Anxiety - do you gain weight on propranolol?

It seems that it depends on the circumstances. I take it for heart palpitations and high heart rate, 20mg morning and night. I am a very active person and eat healthy. I have not noticed being any more tired than I already am on a daily basis. My heart rate is actually normal now instead of racing all day. I finally don’t feel like I have a caffeine high when not having any caffeine at all. I have not gained any weight and have been on it a year. So my suggestion for people gaining weight from meds is to eat healthier and stay (or get) active.

So I take it for anxiety and noticed it actually decreases my metabolism and I feel like I’ve dropped a lot of weight while taking it instead of gaining it. Obviously everyone’s body is different so I can’t say that people are loosing weight or gaining it while on the medication. At some point tho I do want to get off it because it makes my energy kind of crash but other than that it does me well for anxiety.

No weight gain for me. Currently 20mg daily.

Not for the moment .

I was put on this medication for migraines previously and did not notice weight gain because I was already struggling with my weight and did not monitor. After being put on topamax and losing 25 pounds I was put on 60 mg of propranolol for anxiety. In a month and a half I have gained almost 10 pounds with no change in diet and in the last two weeks I've actually lowered my calorie intake and began exercising in the last week. I checked the scale this morning and gained three pounds in a week. I am done taking this medication. I noticed while doing my peloton workouts that my heart rate wasn't where it should be and I thought my monitor was broken until I put two and two together, this medication is keeping my heart rate so low I can't get to a good target heart rate to even think about losing weight. You won't lose weight on this medication if you try to while working out. How frustrating! I'd rather be anxious than keep this weight gain up. Not worth it.

I've been on Propranolol 60mg for 30 years & never had a weight gain. I weigh 110lbs.

I lost my beautiful daughter last fall and my doctor tried several different antidepressants but none worked. Finally he put me on Fluoxetine which seemed to work the best however caused heart palpitations and shakiness. He then put me on Propranolol to combat that. It works well but I have gained 17 lbs in 2 1/2 months. I normally don’t have an issue with weight. I’m going to ween myself off and see how I feel. The weight gain is miserable. I am only 5’4 so that 17 lbs is a lot for me.

I was prescribed inderal August 2019 for palpitations. Within a week I noticed a common side affect of coughing . But most concerning is and I had not previously suffered from this , severe depression, I was before taking this medication 110 pounds and have gained 20 pounds !! Completely lethargic, usually an active person but literally have no energy to do much at all . Prescribed initially 40mg dose x2 tablets now in ten mg . World never ever recommend this to anyone if they could avoid it

The answer is yes, but very rarely:
"Metabolic
Frequency not reported: Weight gain[Ref]

The mechanism by which propranolol induces weight gain is unknown. Some investigators have reported a 4% to 9% reduction in total energy expenditure and a 25% reduction in thermogenic response to food during beta-blocker treatment.[Ref]"

Also, propranolol is prescribed to treat the symptoms of anxiety (racing heartbeat, "jitters", sweating, etc.) but doesn't address the underlying causes(s).

I recently started propranolol and it definitely has made me gain weight. Approx 12lbs in the space of 2-3 months. My weight is very stable and I tend to eat fairly healthy meals and I don't drink alcohol so there has been no change to my usual routine. It has however helped with palpitations so I will continue to take it and monitor my weight

I have been taking 40mg Propranolol for 6 months now. I have always been thin and haven’t noticed any weight gain at all. Could there be another factor contributing to your weight gain?

Hi! Yes!! I gained over 10 pounds immediately. If there is a side affect of weight gain for a drug, I gain. My advice to you is just watch your weight very closely!

I am somewhat confused ? Why are you being Prescribed a Heart Medication for Anxiety ? I took this drug for Paralyzing Migraines. It is a vessel dilator. I had to stop taking it, because it was slowing my Heart to Dangerous Levels. I have been in the Medical Business my entire Career. I have never heard of this Drug being Prescribed for Anxiety ? Who is Prescribing this ? I can tell you that being an Atrocious Bipolar, I suffered extreme Anxiety. I was even Hospitalized for it. The usual drugs for Anxiety is Xanax, Klonopin, Valium, Librium. I do not wish to tell you what to do. However, I am concerned about it. My Suggestion is that you go to another Doctor. Please, let me know what happens ? Also, Please don’t take the Heart Medication until you get a second opinion.

Yes!!! I was prescribed this last year and I've gained a total of 40 lbs!! In my stomach , I now have stretch Mark's and I'm asking my doctor to put me on a water pill, because beta blockers can make you gain weight. I'm very sensitive to medications in general. It does help significantly with anxiety and hypertension

Hi! I took this for high blood pressure and stopped because I put 10 pounds on in a few weeks. A friend is on it and has not gained like I did.
I gain easy and if there is a side effect of weight gain, I will gain!
Just watch the scale, as if you are gaining, tell your doctor and there are other drugs to help! All the best!