Propranolol and Insomnia: What Users Say (Page 2)

• Lou...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 28, 2018

For Anxiety "Only been on this medication for one week and already feel a lot more calm, taking for anxiety, manic bouts of anger/frustration, and overthinking. Feel so much calmer already, and certain situations that would usually provoke my anger I don’t even feel bothered about. Only downside is when I took 2 pills a day I had really bad insomnia, so have lessened the dosage to 1 pill."

• Pat...
• December 7, 2015

For Anxiety "I have had an anxiety disorder and panic attacks for about 35 years. Prior to the medication, the best medications were the benzodiazepines, but I have a high tolerance to them now. This has been very helpful-no pounding heart, no headache, no feelings of dizziness, and that I am going crazy. Not sure yet if this medication is causing weight gain-too early for me to tell. I do have a little insomnia, but overall I feel 100% better."

• Eza...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 29, 2019

For Anxiety "I was prescribed 80 mg of propranolol for anxiety and headaches and saw no effect for around 3 weeks. After this, I started experiencing chest pain, my heart skipping a beat, beating too slow, calf pain, cold hands and feet, feeling breathless, and having sleep disturbances. I have now asked my doctor to lower the dose, so I start 40 mg today, I just want to be off this medication, and I wish I never started it in the first place. I would not recommend this drug."

• All...
• September 22, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I started this drug last night. I had a very sore chest, a bit of trouble breathing, and trouble sleeping. Today, I am very tired and have no energy. I only took 10 mg. Has anyone else had this problem?"

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

For Panic Disorder "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!"

• Moj...
• February 21, 2016

For Panic Disorder "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."

• Jaw...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• April 24, 2016

For Benign Essential Tremor "So I started off taking this medication for 3 weeks. And I thought it would be great. I have essential tremors, hypertension, and my cardiologist was waiting for a few test results before confirming tachycardia. While blood pressure and heart rate are significantly improved. Went from 133 bpm to 84 and 155/95 to 134/75, the tremors haven't stopped. Not to mention the side effects for me: increased depression, insomnia, dizziness, and nightmares."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• December 8, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I have been suffering from migraines since the age of 10 (I'm now 18). I used to get at least 4 migraines a week with severe vomiting and couldn't move out of bed until the next day. I have tried lots of tablets; pizotifen, atenolol are just a few. I began propranolol 2 months ago, starting at 60 mg. I was still getting a migraine a week, but no vomiting, and constant eye pain all day, every day. Also suffering from poor circulation, severe dry mouth, and being unable to sleep at night. The doctor has now put me on 160 mg once a day and haven't had a migraine since, although still struggling with the side effects! And I've now been referred to a migraine specialist, which will hopefully give me an answer as to why I'm getting them. Would definitely recommend!"

• bec...
• October 1, 2016

Propranolol for Benign Essential Tremor "At first, it was wonderful. The tremors stopped within 24 hours. The dose was 60 mg in a capsule. After 2 weeks, nasty side effects started happening. First was vomiting and diarrhea. Then anxiety, nervousness, trouble sleeping, difficulty talking, and poor memory and concentration. Two days ago, my doctor reduced the dose to 40 mg/day. I still feel miserable but will try the lower dose for another few days. Can you give me any advice? Would there be a problem with just stopping the medication? I also take Prozac daily."

• Pre...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 17, 2016

For Performance Anxiety "I had two very different experiences with propranolol. After a long break from work after having a baby, I needed propranolol to start all the interview process, etc. After taking it every day (40 mg twice a day), I developed terrible insomnia. Then I found myself in a nightmare taking something to calm me down in the daytime and not having any sleep at all at night because of it. So I was prescribed sleeping pills. I managed to stop it all after a few months and took nothing for years. I started feeling a bit anxious once again and started propranolol a couple of weeks ago. I realized that if you take it in small doses, only when needed, it's actually fine. Just before speeches, interviews, 10 mg up to 20 mg. No insomnia! Good luck."

• 996...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2023

Propranolol for Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Inderal around 7-8 years ago due to a persistent migraine aura following an allergic reaction treated with steroids. Recently, I was guided by a medical professional to wean off it about three months ago. In hindsight, I regret starting the medication in the first place. I believe that taking Inderal triggered asthma symptoms that have worsened over the years, which my healthcare provider didn't realize was not suitable for someone with asthma. Additionally, it disrupted my sleep and caused insomnia, leading me to take medication for years. I became weak, tired, and short of breath while running, which was a favorite activity of mine, and I eventually had to stop running altogether. Now, after being off Inderal, I have developed hypertension that has persisted for three months despite not having a history of it in my family. I believe this medication should not be prescribed for migraines or anxiety due to the long-term effects I've experienced."

• JB1...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 7, 2021

For Migraine Prevention "I had a particularly unpleasant experience with propranolol. I had issues with dry eyes, dry skin, insomnia, anxiety, and my menstrual cycle stopped. I came off propranolol (transitioned onto another migraine preventative), and the above issues went away. It did help decrease the migraine frequency, however, when comparing its efficacy vs. side effects, it wasn't worth it for me. I personally wouldn't recommend this drug when I've had positive outcomes from other medications without these side effects."

• Anonymous
• October 22, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "So far, so good... thrilled to be feeling human again. Only one migraine in the past month vs. the nasty 3-4/week minimum that were taking over my life. Side effects: first couple days, blood pressure and pulse dropped too low, but have normalized to normal-low range. Now insomnia and nightmares are the biggest problems. I read that propranolol reduces melatonin production, am hopeful taking a small 1/2-1 mg dose a couple of hours before bed will help. Note: I don't recommend taking any more than this! A few months ago, I couldn't figure out why I was so tired--my mom suggested I stop taking the 3 mg I had been taking right before bed--magically, I was no longer falling asleep at work."

• Far...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2022

For Anxiety "I have tachycardia due to an overly active sympathetic system. My psychiatrist thought that I just have a very 'irritable' nervous system that gives me tachycardia and IBS. So he put me on propranolol, saying that beta-blockers do a great job at blocking the effects of adrenaline. I benefited from propranolol since the first day, I took 20 mg 3 times a day, and my heart rate returned to the 80s instead of the 110s. But three weeks later, I started to feel very lethargic and nauseous, and most of all, I started to feel depressed and had suicidal ideations that I never had in my life. I stopped the medication immediately, and the symptoms resolved quickly in three days. Later, I discovered that it's usually the morning dose that gives me the side effects, so now I take 20 mg at noon and 10 mg before dinner (it also gives me insomnia if I take more than 10 mg at night). I experience very few side effects. Propranolol is very effective, but you have to find the right dose and listen to your body."

• Mad...
• November 18, 2018

For Anxiety "I took it, and it is horrible. I could not sleep at all, even with 2 mg Valium and sleeping pills prescribed by the doctor. It made me worse, and my blood pressure went higher than usual. Now I did not sleep and have to go to work. I told my doctor that 2 mg of Valium was not helping with my anxiety, so she gave me this medication. Omg, I have had her as a doctor for 2 years. I asked her if she could just give me a high dosage of Valium. To control my panic attacks, she said I would get addicted. I'm 46 years old, taking 2 milligrams of diazepam, and it is not working. Propranolol is the worst thing I ever had. It even gave me a headache. I'm up just like it every day. The daytime, horrible."

• Mem...
• June 12, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "I told myself I would post a review once I tried this medication when I knew I would be presenting. So the day of, I took 10 mg in the morning, 10 mg an hour before the presentation, and another 10 mg 20 mins before. I am 5'0 and weigh about 108 lbs. It did make me a bit dizzy, slightly, but not enough to let me lose my train of thought. My eyes felt a little heavy too. It may be that the dosage was too much for me, but I was so worried it would not work if I did not take enough. Anyway, when it comes my turn to speak, I felt I was nervous, but I did not have any of my usual tremors, shaky voice, thwarting eye movement, or fight or flight response. It was manageable, and I was able to speak through what I had to say. I did not give a perfect presentation, but my physiology not attacking me was more than enough to make me feel that I did!!! I was not humiliated as I would normally feel. I did have insomnia after and am not sure if it is the drug or I was so excited that I got through that ordeal."

• Oki...
• January 23, 2014

Propranolol for Ventricular Tachycardia "Doc prescribed this medication to control my high heart rate after a 3-day hospitalization due to supraventricular tachycardia. I had horrible side effects. Terrible insomnia, sometimes awake for 24 hours. Palpitations. Heavy congested feeling in chest. Anxiety. I was only on it for 10 days! Switched to metoprolol, and after 2 days started to feel tons better!!!"

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• October 3, 2024

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I used this for several years. Of the three medications I used, it had the mildest side effects. They were: constipation, runny nose, peripheral edema, and insomnia. Of these, insomnia was the worst, followed by runny nose and constipation. The edema was mild compared to Verapamil, which gave me severe edema. I had to take 50 mg/day before my tachy came under control. Even then, control tended to be intermittent. Some days good, some days poor. The difficulty was I had to take 10 mg five times a day. If I missed a dose (not uncommon), I would have a tachy attack."

• Can...
• October 9, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "Useful and surprisingly effective to manage the physical manifestations of performance anxiety (in my case, public speaking, which includes any formal time when I'm asked to speak to a group - I'm fine if I am simply participating in a volunteer capacity in a discussion - just that I get irrationally worried when I'm told ahead of time that I need to present, participate, lead a discussion, etc.). In such cases, I'll lose sleep, be stressed, anxious, worried, and debilitated. Well beyond normal jitters. This medication really helps keep the body calm. Have used it about 3 times in the past few months. Only thing I wish is that it would calm the pre-presenting worries, which still persist. Hoping that over time, with enough events without physical manifestations, the pre-speaking jitters and worry will subside."

• jac...
• October 9, 2011

For Migraine Prevention "I took it for 2 weeks, then cut off cold turkey as lack of sleep and extreme irritability. I never had these two issues prior to usage. Even if I were to taper off, my hope was to get it out of my system as quickly as possible. I would rather have tremors and headaches than be so uptight that even my chest shakes."

• Jul...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 28, 2020

For Thyrotoxicosis "3 weeks on it now, almost back to normal. Few side effects, mainly insomnia. I fall asleep but don't stay asleep for as long as I should. Bit feeling a lot better compared to three weeks ago when I was hospitalized. I do have to be on meds lifelong, also, I take PTU for thyroid."

• NCa...
• June 22, 2018

For Performance Anxiety "I've had a debilitating fear of public speaking my whole life, and it has affected my career. I resigned from two jobs because I feared having to present. Every time I've had to present, it's been a nightmare and so humiliating to the point where I've had terrible panic attacks. What started as a fear of presenting has evolved into anxiety from conference calls, leaving voicemails, meetings with 2 or 3 people, interviews, etc. I'm female, weighing 51 kg, and was prescribed 40 mg. I took it 1 hour before an interview, and it was too strong for me. I felt like I had been tranquilized (very slow and spaced out). I had to really make an effort to concentrate. It worked though! I was still nervous, but the physical symptoms were gone, which made me feel calm. While this drug is life-changing, it's not without side effects. I've had headaches, dry mouth, lack of concentration, insomnia, and shallow breathing. These side effects aren't enough to keep me from using it though. It really is a miracle drug!"

• Mbd...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 7, 2015

Propranolol for Migraine Prevention "Took Inderal LA for a very short time. In the time I was on it, I never had a migraine, unfortunately, on average, I could sleep 7-8 hours a night, but being on this medication, I was lucky to get 4."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 26, 2023

For Panic Disorder "I find this medication effective for my panic disorder, it helps me feel calm. I have heard it can cause insomnia, but I have not experienced that so far."