I am starting on propranolol for anxiety. wondering if anyone is taking this and if they have had a side effect of weight gain
Anxiety - do you gain weight on propranolol?
Question posted by pennysch on 7 June 2013
Last updated on 19 December 2023
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
28 Answers Page 2
cam777
14 June 2019
I gained nearly 2 stone since taking propranolol (40mg twice a day) for migraines. No level of activity of calorie reduction has done anything to shift it so am quitting today as I find the weight gain harder to handle than the migraines, which sumatriptan seems to fix quite well. propranolol was really good for migraines but do consider the possibility of weight gain.
Jennafur
27 March 2019
I missed the early comment from Karen. I find it appalling. Making blanket statements without individual knowledge is irresponsible at best, judgemental and ignorant more likely. People are looking for support and answers here, not accusations. It’s fantastic that Karen hasn’t had any issue with propranolol and weight gain but others are. Personally, I’ve never had weight issues before propranolol, as a matter of fact I’m still 5’6” and a size 2, I’m in my 40’s and until propranolol wore a bikini to the beach (and wore it well.) I own a fitness company, I hike, ride horses, workout and enjoy and active life with my husband and teenage son... so my choices are better than most.
I feel sharing my experience of drastic weight gain and other bizarre and troubling symptoms/side effects that occurred only after taking propranolol and with no other lifestyle or medical changes, with others who may be struggling is worthwhile. I certainly hope others do not experience the same struggles but would like them to know if they do, they aren’t alone and I won’t be making irresponsible and ridiculous claims of others simply because we don’t share the same physical experience.
Jennafur
27 March 2019
I went on propranolol in October for Migraines, it’s been a nightmare.
I’m weaning off now, just hoping I go back to normal once I’m officially off it!
I’ve gained 20lbs (no change in diet or activity) I’m super bloated, have horrificly dry itchy skin, tired all the time, can’t tolerate my workouts, blood pressure dropped, heart rate (already low) is now lower and weirdest one... extreme sun sensitivity!! It seems like all the “rare” side-effects I have them. I do have thyroid disease... maybe a correlation?! So grateful for this site, seeing other people are experiencing similar issues is comforting. Now I hope to see others are losing the weight once off propranolol!! Good luck to all!
emdodgen
8 Feb 2019
I have gained weight since starting propranolol but my migraines have greatly decreased.
HOMM
29 April 2018
Yes, have gained 5 pounds in a month. I am taking it for tremors in my left hand. I have to find something else or I will put more weight on. Just lost 15 pounds and now put 5 back on because of the medication! Not good!
Marc59
2 Feb 2018
I was on Propranolol for 3years - 160mg per day - to control my migraines. They worked to start with but over the last six months my migraines got worse. I also ended up one and a half stones heavier. In Dec 2016, I came off the Propranolol and was prescribed other meds (which didn't work). However, after 12 months I had lost the extra weight - without dieting. In Dec 2017 my neurologist, having concluded I could not tolerate the other meds, suggested I go back on to Propranolol, starting at 80mg a day and increasing it up to 240mg (if needed - I am on 120mg per day just now).
In the seven weeks I have been taking Propranolol I have gained 10lbs - and my diet has not changed one jot and I am walking more than I did to try to counteract it but without success. I am also feeling more lethargic. What's worse is that the Propranolol hasn't touched my migraines.
I will give it another few weeks but if my migraines don't improve and my weight keeps going up I will stop taking them. Having migraines is bad enough; having them and being overweight as well is not fun.
Marc59
2 Feb 2018
I also meant to add that I am experiencing breathlessness now, which I haven't experienced previously, and that my legs feel heavier. IN general I feel as though everything is slowing down.
trista72
16 Feb 2018
I have been on it for 2 months and I have gained 20 lbs and itch like I have poison ivy... They are taking me off it ... I just hope the weight that I did gain comes off ,,,
TazB75
11 June 2018
I was placed on Propranalol 80mg prolonged release over twelve mths ago for essential tremor. In that year I piled on the weight especially around my abdominal area and thighs. The drug was severely lowering my blood pressure and caused severe water retention. In a nutshell it was severally slowing me down. Chronic fatigue to breathlessness. I am a month now tapered off them and in a mth I have lost 12lb in weight with no diet changes .Horrible drug. For me anyhow.
NicoleFlo
5 July 2021
How did you wean off propranolol? I also take it for migraines but find it is not helping anymore.
Jane Coe
9 Nov 2017
Hi! I've been on propranolol for almost a year and I did put on weight quickly, especially around abdominal area. Also having pretty serious fatigue issues, so exercise is very light-weight and sporadic.However , it has worked beautifully as far as the anxiety and heart palpitations. I also noticed slight memory loss, but none of these side effects are too much to make me stop taking it.
Finkstar78
10 July 2017
I am taking propranolol 20mg 2 x day and have not noticed any weight gain and anxiety is so
Much better.
Inactive
9 June 2013
When I was on it (for migraines) I didn't gain weight but I couldn't lose weight. Once I stopped taking it I dropped weight quickly. I always felt it was the medication that kept me from losing weight. - EJ23
pickles503
10 June 2013
That's interesting, and gives me a different perspective of the med. Thanks for sharing lil chickie.
Ep57260
16 May 2015
Hi I was on 100mg of topamax 2xs a day for several years. It never caused the rapid weight loss side effect like it does for some (just my luck
pello
2 May 2017
I tried topiramate before propranolol it didn't stop my migraines but I dropped down to 6.5 stone
endlessPred
8 June 2013
Hi. I have seen no weight gain in those I know who take this med. it does work quickly and is often used for performance anxiety as it doesn't impair thinking and motor skills.
It appears to cause weight gain in individuals who are already dealing with that problem. As long as you stay with healthy choices and get exercise you will be fine. Can't blame the med if the choices aren't good, right? Hope it does you well and helps you to conquer the anxiety. Karen
pello
2 May 2017
I have been on propranolol for 15 months now following a motorbike accident which left me with chronic migraines. I have always been very active & a size 6-8 my whole life, I usually weigh around 7.3 stones in 15 months I have gained just over 2stone!!! It must be the drug
angel1662
8 June 2013
hello pennysch...
I was on it for propranolol for yrs, not on it now for they have me on clonidine for high blood pressure/hypertension... but the yrs I was it didn't case me weight gain, I guess it depends on the individual in my opinion... but like I said that's just me I didn't...
pickles503
8 June 2013
Hi Penny. How are you today?
From everything I read, including forums, to get both sides of this question. The internet side and the true reality. The reality side is it causes gross weight gain in a short period of time.
The internet side is on this link from drugs.com below, it covers more info on the technicalities.
https://www.drugs.com/sfx/propranolol-side-effects.html
It's strange but there's hardly any sites that say it causes weight gain
I'm not a doc, the answer will come from the two of you. I'd love to tell you more, but were all being censored so much that it kinda changes our pattern of writing.
Many blessings,'
Anna
weenett
7 June 2013
ive taken it for months find it really good and works within half an hour probably quicker ive never had any weight gain either
Related topics
weight loss (obesity/overweight), anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, propranolol, side effect, weight
Further information
- Propranolol uses and safety info
- Propranolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propranolol (detailed)
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