Propranolol for Panic Disorder User Reviews (Page 3)

• Moj...
• February 21, 2016

"Propranolol worked great for me until I was put on the 80 mg slow-release capsules. After 2 months of taking them, I felt like a zombie every morning, and the effect would last all day until late evening. I thought I was going mad and was seen by the mental health team at the hospital, who told me that propranolol can actually cause depression in some people! I gradually reduced the dose, but now my anxiety symptoms have come back, and I have insomnia."

• wiz...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 25, 2024

"I started Propranolol 10 mg tablets not long ago and can tell you it's a game changer. My panic attacks would cause racing heart, which would lead to chest pain and shortness of breath. My average resting heart rate sat in the 80s-90s before this medication. Now it sits around 60-70. It's a difference I can actually feel. The slower heart rate takes some 'getting used to,' but stick with it. It takes effect rather quickly also, about 40 minutes on average, which helps to take it ahead of time if you are going to do something that may cause anxiety. The most common side effects I've noticed are tiredness, cold extremities, and sleep disturbances. I was told this would subside the longer I'm on it. I have medication anxiety and usually give up on stuff that causes unpleasant side effects, but this one has a lot of potential to turn my life around!"

• Lis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 30, 2020

"I originally started taking this tablet, propranolol, for GAD because I was getting a lot of palpitations. The first thing I noticed was that it gave me horrific nightmares night after night, but I persisted, and they eventually went away. After a few weeks, my BP came right down and is now under control."

• RAL...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• October 14, 2021

"I'd like to add my very positive experience with propranolol for long-term anxiety, with no known cause except physical symptoms of sudden left chest tightness and an internal 'racing' feeling that comes and goes (blood pressure and heart rate are normal when this happens). I have tried Zoloft and Lexapro and immediately did not like the side effects. This has been ongoing for 10 months, and doctors (internist, cardiologist, endocrinologist, psychologist) don't have an answer to the cause except for anxiety. Because of the length of time these symptoms have been present, doctors would like me to be on a long-term SSRI/SNRI, but I do not like the idea of being on one of these medications, and the side effects only seem to add to my anxiety. Propranolol (10 mg) as needed works within an hour, and I normally end up taking 2-2 1/2 pills a day. The only other thing that works better is Ativan, but of course, it is addictive and generally not prescribed long term."

• Fis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2021

"I have struggled with anxiety for quite a while. It turned into random panic attacks that had me feeling like I was going to DIE and would ruin me every time it happened. After multiple ER trips and heart monitoring, everything checked out okay. My doc started me on 60 mg of the extended-release propranolol, and it’s helped SO MUCH! Every once in a while I’ll still get a breakthrough panic attack, but it’s mild and doesn’t demolish my day like it used to. In the beginning, I was more tired than usual, but a few weeks in my body got used to it and I don’t even notice it anymore. I definitely recommend!!!"

• TTa...
• March 11, 2018

"I was prescribed 10 mg propranolol for panic disorder. The first dose (5 mg) felt great for 30 minutes as it calmed my heart rate down; however, I began to experience chest tightness and a tight throat. It was like having a panic attack without the racing heart. Horrible."

• Ken...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• November 17, 2022

"After having panic attacks for 27 years, I finally sought help. I take one 20 mg propranolol about 15-30 minutes prior to an anxiety-inducing event (I have anticipatory anxiety). It has been an absolute game changer. No more heart beating out of my chest, tunnel vision, sweaty palms, etc. It calms me down enough without making me sleepy and helps me get through. I only take as needed, maybe a total of 30 pills in a year."

• LSM...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• November 12, 2024

"I had about 4 years ago developed sudden rapid heartbeat, high blood pressure that hit the roof, and anxiety and panic attacks! Never had them all my life and my GP said all this was caused by perimenopause. Took so many meds to treat my fast heartbeat, but none really worked to calm and stop my anxiety and panic attacks. I was in my darkened room lying in my bed, couldn't do any work as even the sound of a bell ringing would set my heart beating too fast and I felt like passing out. Then one day my GP gave me Propranolol, just 5 mg to take 2-3 times a day… Wow, it was like a magic pill! All of those effects went away. Much calmer, happier, more confident, and no more symptoms… till this day ❤️"

• Bra...
• January 30, 2016

"My 15-year-old daughter suffers from severe anxiety and panic attacks, her psychiatrist put her on 10 mg of propranolol once daily as SSRIs weren't helping. The medication worked well and she felt less anxious within a few days. She did feel she needed a slightly higher dose for really high anxiety-provoking situations, however, her doctor didn't want to increase her dose. After 1 month of being on medication, I noticed she was shedding a lot of hair. She immediately stopped taking the medication as I knew this was a 'rare' side effect. Four weeks since she has been off, she is STILL shedding lots of hair and overall lost about 30% of her hair. Pray every day it will stop as it is devastating. Think twice before taking this med."

• Pea...
• May 6, 2017

"I'm only on 5 mg for additional control of cyclic vomiting syndrome along with 125 mg of amitriptyline. The amitriptyline was causing a high heart rate at the current dose. Propranolol has helped bring my heart rate back down to normal, along with helping my anxiety. Unfortunately, I think it would work better if I went up in dosage, but I can't because my blood pressure is getting too low. Side effects I had that went away with time were tiredness, diarrhea, feeling flat on emotions."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 8, 2024

"Certain unpleasant events will trigger a condition I think of as 'slow time'. During these periods, I have quite clear symptoms (albeit... it sometimes takes me a while to recognize them). Time is very slow (not from drug use, which a doctor suspected), sweating, no appetite, and rumination. Propranolol is able to snap me out of this state (which, when unchecked, has lasted for days). It works well with mirtazapine. The mirtazapine helps with sleep and breaking the rumination, but propranolol is key for me."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 26, 2023

"I physically cannot have a panic attack when I take regular propranolol. It's honestly a miracle drug. Unfortunately, it doesn't stop the worrying thoughts, but it does block the physical symptoms of anxiety and panic, which can give you some relief and allow you to try to work on the mental side of things. I take 120 mg a day, which is a high dose, and I do feel side effects like being extremely sluggish, weak, and cold extremities."

• Pat...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 25, 2021

"Propranolol worked great for me! It was just what I needed when I could not manage my panic; however, I could not take this medication because after 5 days of taking it on an as-needed basis, it made my psoriatic arthritis flare up super bad!! So big warning to anyone with psoriatic arthritis as beta-blockers can cause it to flare up severely!! My psychiatrist knew I had this condition and did not warn me beforehand. I felt awful for days and was covered in psoriasis until I looked online and found out propranolol can flare up my autoimmune problems. Such a disappointment as the medication worked pretty well. So warning to anyone with psoriasis/psoriatic arthritis, BE CAREFUL WITH THIS MED."

• CLA...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 24, 2023

"Decided to try a beta-blocker as an alternative to antidepressants. I was given a low dose (10 mg daily) due to low blood pressure. It dampened certain symptoms of a panic attack (racing heart) without removing the underlying anxiety or mental distress. I didn't feel like myself and decided to come off them. The only side effects were mild drowsiness and headache. Obviously, this is only my experience - give it a go and see if it works for you."

• Mik...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 2, 2022

"I tried many SSRIs, SNRIs, in addition to Buspar and Remeron. All had negative side effect profiles as I wasn't depressed. My symptoms were always highly elevated heart rate and trouble breathing. 20 mg of propranolol twice a day has been amazing. Panic attacks are very rare now, and when they occur, the symptoms are much less severe."

• Wan...
• July 25, 2020

"Oh my God! I have never had side effects from meds. Kind of thought I had good genes. Until this drug. I’m trying to come off diazepam, which I have used for too long, alas, for severe panic and anxiety attacks. My doctor gave me this drug, propranolol, and after three days, I was in such a dark place. Kept waking up early in tears. Calf muscles felt like soap bubbles. Life didn't seem worth it anymore. Called the doctor. He took me off them. Wow! Never again. But a shame as this seems a good drug for a lot of people."

• NIN...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2015

"I always had panic attacks. I'm now 43, and Klonopin wasn't really working anymore. The propranolol works great. I recommend this medication, it saved my life."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• September 24, 2014

"Great medicine for panic attacks, no anxiety and body symptoms after taking it."

• All...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• August 23, 2017

"Works better than Xanax in my experience."

• tma...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• December 5, 2023

"I use this medication for my panic attacks. It always helps me to calm down after a few minutes. My panic attacks have started to happen less and I am very glad about that."

• Anonymous
• April 8, 2017

"I am so glad my doctor prescribed this for my severe anxiety and panic disorder. Finally, some peace in my life."

• Anonymous
• March 13, 2012

"Have tried other medications, such as tricyclic antidepressants. Propranolol helped the most. Without it, there is an uncomfortable feeling."

• man...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• September 10, 2020

"I take when needed for panic disorder, but it does not stop my shaking and tremors, mainly when I get anxious. I take to help, yet I can't walk properly when panic sets in. I'm jelly, and I'm ashamed."

• Aly...
• September 24, 2015

"Doesn't work at all. I have major panic disorder, and I've tried everything except Xanax and Valium, and I can say that this medicine surely does nothing in my case."

• Tas...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2023

"Life-changing. Feel amazing after just a couple of weeks."