For those of you doing well on propranolol for anxiety, I've read a lot about how it can cause nightmares and insomnia. What was your experience? I just started the medication and I already deal with insomnia and unsettling dreams. I'm afraid the medication will make this worse. Please help! Thank you!
Does propranolol cause sleep disturbance/nightmares/insomnia?
Question posted by Jules1979 on 17 Dec 2021
Last updated on 17 December 2021 by WildcatVet
Answers
Hi, Jules!
They are possible side effects:
"Nervous system
Common (1% to 10% of users): Fatigue, sleep disturbances, nightmares, sleep disorder"
Generally, side effects tend to subside over days to a week or so but if they persist they should be reported to your doctor for professional advice.
I took propranolol for several months for anxiety symptoms while my anxiety medication was becoming fully effective without any problem.
Best regards and I hope you do well.
That’s a good question, and I think with any medication, side effects are dependent on dose size. The greater the dose, the greater the chance of having more severe side effects. That being said, I take 10mg of propranolol daily. In the past I’ve also taken 20mg daily. So low doses in both cases. People taking this for HBP can take doses of 80-160mg a day. I have never had any insomnia, nightmares, or weird dreams. The medication just physically slows my body down when it is “amped up”. My wife takes 80mg a day for migraine prevention and she also has not experienced any sleep issues. We are all different, but I hope this helps. If you are worried, sometimes starting on the smallest dose helps your ease your mind. Good luck to you.
Related topics
anxiety, insomnia, nightmares, generalized anxiety disorder, propranolol, sleep, medication
Further information
- Propranolol uses and safety info
- Propranolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propranolol (detailed)
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