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Dr. Bob is Robert Hsiung, MD,
bob@dr-bob.orgShown: posts 1 to 8 of 8. This is the beginning of the thread.
Posted by Impermanence on January 15, 2005, at 14:18:47
Has anyone used this drug or any other beta blocker for anxiety? If so, how was it for you, side effects ect? Is it as effective as benzodiazepines?
Posted by ed_uk on January 15, 2005, at 14:30:40
In reply to Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety??, posted by Impermanence on January 15, 2005, at 14:18:47
Hi,
Yes, I've tried Inderal a few time, it was totally ineffective at all doses. Side effects included dry eyes and fatigue. Benzos are generally more effective.
Inderal can be useful for anxiety sufferers whose main symptoms include racing heart, tremor and palpitations ie. not me! Most of the other symptoms of anxiety are not usually responsive to propranolol.
Regards,
Ed.
Posted by Impermanence on January 15, 2005, at 14:49:58
In reply to Re: Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety??, posted by ed_uk on January 15, 2005, at 14:30:40
Thanks Ed, I don't usually get a racing heart, tremors or palpitations so I guess they wont be very effective. My sister used to take Inderal for hyperthyroidism and I noticed her old (she's not taking them anymore) prescription in the press. I'm not going to take any benzos tonight and try 80mgs of Inderal and see how it compares.
I'll post my results tomorrow if anyone wants to know.
Posted by ed_uk on January 15, 2005, at 14:53:24
In reply to Re: Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety?? » ed_uk, posted by Impermanence on January 15, 2005, at 14:49:58
Hi,
Good luck!
>I'll post my results tomorrow if anyone wants to know.
Yes, please do.
Ed.
Posted by Racer on January 16, 2005, at 14:29:32
In reply to Re: Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety?? » Impermanence, posted by ed_uk on January 15, 2005, at 14:53:24
I was taking 10mg BID for anxiety, and it was an absolute wonder drug for me! Stopped it because of amotivation and lethargy, but while I was on it it was great.
My anxiety tends to be the physical sort, not mental. I don't get caught up in ruts of thinking of scary things, and usually don't even recognize how tense I am until something happens to make me aware of it. Yes, the propranalol is mostly going to target physical symptoms, not mental or emotional, but it was great for me.
I don't know why you'd think of taking 80mg, though. And I strongly urge you NOT to take it until you talk to your doctor. Aside from the anxiolytic properties, it can interact with ADs, slow your heart rate, lower your blood pressure -- and lead to rebound hypertension that can cause strokes. This is not candy, it's a very serious drug. Talk to your doctor before taking it -- or anything else -- and don't think that more is better or that you can choose your own dose. 10mg is about the average dose used for anxiety, and even that requires tapering down when you stop it. 80mg is just asking for much worse trouble than you've got now.
Posted by sdb on January 17, 2005, at 8:12:02
In reply to Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety??, posted by Impermanence on January 15, 2005, at 14:18:47
Propranolol: effective but tiredness, lethargie and betareceptor upregulation (less effective with time)
Oxprenolol (Slow version): very effective, because of ISA betareceptor downregulation, can cause sexual sideeffects
Pindolol: very effective and because of ISA no beta upregulation but sexual sideeffects, headache
Nadolol: very effective but tiredness, sexualsideffects
Bopindolol (not available in USA): very effective, elevate HDL, but some headache and some sexual sideeffects
Atenolol: less effective, unfortunately betareceptor upregulation, elevates LDLNot effective are primarely the beta1-selective.
The beta1-selective block mainly the noradrenaline of nervi cardiaci. The beta1-selective blocks the exercise tachycardia but less the tachycardia caused by isoprenaline or in anxiety situations the adrenaline released from adrenal medulla. There are many beta1-receptors on heart but there are also many beta2-receptors so the nonselective are more effective.Effective means it can reduce contractility force of heart and heart rate. Perhaps it helps against trembling. But it does not mean that you have less anxiety.
Unfortunately the effective unselective betablockers have more sideeffects because there are many beta2 receptors on other organs and the cardiovascular system.
Posted by caleb96 on January 17, 2005, at 19:59:52
In reply to Re: Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety??, posted by sdb on January 17, 2005, at 8:12:02
The beta-blockers are great for stage fright. The're use is endemic among concert musicians because they quench the fight-or-flight syndrome without affecting motor skills. I remember about ten years ago I had to play a Mozart concerto (the piano arrangement) before a large audience. I had recently been put on atenolol for borderline high blood pressure. I took 200 mg of atenolol (4X my prescribed dose) about 1 1/2 hours prior to my turn to perform. I felt very mellow, but clear-thinking and with good motor skills as I practiced. Well, everything went well--I did flub one part but quickly recovered.
My LDL is 90 (very good) after 12 years on atenolol. I can't say much for Inderal because it's been replaced by so many beta blockers. I can tell you that beta blockers will only help your anxiety initially; after you've been taking them a while, your body gets tolerant to them. You won't get the adrenaline rush, but you'll still have just as intense anxiety as before.
Beta blockers are great for "situational anxiety" but won't provide much relief for long-term anxiety. I think the benzodiazepines are best for serious, debilitating anxiety. And I think the long-acting (Valium, Klonopin) are more helpful than the short-acting ones (alprazolam, atavan). Also, some of the antidepressants are good at relieving anxiety--I found Effexor particularly effective, although I no longer take it.
Love and sanity,
Caleb
Posted by sdb on January 21, 2005, at 5:20:52
In reply to Re: Inderal (propranolol hydrochloride) for anxiety??, posted by caleb96 on January 17, 2005, at 19:59:52
you have taken a huge dosage of atenolol. atenolol is not a very selective beta1-blocker. And in huge amounts it blocks also beta2-receptors. Normally 50mg-100mg is recommended for performance anxiety. You have a LDL of 90? Maybe you exercise a lot or you a healthy meal habits. But every body is different. It is absolutely possilbe that you have a good (low) LDL.
By the way, does somebody have good results with Concor (Bisoprolol) in panic, perfomance anxiety?
> The beta-blockers are great for stage fright. The're use is endemic among concert musicians because they quench the fight-or-flight syndrome without affecting motor skills. I remember about ten years ago I had to play a Mozart concerto (the piano arrangement) before a large audience. I had recently been put on atenolol for borderline high blood pressure. I took 200 mg of atenolol (4X my prescribed dose) about 1 1/2 hours prior to my turn to perform. I felt very mellow, but clear-thinking and with good motor skills as I practiced. Well, everything went well--I did flub one part but quickly recovered.
>
> My LDL is 90 (very good) after 12 years on atenolol. I can't say much for Inderal because it's been replaced by so many beta blockers. I can tell you that beta blockers will only help your anxiety initially; after you've been taking them a while, your body gets tolerant to them. You won't get the adrenaline rush, but you'll still have just as intense anxiety as before.
>
> Beta blockers are great for "situational anxiety" but won't provide much relief for long-term anxiety. I think the benzodiazepines are best for serious, debilitating anxiety. And I think the long-acting (Valium, Klonopin) are more helpful than the short-acting ones (alprazolam, atavan). Also, some of the antidepressants are good at relieving anxiety--I found Effexor particularly effective, although I no longer take it.
>
> Love and sanity,
>
> Caleb
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