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Propranolol for Anxiety User Reviews

Brand names: Inderal LA, Hemangeol, Inderal XL InnoPran XL

Propranolol has an average rating of 7.5 out of 10 from a total of 348 reviews for the off-label treatment of Anxiety. 68% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 19% reported a negative experience.

Propranolol rating summary

7.5 average rating out of 10

348 ratings from 378 user reviews.

Compare all 136 medications used in the treatment of Anxiety.

10
42%
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9%
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4%
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Reviews for Propranolol

  • Jon...
  • March 11, 2021

"I suffered a major panic attack in the first lockdown resulting in an ambulance being called, thinking I was having a heart attack. I was prescribed propranolol and told to take 40mg, so I did. I was still having about 6-7 anxiety/panic attacks a day, so I was told to up my dosage to 80mg. Still having attacks, I was told to increase the dosage to the maximum of 110mg a day. It helped with the attacks, but I was so exhausted from them that I couldn't function properly. I felt spacey and dizzy, I was in a right mess, but it kept the attacks at bay, so it was worth it. The doctor said the side effects were because my body was adjusting to the dosage. Now I'm used to them after being on them for nearly a year, I don't get any side effects at all. I still get the anxiety thoughts and slight sweating now and again, but it doesn't develop into a full-blown attack, which is a massive relief as I was petrified of them. Anxiety has got to be one of the worst conditions in the world, in my experience anyway."

9 / 10
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  • Dan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 25, 2020

"I was prescribed 10 mg propranolol when required but I take it every morning because it lasts all day, and I can actually socialize without anxiety for the first time in years. I’m amazed. I am able to be relaxed. No more racing heart, no shaking, no stuttering, no sweating, and I can look people in the eyes. I can just be chill. I am so grateful. I haven’t noticed any side effects. I have been on it for a week."

10 / 10
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826 Report
  • Smh...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • June 3, 2021

"When initially sought help for panic attacks, I was prescribed a benzo (either Ativan or Klonopin), which worked at first, but tolerance built up. I ended up on high doses of Xanax at one point, taking 10 mg a day. I had to go to a detox unit to get off of them, and the rebound anxiety from that was the most mentally and physically excruciating thing I've ever had to endure in my life. Highly advise against benzos. Over the years, my anxiety has lessened dramatically. I do struggle with fairly bad anxiety occasionally. I read about propranolol but was skeptical that it would work for me, BUT IT DOES! I take 40mg as needed. Getting relief from the physical symptoms of anxiety ends up relieving the mental. It's been a few years now since originally prescribed propranolol, and it still works great."

9 / 10
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572 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • Anonymous
  • January 18, 2021

"For almost 10 years, the Clonazepam kept all of my panic attacks away, and my anxiety was almost nonexistent. Then, about a year ago, the Clonazepam seemed to stop working, and I began having attacks again. When the pandemic hit in March 2020, my anxiety soared to new levels, and I was referred to a psychiatrist to assist in finding the right medication(s). I was put on Buspar, Zoloft, and Gabapentin for sleep. However, I kept having heart racing, which made my anxiety go through the roof. She then prescribed 80mg Propranolol ER. After only a few days, my heart was no longer racing, my mind was quiet, and all panic attacks disappeared! It’s now been 3 weeks, and I can’t begin to explain the relief! I know people think Beta Blockers are only for blood pressure/heart issues, but off-label they are also prescribed for panic disorder and anxiety! This has by far been the most helpful medication I have ever been on! It’s also a very safe medication!"

10 / 10
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  • Alp...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 31, 2019

"This drug propranolol works well for anxiety on a low dose of 10mg twice a day for me. However, at a higher dose of 20 mg twice a day, it was horrible! I had every side effect in the book at that dosage. The dosage makes a big difference. My wife takes 40 mg twice a day for migraines and has zero side effects. I guess we are all different. These reviews would be a lot more helpful if reviewers listed their dosage and how many times per day they take the medication. Someone taking 160 mg a day could have a much different experience than someone taking 20 mg a day. More detailed reviews would help!"

10 / 10
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569 Report

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  • Dan...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 16, 2019

"I work as a barber in London, been cutting for 7 years now, love my job, work with great people. Then BANGGG!! Anxiety, panic attacks come from nowhere! Struggled going to work, the worst thing about it all is that the blushing I got all over my neck and face was a joke. It got to the point where I looked like a freak. It was killing me, a vicious cycle. The doctor recommended 40mg propranolol to take twice daily, only took 40 mg and it works a treat, no blushing!!!!!!! Still a few butterflies but not too bad. No side effects, maybe a bit more of an appetite. I couldn't recommend enough to people. I wish you all well in your journey to conquer anxiety. Remember you are not alone. God bless."

10 / 10
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645 Report
  • Ben...
  • April 17, 2021

"After experiencing a random fall due to low blood pressure during my night shift as a police officer, this was followed by 9 days of crippling debilitating panic attacks with no understanding or reasoning what was happening to me. I was a walking zombie teetering on the edge of a full-blown panic attack every second of the day for 9 days, with attacks happening sporadically. I finally phoned 111 and said I was in crisis and was having suicidal thoughts during the attacks. Anything was better than being here experiencing them. The switched-on doctor prescribed 10mg Propranolol 3 times a day. I cannot explain the effect this has had on me enough. Over the course of the first 2 doses, I can only describe it as before I was on this I was wanting to do something to end my life early in the morning due to these crippling attacks, and now on it, I am back to being myself again."

10 / 10
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406 Report
  • Jus...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 23, 2021

"Started on this 2 months ago after being so fearful to take it. The GP had prescribed 40mg twice a day, but because of my anxiety, I took 20mg twice a day. It definitely works for keeping my panic attacks at bay. I just need to work on the anxiety now as SSRIs don't like me, and I don't like them. I had a few side effects at first of cold hands and feet, but that went after about a week. I would definitely recommend it for panic attacks. I don't normally leave reviews, but this has helped me a lot, so I had to speak out."

9 / 10
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  • que...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • March 29, 2021

"Oh my God, this is the medication that saved my life! I suffer from generalized anxiety where I go to bed and wake up with heart palpitations and racing thoughts. I always had shaky hands and sometimes with an unknown cause. My anxiety got worse during the pandemic and so I developed facial twitches. It decreased my confidence way too much since I would go out and meet people and that would cause me too much anxiety. I would try to smile just to be friendly, but it was a nightmare. I would feel like people are looking at my facial tremor and judging me. I was put on escitalopram for 6 months and I took CBT as well. However, medication did not suit me really well as to the fact I'm only 20 years old and the side effects were serious. Then, a miracle happened... THANK YOU PROPRANOLOL! I was prescribed Propranolol 10 mg in the morning and 10 mg in the night. A sum of 20mg per day... and my goodness, did everything change. Wish I knew about Propranolol sooner."

10 / 10
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321 Report
  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • January 30, 2017

"I'm terrified of medication.... Basically a phobia, I have severe panic attacks.... If you're like me... Try this drug! Made me confident around anyone! Amazing drug for anyone with social anxiety or panic attacks! It helps me in every single aspect of my life. Work, relationships, in every way I was more confident and basically the person I always wanted to be. Confident! No anxiety holding me back! Still terrified of trying new medications but this is one drug I'm so glad I took... And I still take when I feel like I need it. Oh and best part... I have no side effects! At all. I'm the type of person who will panic over even a small side effect and stop taking a medication because of it.... But with this medicine I feel amazing."

10 / 10
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530 Report
  • Joh...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • May 23, 2020

"This propranolol has been a life-saver for me. I have a thyroid condition which triggers anxiety, because my heart is always racing, even when I’m not nervous, and this caused me to basically have anxiety from knowing that I sound nervous all the time — even though I’m really not. Since taking a small dose, my heart beats normally, and the world has gone back to a regular pace. Really good stuff."

10 / 10
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  • Ben...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 30, 2020

"Been on it for about a week and I love it. This was prescribed to me for anxiety as well as citalopram, and I could tell the effects of it from the first day. No elevated heart rate from a stressful situation, no increase in blood to the brain, no anxiety! I stay completely grounded and in the moment. Plus, so far no side effects. It's a godsend! I'll share my experiences after a month or two as well."

10 / 10
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322 Report
  • Jan...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 2, 2020

"I'm a female, 23, 125 lbs, taking propranolol 10mg for anxiety. This medication has worked really well for treating my fast heart rate when I get anxiety (120-145 bpm). I was very hesitant at first to take this as I was nervous for the side effects (darn you anxiety!) but I did not get any side effects! I have found that it's better to take this before you know you're going into a situation that will make you nervous. However, if you take it in the morning, it will help all day. I have taken two 10mg while having a panic attack, and it did work within 5-10 minutes. I definitely think this med is a short-term solution for anxiety, but I will continue taking as it has saved me so many times."

10 / 10
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259 Report
  • Ano...
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • February 11, 2020

"Well, I have been on this medication propranolol for anxiety for over 3 years now. I take 40mg 3 times a day. It helps my anxiety no end. Before, I wasn't on this medication, I would get severe anxiety attacks to the point where I was experiencing physical symptoms such as heart palpitations, chest pain, and a racing heart rate, which was scary due to anxiety. Ever since I have taken this medication, I feel calmer and more spaced out. I do get one side effect though, and that is tiredness, but that is normal. I can live with that side effect. I am so pleased with this medication, I would highly recommend it if you have anxiety and stage fright."

10 / 10
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233 Report
  • New...
  • December 22, 2020

"I have tried both the normal propranolol and the extended release. Normal: for me, it takes about 40-50mg to have any effect. You still feel anxious but the physical symptoms just don’t start. It’s amazing. Ideal for things like stage fright. Extended release: when my anxiety became too much, I was put on the extended release (80mg every morning). After a day, it felt like a weight was lifted off my shoulders. No racing heart, no shaking, etc. When the physical symptoms were gone, it was much easier to manage the mental side of it. My rating: Try the normal if it’s for things like stage fright, but if it’s a daily occurrence, you may be better off with the extended release. 10/10"

10 / 10
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  • Mrs...
  • October 5, 2018

"After having a few bad presentations where I got major shakes and voice tremors, I decided to give this a go. I seemed to have developed major stage fright somewhere along my career. Due to deliver a presentation to 150 people and use a hand-held mic. This pill is a game-changer. I took 10mg two hours before and then 20mg an hour before my slot. I practiced heavily (I always prepare) and used my kids' karaoke machine to get used to my voice through a mic! I felt calm on the actual morning after the first pill took effect, and I absolutely nailed the presentation. No shakes, not even many nerves, and my mind was focused. I did suffer a bad headache later in the day, and that night's sleep was poor, but it was worth it. I wouldn’t hesitate to use this again ad-hoc when such situations arise. I’m not normally one who leaves reviews, but if this helps just one person with the same problem as me, it’s been worth it."

9 / 10
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238 Report
  • Dys...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • October 16, 2018

"I must say, I am NOT a fan of medication... however, this stuff has been a God-send! I have absolutely crippling anxiety, which makes me feel sick and dizzy and stops me from being able to function. Propranolol seems to totally block these feelings and symptoms. It’s totally remarkable. And I am so grateful."

10 / 10
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234 Report
  • Kek...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 26, 2019

"I’ve had anxiety for a few years now and recently it has been crippling. I’ve been taking propranolol for a week now and I can’t believe how alive I feel. For the first time in years, I feel normal. I’m still a bit anxious first thing in the morning before I take it but after that I’m myself again. Hope it continues to work wonders."

10 / 10
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194 Report
  • Adr...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 11, 2014

"I cannot speak highly enough of this medication. I have had general anxiety for as long as I remember. I have always had a fast heartbeat (a physiological symptom of my anxiety), regularly got palpitations randomly, I often had skipped and missed heartbeats which freaked me out, far more often I believe than the general population. After trying SSRIs and benzos, I asked my doctor for this medicine after doing some research. Well, I cannot believe it, I feel calm, nothing panics me. It is not addictive like other first-line treatments for anxiety. My heart does not race randomly, even the skipped beats I used to get numerous times a day have all but gone. In my opinion, if you have anxiety, this should be the first port of call. It's changed my life."

10 / 10
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287 Report
  • Kat...
  • June 20, 2017

"After years and years of chronic anxiety, having tried citalopram and diazepam and still, I was having major bad all-day-long anxiety, I finally gave in to the propranolol. I was on this years ago but I didn't like it. All I can say is it's absolutely amazing. I'm only needing between 10 and 20mg a day, and honestly, it's a lifesaver. I am the woman who couldn't even take her kids to school without someone being with me, and now I'm off, and I don't panic about every situation anymore. Try it, it's fab xx"

10 / 10
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224 Report
  • Neu...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 28, 2019

"I take this medication for extreme anxiety and autism symptoms. Before I started taking it roughly a year ago, I struggled a lot. I could stay awake for days at a time, wake up from a dead sleep panicking, wake up every 5 minutes, hulk out with sensory overload, fail to interpret what others were saying incorrectly, etc. I had been thrown on many medications since the age of 12 for this. I don't know how I lived without it. My whole life has changed and my relationships with others."

10 / 10
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159 Report
  • car...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • January 13, 2020

"Ok, here we are 3 months later. I've been taking 40mg of propranolol for anxiety, and they worked for the first 2 months, leaving me with fatigue but taking the edge off it, like a horse with blinkers on. Now, I take it and I feel worse with excess sweating and nonsensical thoughts whipping up my anxiety. I am at a loss, the doctor said to increase it, and my thoughts are, where does it end! I personally think I am going to decrease it by biting half the tablet and try something else. It is dreadful. I really do feel for people suffering from anxiety, there is no easy fix. I tend to use alcohol which works but is short-lived and comes with its own payoff. I am stuck. Any advice would be appreciated, thanks."

3 / 10
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  • Nic...
  • February 23, 2021

"My presenting was so bad at work that they actually signed me up for training. Nothing worked because the issue was not related to technique or preparation. I just hated public speaking because of my body's physical reaction to the stress. I took 10mg 1.5 hours before and another 5mg 45 minutes before a big presentation, and I did a great job. My boss also complimented me on how I handled questions. I also took 10mg before a different meeting, and at some point, I said to myself 'I can't wait to go and get this over with.' Typically I would be thinking 'I hope we run out of time or they forget to cover my section.' I plan on taking a maximum of 10-20mg a week, hoping that once I can disassociate stress from speaking, I won't need it any longer."

10 / 10
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  • Blu...
  • February 5, 2016

"It is listed as one of the most important meds in history. It is considered extremely safe and the pharmacist who developed it for heart disease won the Nobel Prize. It has been tested and tested since 1960 and is considered the least side effect med for angina, hypertension, performance anxiety, essential tremors and general outward physical symptoms or anxiety (leg shakes, sweating, etc.) It is one of the best and safest drugs ever designed for moderate anxiety and to prevent heart problems."

9 / 10
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213 Report
  • Ale...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • November 28, 2019

"This med puts a stop to pretty much all of the physical symptoms of my anxiety. I struggle in pretty much all social situations that I deem as a 'performance' - that would be anything from ordering a pizza over the phone or buying a bus ticket to presenting to a class of 100 students. I generally get a very high heart rate and my voice begins to quiver and sound weak, I'll sweat loads and have all the other usual symptoms of anxiety. I've found Propranolol completely erases these effects. Fantastic! One thing I would mention is that you will still feel the mental effects of anxiety, e.g. worrying and fretting before the event that makes you nervous, but having these in your system can assure you that these won't manifest into physical symptoms."

9 / 10
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138 Report
Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.

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