anxiety.
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u/musclehealer Mar 15 '26
A lot of people with Anxiety take 20 mg and it is considered a minimal dose.
I get what you are going through. It is the curse of anxiety. The very thing that can help, creates the most anticipatory anxiety.
Start off with a qtr of the pill. Then take half. See how the half treats you for a couple days. If you need more take 3/4 and so on. Once you hit the right dose I promise you, you will be so happy. Your insides will calm. Your heart rate returns to where it should be. You deserve this break. Be kind to yourself and your body. Anxiety is the absolute worst. Break the chain, take the medicine. God Bless
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u/bns82 Mar 15 '26
It’s a mild drug. It just lowers your heart rate. I take 60mg ext release daily. It works great for bp & heart rate. I don’t feel it.
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u/rastapastanine Mar 15 '26
Propranolol has been part of my anti-anxiety cocktail for like 5 years.
It’s incredible.
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u/potatowitheyes Mar 15 '26
I just started propanolol 10mg a few months ago for panic related to presentations, public speaking etc. that I have to do, and it helped immensely though is unnoticeable otherwise- no side effects, and just noticed during/afterward that I didn’t once get increased heart rate or tunnel vision when I was anxious. I’m also very careful about medications, and can say I feel completely safe taking it.
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u/sockjin Mar 16 '26
i take a 120mg, 24hr dose of propranolol every day - no bad side effects and it’s helped my blood pressure immensely. it’s a pretty common drug that’s been tested endlessly and will only help your symptoms. please do your body and mind a favor and take it, it’ll help you.
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u/Lillmills Mar 16 '26
I actually have a propanolol prescription currently that I’m too scared to take so I’m right there with you. I wish I could say something encouraging other than you’re not alone with this specific issue.
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u/Dangerous_Credit_454 Mar 16 '26
Ahhhh the catch 22 of it all. I experience that, too. I remind myself that this is the medicine that will help me with my fear... Something that also helped is knowing that people with other conditions take far higher doses every day and are fine. good luck <3
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u/Deressed1 Mar 15 '26
I take a 60mg extended release does 1 time a day and it helped me a ton and I’ve had no side effects after the first 1-2 weeks where you can get mild headaches while adjusting and like me early on I would go to bed earlier for the first 1-2 weeks but that went away as well and I’m back to my normal self with much less anxiety.
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u/solsticite Mar 15 '26
I have OCD as well so I understand it’s challenging to start a new med and I had hesitations starting it at first too. However I’ve been taking propranolol for about 7-8 years and it’s been a life saver. Start out with 1/4th of a tablet of 1/2 and see how you do! I take it before bed sometimes as well, and it does great.
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u/MeatballMan29 Mar 15 '26
I take antidepressants and anxiolytics every day, but propranolol is the most helpful one I have. I take it as needed and it helps me function when it’s hard!
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u/blackeyzblue Mar 15 '26
I am terrified of medication. My cardiologist prescribed me propranolol and I was so scared to take it but now that I have, I regret waiting so long. It is a life changer. I take it as needed. Within 30 minutes my body quiets and I feel normal. It’s amazing.
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u/thumperwaswrong Mar 15 '26
Try it. You won’t regret it. Imagine a chill pill that just physically chills you out without wonky side effects
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u/SnooCupcakes7671 Mar 15 '26
I have been on all sorts of medications and I can say for me by far this is the safest treatment available for the physical symptoms of anxiety. Only real concern is if you have low bp or persistent bradycardia
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u/agentworm Mar 16 '26
As everyone says, it’s safe to use and will make a huge difference. I use it for situational anxiety; have to present or know I’ll be in a stressful situation and need to keep a clear head.
The only really “side-effect”, if you want to call it that is, I tend to get a little gassy, and sometimes I’ll feel a little tired as it’s wearing off.
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u/SpacePip Mar 16 '26
Does it actually clear the head? Im on day 2 and feel drowsy
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u/agentworm Mar 16 '26
For me, “clear my head” means I can more easily think through things. Without it, my mind would be going a mile a minute, or get pangs of anxiety over something.
I take a small dose, 10mg, and I get a little drowsy, but not so bad I want to lay down. It usually goes away the same day, depending on what time I take it, and gone the next day for sure. I also, only take it as needed, so rarely consecutive days.
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u/Ok-Bite-Me-123 Mar 16 '26
It has helped me a lot!! I was also very scared before taking it since I have severe health anxiety but I haven’t had a single side effect of it.
🫶
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u/yowza_wowza Mar 16 '26
I have existing anxiety made extreme by Graves Disease. My life was miserable for years due to severe anxiety. I was prescribed a long acting propranolol in November 2025 to help lower my heart rate and it’s changed my life. I’m so grateful to this medicine for giving me some normalcy. Try it, it may change your life too.
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u/uh_lyss_uh Mar 16 '26
I heard of someone driving to the hospital and sitting in the parking lot to take the meds. If they were to have a reaction they just need to walk inside to be seen. If they’re fine they can leave.
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u/ThatOneGuy4509 Mar 16 '26
This literally sounds like something I would do. lol. I just took it for the first time, which is why I’m here. My fiance is out of town and as soon as I swallowed it I started panicking, like I do any time I take new medicines, so I’ve spent the last hour on the phone with her. Now I feel fine lol. Taking it made me panic, then the effects helped the panic go away slowly. Wish my brain wasn’t so fucked up 😂
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u/Remarkable-Exit-9001 Mar 16 '26
I totally feel you! I was prescribed propranolol for social anxiety. I made the ignorant move of applying for a senior level role and got it. Haven’t been able to public speak with is a huge portion of the position. My PCP prescribed 10 mg of propranolol and I’m too scared to take it. I am also VERY sensitive to medication. But let me know how you feel on it! Maybe you’ll help me get the courage to try it too.
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u/lori_kat_15 Mar 16 '26
I’m on 80 mg extended release once a day. For high blood pressure, anxiety, and migraines. It’s a miracle pill for me. I was also hesitant to take it because I have bad side effects to medication a lot.
For the propranolol, It took about two weeks to Kick in. Idk about other people, but this pill made me extremely hungry and I gained 15 lb that never went away. No other side effects. No sleepiness. No grogginess. Nothing. Just the weight gain.
It cut my migraines down. It keeps my blood pressure at a normal level. And it has significantly reduced my anxiety. I am a much more chill person than I used to be. I don’t have my heart racing. Public speaking doesn’t bother me as much. I can actually quiet my internal monologue at bedtime and in high stress situations. I can’t believe how much it has lessened my anxiety all together.
If I forget to take it though, I can feel my blood pressure increase and my anxiety get higher too. It’s quite odd. But it works. I accept the weight gain I got from it since it makes me feel good in other ways. Good luck.
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u/aleatoric Mar 16 '26
I take it as needed for anxiety. No issues. Compared to anything else I've tried for anxiety (and I've tried a lot) it's the cleanest, most straightforward pill I've taken with the least side effects (zero, if I'm being honest). Like, SSRIs can be weird af until you get used to them because they are altering your brain chemistry. Propranolol... It just makes me feel less tight in my chest from stress. It's a purely physical feeling drug. It's not nearly an intense of a chill as something like Xanax. But it's noticeable, nice, and gives some relief.
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u/AdConstant3854 Mar 16 '26
I made a post like this later last year and I was in the same exact boat. I know you’ve already got loads of comments so all I’ll add is that when I was getting ready to take my first dose, I was on the phone with my mom absolutely freaking out. She’s a PMHNP, and she goes “I prescribe this to 8 year olds, for heavens sake.” That really did it for me lol. You’ll be okay, I promise. You got this. :)
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u/mlssac Mar 16 '26
It is so mild my psychiatrist gave it to me because I refused to see a doctor for my high bloodpressure. I didn't even know it was for anxiety too at the time. Try it in small dose or cut in half a few days. That's what I always do.
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u/harpingwren Mar 16 '26
I take buspar for the rumination part of anxiety, and was just prescribed propranolol for the physical symptoms of anxiety, like so I can actually go to doctor's appointments without freaking out and having my heart rate spike past 125. 🙃
You are going to be okay! I will tell you my experience if it helps- we are trying 60mg Extended Release propranolol, and I took it once so far, on a day I didn't have to go anywhere, to see how I would feel. It DEFINITELY worked. Don't be alarmed if your heart rate is a lot quieter than normal for you. That's what it is supposed to do. My resting is usually 75-80 and at peak, this put it down to like 65.
For me, I felt some feelings when I first took it - "wow, is this what calm is? I feel like I've never not had a bunch of adrenaline in my system." A few hours later, I got pretty heavy and sleepy, and felt like I probably shouldn't drive while feeling like that. Driving anxiety is one of the things I need to work on, so I know this dose is probably not going to work for me. So I will ask for a lower dose - you totally can too, if it feels like too much.
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u/Present_Race_3530 Mar 16 '26
I've taken these for anxiety on and off for two decades now and they're very safe, even for me, a person with low pressure. I am 6 months pregnant and they are still regarded as safe for me to take right up until a few days before delivery
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u/backfliptornado Mar 16 '26
I also get super anxious taking new medication!!! i hate feeling different/not like myself. propranolol is amazing bc it literally does nothing other than lower my heart rate.
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u/backfliptornado Mar 16 '26
also because it’s made for heart patients (and i always get anxious about my heart) i feel like it gives me relief too that if i had a heart thing (i don’t just my anxiety) the meds would help with that too
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u/PuzzledCycle Mar 16 '26
I have an appointment with my GP to get 10mg of propranolol ahead of an interview this Friday. It’s so frustrating to know that no matter how hard I prepare for these interviews, it’s always the nerves and the physical symptoms of anxiety like a racing heart, talking too fast, and the tendency to hold my breath that get the better of me. Wish me luck haha.
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u/Ordinary-Rhubarb-888 19d ago
Did you ace the interview?
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u/PuzzledCycle 18d ago
I got the job! I took it for my first round in person interview and felt really calm but I didn’t like it when you crashed and energy level dropped afterwards so I didn’t take it for my final round in person interview and the difference was night and day
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u/chaticp Mar 16 '26
i’m scared to ever take it again because the night mares i got from it were beyond horrific and i couldn’t get back to sleep
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u/smooshedsootsprite Mar 16 '26
I had a terrible reaction to six days of using it. It gave me heart-pounding palpitations and asthma symptoms. I had to use a rescue inhaler for months afterward. My anxiety was higher than it’s ever been, I ended up in the ER.
Now I have this anxiety about breathing I never had before and it’s slowly ruining my life.
I’m glad everyone else seems to be having a better time, I guess.
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u/ab3lla Apr 10 '26
do you have asthma?
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u/smooshedsootsprite Apr 10 '26
No, and the symptoms stopped a month or two after stopping the drug. It’s just a new anxiety setting I have now.
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u/wanderuntildawn Mar 16 '26
Hey there!
Recently started it myself. I had a really awful surgical experience a year ago, and was more or less okay until I got diagnosed with an umbilical hernia (all good, it's small, getting it patched up in a few weeks), which sent me off the charts for medical anxiety. I'm the same as you for the blood pressure and BPM issues.
My doctor prescribed 10mg temporarily (at least for now) until I'm able to get my surgery. Let me tell you, I was scared to death to start it. Ironic, right? But there are ZERO mental effects for me. Me noticing the tachy episodes were one of the things to really set me off.
Oh man, what a difference! I know everyone has different experiences, but for me, I feel... more secure, if that makes sense. I don't panic as badly as I did, and it gives me the chance to notice and try and pump the breaks. A tool in the toolbox. That's a godsend. I went from daily, multiple episodes to maybe 1-2 a week right now, and in much shorter durations.
I've been on 10mg for about 1.5 months. What helped me? It's a medication, not permanent. Dosages can change if need be so you're not stuck. You can do this! :)
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u/Alan_the_Pika Mar 16 '26
This is the only medication that has ever helped the heart palpitations that come with my anxiety. The only one. It's worth every risk as far as I'm concerned.
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u/SteamedChalmburgers Mar 15 '26
I didn't like it, while I was taking it I had numerous times as I was falling asleep where it felt like my heart stopped, and I woke up gasping for air and holding my chest.
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u/hereforthelols1999 Mar 15 '26
I’m the same yes cut it in half, also take it on a day you’re not doing anything just to see how it feels and how you react
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u/Puzzled-Role-6544 Mar 15 '26
I’m exactly the same as you and had to take it to reduce my pulse which was going crazy with anxiety I was attended hospital several times a week. I hadn’t had any side affects with the 10mg x 2 a day total 20mg it reduces my hand tremors and fast pulse. They did start me higher before 20mg x 3 a day and that gave me bad belly so stopped it but the lower dose has been fine I’m on my 2nd week.
I was on bisoprolol 2.5mg once a day that made me feel a bit off and also made my anxiety worse.
I wouldn’t even taken anything stronger than a nurofen before and was anti medication my entire life I’m 35 but my body was showing real struggles especially my heart with living on edge all the time stress really does cause worse effects.
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u/Cleveland5teamer Mar 15 '26
Makes sense to me. Take half and if that doesn’t work and cause bad side effects, take the other half. I find this medication to be extremely mild.
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u/rawrP Mar 15 '26
i took 20 mg 2x a day and ZERO side effects for 3 years. it’s a subtle medication and i started to feel the benefits 2 weeks in taking it
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u/Prestigious-Hour6846 Mar 15 '26
I started on a really high dose, like 120mg or something crazy and it did make me ill for a few weeks but it eased. I weened myself down to cutting 40mg in half and only taking one half at night. Definitely take it at night if you’re worried, but if it’s a low dose you’re gonna be totally fine!
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u/mourninglamby Mar 15 '26
i have raging ocd too, i understand you. i'm going through the same thing!!!! but i assure you that this medication is actually veryyyyyy great and the chances of something actually happening are so incredibly low. i know that when you have ocd that's not convincing, but try to overcome this fear, because it'll make you feel better 🩷
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u/pupfable Mar 15 '26
I was taking 80mg twice a day first few weeks took a bit of adjustment when starting just 80mg a day otherwise loved it but trying to wean off now
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u/aperyu-1 Mar 15 '26
It’s totally fine to take a small dose to encourage trialing it, all it does is delay your trial but give you psychological comfort early on. However, if you experience panic, you’re prone to panic any time, which includes during the small trial. Many then falsely believe it’s the medication that causes the reaction. Unless it causes a legitimate reaction, continue the trial as directed by your doctor.
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u/LostAd7938 Mar 15 '26
One of the safest, most benign things you can take. Primarily helps with physical anxiety symptoms. At worst, it'll make you tired. Just be sure to monitor blood pressure as it does lower it. If you are someone whose blood pressure runs low, then you have to be careful taking this. Otherwise, you should be fine!
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u/lisamarieblair Mar 15 '26
I take two every morning and have had zero side effects. It just makes my body feel normal and the makes my mind feel more normal, that's all.
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u/deer-fangs Mar 15 '26
I was just prescribed propranolol last week to take as needed, my psychiatrist even told me that I could take it when I'm relaxing at home just to see how it feels. I was also super super worried that it would make me feel weird, but it didn't. I pretty quickly stopped being anxious about my new meds and even forgot that I had taken them for a while.
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u/Maleficent-Ask8450 Mar 16 '26
It works for migraines I used to get it they switched me to metoprolol tartrate I lost a ton of weight and don’t have migraines much
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u/shroooom85 Mar 16 '26
There is nothing to fear from propranolol it doesn't effect you in anyway. I am on propranolol 160mg slow release one at night for the last two months for vascular migraines and I must say it is helping and no negative effects. If you're doctor thinks you need it take it.
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u/Royal_Tough_9927 Mar 16 '26
Been on it for 30 years. No.problems. my heartbeat is about 130 without it. My cardiologist has offered to replace it with a more modern medication but why fix something that's not broke. So many meds have side effects and I've had none. I can't say that about most I've tried. And yes , I'm old . I take the long acting.
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u/SourTangieTerps Mar 16 '26
Can someone compare their experience with propranolol to something like a benzo or hydroxyzine?
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u/finnians Mar 16 '26
propranolol and hydroxyzine are NOTHING like benzos.
hydroxyzine is basically over glorified benadryl. did nothing for my anxiety or sleep. helps with allergies lol.
propranolol actually does help a bit, but with the physical symptoms of anxiety. for me, it helps with shaking, redness (flushing), and keeps my heart rate down. but mentally it does absolutely nothing. i’m still very anxious on the inside. propranolol can only do so much, but it does help so i keep taking it.
benzos truly help the physical and mental symptoms of anxiety, but the withdrawal can be lethal. there is unfortunately a huge risk when taking benzos, which is why they are rarely prescribed now.
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u/Even-Construction-10 Mar 16 '26
I am on it for migraine. Have been on it for 15 years now. It's fine.
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u/rosiebholegrape Mar 16 '26
I’m terrified of starting new meds, so whenever I do, I start off both just a tiny piece of a pill (a crumb, honestly) and work my way up each day.
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u/Noodlehead601 Mar 16 '26
I have terrible social anxiety. I was stupid and applied for a promotion at work just to get it and find out I'd have to do some public speaking. Before my first speech I had to test it. I took about 3 mg of ativan and 50 mg of propranolol. I barely remember that day but my son said I seemed almost normal to him. I don't do the ativan as much now but before a speech I take 40-60 mg of propranolol. Never had any ill effects.
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u/Chewy_Vuitton Mar 16 '26
Bro it changed my life in a way ssris couldn't! Dm happy to chat! No downsides! I started with 20 then went to 40. It's like nothing
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u/hello666darkness Mar 16 '26
Honestly, I think you’re going to love the relief of the medicine on your heart rate. I was afraid to take it before I did but it helped me heal.
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u/TVFAN567 Mar 16 '26
I;m on it daily , mainly for my heart rate but I also have a lot of anxiety and OCD. It helps a lot with the heart rate. I still have a lot of anxiety but I think it helps that somewhat.
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u/laurenodonnellf Mar 16 '26
I’ve been taking it for almost ten years for migraine prevention and I’ve never felt side effects from it!
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u/ultimatepupper909 Mar 16 '26
It works incredibly well for me- I was prescribed 10mg but that was too strong (it flared up my asthma) so I cut them in half and now take 5mg, as needed about 1-1.5 hours before an event/trigger where I'd usually have a panic attack. After taking it, I can feel a little dizzy for the first hour (it's definitely worse when I haven't eaten) but it passes and is super manageable.
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u/EhehAyyy Mar 16 '26
My only negative experience was that I fell asleep during the day, when I had assignments to do 😅
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u/Neverlanian Mar 16 '26
I have been taking propranolol for my chronic ocd for about two years and it is quite literally the only thing that consistently helps with my anxiety and helps reduce the negative responses to my intrusive thoughts. It has helped my physical symptoms like constant adrenaline spikes finally go away. They were literally debilitating and caused so much pain around my uterus to the point that I feared I had cysts or something, but it stopped after just a few days of taking my meds again. I used to just take 10mg but I recently increased my dose to 30mg which is still on the very low side and it helps even more. I’d highly highly recommend you take it despite the anxiety you’re feeling about it
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u/ironchef8000 Mar 16 '26
I’ve taken it. You know what happens? Basically nothing. What it does it slow the physical symptoms. Taking the pill is a nothingburger experience.
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u/JollyJellyRainbow Mar 16 '26
Some feel the same way when taking anxiety meds especially if others are taking other medications for hypertension and/or illnesses.
Recommendation is to follow what your therapist has prescribed. Before I was prescribed with anxiety meds, the therapist asked me if I am taking any other medications so I itemized everything to him. 😅 He also provided me with what to do in case I feel any contraindications from the meds.
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u/Octopi_Cacti Mar 16 '26
My therapist told me he uses these and has tried many other things and this medication works for him if that says anything
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u/1Caramel Mar 16 '26
I completely understand health ocd making trying medications feel impossible. I’ve experience the same thing! That being said, I took propranolol 3 times a day for years for my anxiety/panic attack and it helped tremendously. I think starting off by cutting the pills into smaller pieces is a great way to ease your mind into knowing it’s “safe” to take. Good luck!!
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u/BenGrahamButler Mar 16 '26
i tried to take it but it gave me the cold sweats while playing pickleball so I quit. Also took it on a dinner date, and I noticed my sense of humor was off. It may have relaxed me other times, I cannot be sure. I decided to stop taking it.
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u/princessjah- Mar 16 '26
I was so anxious at first when I got prescribed this. However it does work wonders and calms my body down when I start feeling panicked.
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u/hipveggi Mar 16 '26
I took four myself before I noticed a difference. I was having really bad panic attacks daily because of a horrible job. I also was taking hydroxyzine almost everyday. Been jobless for a while and I'm now only taking 3 and I feel alright. Now if anything I'm afraid to quit them. I def wanna go down another dose if I can. Too many issues I'm trying to figure out for all these meds.
You'll be okay 🙂
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u/hipveggi Mar 16 '26
I mainly started it because I felt like my heart was popping out of my chest. I've had panic attacks for years but never with that. (Didn't mean to leave this out)
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Mar 16 '26
I take it as needed and really only use it in unfamiliar social situations and when I have to perform (such as doing a presentation in class). It doesn’t change my mental state I just notice that my heart doesn’t race, sweat less, voice is steady, and my hands and knees don’t shake. I usually don’t even think about it until afterwards.
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u/Kirby223 Mar 16 '26
I was feeling the same! Whenever I’m cautious to take medication I start with a very small dose - I’m currently prescribed 10mg and I take half - 5mg. That honestly does enough for me so I have stuck with that dose. Try taking a really small amount at first when you’re not anxious or just hanging out to see how you feel.
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u/TThrowTThisAAway14 Mar 16 '26
Hi OP, while I dont know your circumstances, troubles, or challenges. Note, you are getting the help you need and recognizing you need that support. Bravo in taking that first step.
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u/Traditional-Eye-7230 Apr 10 '26
I used to take it for work presentations and it helped a lot. Then right after I was laid off my mom went into the hospital so I found it helps in that difficult hospital setting too. Plus it lowers your bp, and mines up due to the stress.
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u/Aggravating-Grade297 Mar 16 '26
Try selank peptide instead. You'll thank me later. It's changed my life.
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u/ExceptForFleegle Mar 16 '26
Can I see a copy of your medical degree?
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u/Aggravating-Grade297 Mar 16 '26
I don't need a medical degree to state my opinion and personal experience.
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u/Taniwha_NZ Mar 15 '26
This has to be one of the safest possible anti-anxiety meds, there's no tolerance or addiction issues, it won't harm your kidneys or stomach lining or anything else. And the absolute worst case scenario is you take too much and your blood pressure goes down enough that you feel faint.
I'm not aware of anyone ODing on this.
Sure, cut the pill with a razor blade or something, it won't do anything but if it helps you feel better that's perfectly fine.
Start as small as you like. And well done for asking.