I was prescribed Inderal, about 10mgs, many years ago for blood pressure and noticed how well it worked in keeping my anxiety in check but what I have found is that only a couple of the brands made me feel comfortable, Inderal itself (by Wyeth Pharmaceutical) and propranolol by Northstar; and now both of these manufacturers have discontinued making propranolol. I have tried several other brands but I don't feel well when I take them. Each one causes different side effects and some don't seem to stop the anxiety; Is anyone else having a similar problem with this? Any suggestions on how to find a brand comparable to the ones that I felt good taking? Any suggestions are appreciated. Thanks!
Is there anyone who feels like some brands of propranolol are effective and aren't?
Question posted by Customer2009 on 21 Feb 2015
Last updated on 29 March 2021 by Trallyn
15 Answers
Trallyn
29 March 2021
Well 26 yrs is a long time to be on those kinds of meds. My advice is talk to your doctor and they can help find ways to maybe taper you off those kinds of meds to maybe suggest a safer one. You're gonna always be in search of them because your body has build up a tolerance. Please keep in mind what it can do to you internally. Talk with your doctor.
awordor3
28 March 2021
I have taken both Inderal LA brand and it's generic propranolol for 26 years (essential tremor). I have found a discernible performance difference between generic vs brand with this drug on many levels i.e. fatigue lightheadedness, period of effectiveness, BP etc. For myself, Inderal brand unquestionably out-performs many of the generic formulations. Additionally, manufacturers (mfg's) do not necessarily produce "process" their drugs in the same way (generic vs brand) due to "process" IP.
Alphabravo33
15 April 2020
I’ve only had two different brands, heritage and Impax. I think the Impax ones are better based on my limited time taking them. Although I’m also on a lower dose, when I was splitting the heritage ones down, I still had more side effects. It’s not scientific by any means but when you take something everyday you definitely can tell whether or not any changes of what you’re taking have a different effect on you. I hope this adds to the conversation. Good luck to you!
MissTBones
13 April 2020
I’m in the U.K. and I take propranolol 40mg once per day for anxiety, fast heart beat. I’ve only been taking it for 6 months and every time I get a repeat prescription I get a new set of side effects ranging from painful muscles, depression, worse anxiety, exhaustion etc. I have had one prescription where I thought it wasn’t working for the first day and the next day I felt like myself again. Back to being me, not damped and squashed down with medication. I’m going to my drs today to bring the packaging from those tablets to see if they can identify which brand it was and get that in future. The brand was not on the packet as my nhs dr surgery repackage the tablets so they look generic. I am hoping and praying they can give me a brand that suits me or I don’t know what I’m going to do. I’m stuck between depression on some tablets and fast heart rate on nothing. Both life threatening. I will update of I find out which brand suits me.
Jewelia
12 May 2019
I have found a common theme in all these generics propranolol 20 mgs.
The ones people seem to tolerate well are Teva (Pliva) and Heritage. One common ingredient they DO NOT have is croscarmellose sodium (used as a superdisintegrant)... how the pill breaks down in your system. All the other available generics have this ingredient. This ingredient seems to affect how our bodies metabolize propranolol... and it seems to render the drug as fairly ineffective.
This will be a huge problem for many of us. I’ve been able to find Teva brand, but I’m on the last week of it. I took Heritage generic brand for a while until I found TEVA again. They seemed to work ok. I found some TEVA at CVS, but they’ve exhausted their supply. I use it for my POTS (postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome). The main symptoms is tachycardia and adrenaline surges... and I have no idea how I’m going to do this.
This symptom is intolerable, and must be treated with the proper beta blocker. I used to take brand name inderal tablets 20mgs, and they don’t make those now. Impax, Activist, and Qualitest seem to be available here, BUT they all have croscarmellose sodium as an inactive ingredient. This ingredient needs to be removed from these generic beta blockers. It’s affecting how it’s metabolized, and possibly affects the half life of the drug. This seems to be the common denominator here.
I remember in 2010 they gave me Watson or something, and I had irregular heart rates, and my POTS was acting up badly... I had to use a power chair or scooter inside stores. I was not doing well. TEVA was still available back then, and I went back on that, but had to specify at the pharmacy. It’s just no longer made now!!!
It’s the croscarmellose sodium... I know this is the ingredient we’re all having problems with! I just know it!
Blue Wave
25 Feb 2019
This is interesting- I’ve been taking propranolol for arrhythmia for over a decade, and recently started feeling like it wasn’t working... yesterday I walked 14 miles and climbed a mountain, something I can normally do with no problem, and I felt like my heart was racing and uneven, even though I took the normal amount... this made me think about why it might be, and I realise they’ve changed the manufacturer, and this is possibly why. I wish I could remember who made the stuff I was on for so long... going to find out and see if I can get back onto it and feel ok again!
Customer2009
8 March 2019
Good luck if it was Qualitest! I was advised by Express Scripts that it is not available. The one I am trying as of today is by Impax (D.A.N). Not sure how my body will react to it after a couple of days. Please share any information that you learn.
carole316walnut
13 Feb 2019
hello there! Yes I have had the same problem because I took Propranolol for anxiety and palpations for over 35 yrs. I took propranolol made by Pliva and the number was 467 but the manufacturers sold it to different companies and they weren't nice enough to put the same inactive ingredients in the darn pill. I doubled checked because I was then given DAN5554 made by Teva and took that one for 6 weeks having stomach problems which finally led to an endoscopic thanks to these miserable manufacturers. The pill I originally took after the manufacturers sold Inderal to companies who then called it propranolol was 6mm in size and now all the pills for propranolol are 7mm adding a lot of inactive ingredients. My dr. then prescribed Bystolic for me and also told me that propranolol had something in it that effected the brain and I guess I need that because I need something for the anxiety part.
Obviously this Bystolic keeps the racing heart to slow down but does nothing for the relaxing part which I am now experiencing a racing feeling. I reported this to the FDA and they said that more reports should be filed. I also reported this to Teva who makes the miserable drug (DAN5554) which I had a problem with. I have read on MedsChat other women who have had a problem with originally taking the Pliva 467 for years and now they cannot get a propranolol that helps them. Look on MedsChat and you can also see this. One woman said she got propranolol from Heritage and it felt as if it was like the one Pliva made. Please report it to the manufacturers and the FDA because the more reports the more they would look into this problem of the inactive ingredients not being approved by the FDA only the main ingredient has to be approved.
May I ask what propranolol you have tried that didn't work for you and the manufacturer.
Inactive
28 Jan 2018
I have just experienced this problem. My new pills are smaller and come from Heritage. They didn't work at all, and I have been in bad shape for several weeks until I realized they weren't working. FYI, I take 20mg Propranolol for anxiety and hand tremors. I checked with my pharmacy at King Soopers/City Market, and they said my previous pills were from Watson. They had only 9 left in that bottle and gave them to me, but kept saying "they're the same regardless of who makes them." Well, I took the Watson pills yesterday, and feel like a new person - they worked and the Heritage ones didn't. I called around and King Soopers/City Market and Target don't carry Watson, but I called Walgreens and they do carry Watson propranolol. So I am going to have my prescription called into Walgreens and get some. They should work, but if I find any issues, I will report back.
Another thing that may be of interest to others is that there is a difference in inert ingredients in these manufacturers. There is a website call "druginserts.com" which lists the inert ingredients for each manufacturer by drug name. If you are having issues, that may help you figure it out. I checked and the Heritage ones have a fairly different list of inert ingredients than Watson. Anyway, for everyone out there, keep checking out stuff, and talk to other pharmacies/pharmacists. The Walgreens pharmacy tech said that they hear this sort of thing all the time, and they take it seriously. King Soopers/City Market didn't, and I will let them know that it was not a professional way to treat someone, especially someone who is suffering a health problem.
Customer2009
29 Jan 2018
I appreciate your post. Regarding inert ingredients I would love to find out if there is an inert ingredient in the propranolol causing me to itch badly. I took 20 mgs of inderal and then
Customer2009
29 Jan 2018
I appreciate your post. Regarding inert ingredients I would love to find out if there is an ingredient in the propranolol tablets causing me to itch badly. I took inderal/propranolol 20 mg and then down to 20 mgs for about 40 years with no itching; then back a few years ago i began itching ro the point of burning. It doesn't seem to matter which brand. Ihave even reduced it to 5mgs to reduce the itching, which does help; but 5mgs is not enough so my pressure's been up. Doctor can't suggest a solution. If anyone has a similar problem and found a solution please advise. Thanks!
Customer2009
29 Jan 2018
From my last post; 20 mgs down to 10mgs
donnarhowell
8 Sep 2018
Thank all of you for your comments!
This is exactly what has happened to me with propranolol.
My new are bigger than the old ones.
I will check out all of the suggestions.
Thanks Again!
pebbles3sandi
2 Dec 2017
I was just switched to a new manufacturer of the exact same dosage propranolol and the pills are not the same shape even, so they are not just repackaged from the same manufacturer. Manufacturer changed. I take this for svt and arrhythmia and they feel like half the dosage of the exact same pill as the other manufacturer. There is definitely something different with the pills. My heart rate is back up where it was before my last dosage increase, overnight- the same day I started the bottle from the new manufacturer...
Colorado4040
13 Nov 2017
Very informative post. As someone who has taken propranolol for 15 yrs, I'd like to add few clarifications and will help others searching for the right generic to take.
Before I start off in the third paragraph below, let me just say I have taken Watson brand "DAN" for most of the 15 yrs I was on it, over time I developed fluid accumulation in my legs and fatigue. Worked well! I stopped taking it for 3yrs; went without medication. However, due to severity in migraine, I had since gone back on it but now on Qualitest "PAR". I can't say anything with respect to side effect since I'm still fairly new on it; only a week. Will monitor and update you guys.
On the generic brands, most of these generics don't carry the name of the parent manufacturer in actual sense, however the actual manufacturer on the medication may be owned by the parent manufacturers stated. Examples: Watson/Actavis owns Danbury, an Indian company which manufactures generic propranolol. This you can identify by the word "DAN" carved on the tablet. Also IMPAX is essentially same as Danbury; they recently acquired some part of Watson's holding, and propranolol happens to be one of them, so you may now see IMPAX and not Watson/Actavis.
Now for Qualitest, the name of the actual manufacturer is PAR Pharmaceuticals, a merger group with Qualitest, though Qualitest controls most of the decisions.
Customer2009
8 March 2019
Seems like things keep changing with these companies. I have been getting the Qualitest through Express Scripts and was recently advised that it is no longer available. Have you got any other information? Impax seems to be the only brand they carry now.
Glorythief
22 May 2017
I've been taking propranolol since 2014 for anxiety. I recently ran out of the insane stock pile I had of it, so I had my new psychiatrist write me a new prescription. As soon as I got the new ones I noticed they looked different from my old ones. But the passed two weeks that I've been taking them for situational anxiety they haven't helped at all. So I just got around to looking these things up, because my anxiety is violently out of control. My old ones come from Watson Labs and worked worked wonders. These new ones from Qualitest haven't done a damned thing to help.
Customer2009
22 May 2017
So interesting that you like Watson and for me, of all the brands i have tried, Watson makes me feel awful. I have learned recently that there is a new brand of propranolol that one of the Walgreens is carrying by a company called Impax. I tried it one time and it seems to be ok for me although it is necessary to take it for several days to know for sure how you feel. Hope that infromation is useful for someone.
downhiller76
6 Aug 2017
Same here, I had been on Watson and it worked wonders for migraines and blood pressure. I was given Heritage a few days ago, and I am dizzy, anxious, have a migraine now and my BP is up. I have been calling all over town trying to find Watson. Generics are NOT the same, I have the same issue with prednisone suppliers. I hope you can get back on Watson.
nygiants
15 Oct 2017
I feel your pain. The qualitest version is a piece of crap. I tried it this morning 20mgs this morning and I felt very fatigue & sleepy. I used to be on propranolol er 60mgs the upsher smith version & I had no serious side effects except for impotence. Then my doc prescribed the tablets because upsher smith discontinued the er version. I tried actavis & rouses point & l felt like a vegetable. Breckenridge is good but gave me too many headaches. I heard the heritage tablets are good but I was scared to try them because I don't know anything about them. If the qualitest version doesn't get any better im getting off of them for tremors, panic attacks & social phobia. I hope you get on the right propranolol or try something different.
Customer2009
16 Oct 2017
You may have already solved your problem but if not, Wal-Mart has carried the Watson brand for many years. You could also enroll in Express Scripts to order by mail and ask for the Watson brand. Your doctor would need to tell them to only fill Watson for you.
Customer2009
16 Oct 2017
You may have already solved your problem but if not, Wal-Mart has carried the Watson brand for many years. You could also enroll in Express Scripts to order by mail and ask for the Watson brand. Your doctor would need to tell them to only fill Watson for you.
Swimsmommy
11 May 2017
My daughter has been on Propranolol ER 60 mg (manufacturer: Breckenridge) for 21 days now, for the prevention of near-daily migraines. Good news: she has not had a single migraine since she started it! Amen! She claims she can no loger feel the weather change (was always a trigger), doesn't hear her head pounding all the time (who knew?), etc. Her smile is back. Basically a miracle drug. Except...
Bad news: she is suffering multiple awful side effects: vomiting, extreme nausea that wakes her up at night, dizziness when changing position, extreme dizziness when she does flip turns in pool (she is a highly competitive year round, high school swimmer), hearing reduction. She is a she says she doesn't care - so long as it fixes her migraines. However she is missing school and after school activities now because of the side effects.
I like the idea of trying another manufacturer. Have a couple questions:
1) has anyone tried Actavis brand propranolol? Er? Were the side effects any better/ worse for you?
2) has anyone started on extended release with success for their condition, and then for whatever reason had to switch to immediate release? Did effectiveness of the medication change with the ER to IR change?
Actavis is apparently the only other manufacturer of Propranolol ER according to my pharmacist. So if that fails, we may be moving to a 2x/day Qualtest IR dosage.
Thoughts?
Richens1
30 Aug 2017
That is the only brand that will work for my migraines with no side effects take 3 times a day 80 mg
ArleneFKT
21 July 2015
By federal law in the US generics must have the same medication as the name brand. Maybe it's the filler ingredients you're having a problem with... those are not always the same. But the actual medication itself is supposed to be the same. In fact, sometimes companies that market generics don't even mess with making their own product, they just buy the stuff from the original company and stick it in their own container! (I used to work in a billing office for a pharmaceutical company.)
Customer2009
22 July 2015
Yes, I am aware that by law the generics are to have the same medications in them but the fillers apparently have a big impact on how one feels. It is so frustrating that many of the companies stop making the brands I feel good taking. I have some concern that the only brand that I feel is effective may not be available in the future and even it has unpleasant side effects. Thanks!
Writemindedlefty
12 May 2019
This is not completely true. They are given a leeway of 80% to 125% of bioequivalency of the active ingredient. Which is why some do better on one generic vs. another.
shazza1411
20 July 2015
Hi
I have had the same problem. Was on the same brand made by Sandoz for 15 years and they discontinued them in October last year, I was great with them, very little side effects but tried 5 different brands since all of which have had different side effects, throat swelling,awful muscle pain,sweating,water retention,headaches... horrendous and I have to take them for life because of Wolf Parkinson... the latest ones are giving me muscle spasms in my head and legs so fed up of feeling worse from the tablets and trying to persuade doctors and chemists its the brand of tablets that's the problem... are the brands you've mentioned available in the UK ? So glad to know its not just me
Customer2009
21 July 2015
I know the frustration of having to settle on a medication that doesn't do what it needs to do. I do not know if Qualitest is available in the UK but it seems to be the only brand in my city that I can tolerate.
EbonyJane96
23 Feb 2015
Hi, I don't know if were on the same page here but I think you mean always propanalol just different brands? If so I have suffered with anxiety for a couple of years and at first the tablets were helping then one day they gave me a different looking box and they didn't work but I carried on taking them I was on 4 a day. I got to the point where I stopped taking them because there was no point? I still have anxiety but have to take enough medication as it is lol.. Sorry if I got the wrong end of the stick xx
Customer2009
24 Feb 2015
Thanks EbonyJane96 for responding to my question. I think I found a brand that I feel good about taking. What I was trying to explain is that some of the propranolol does not seem to stop the anxiety very well. You should check to see who manufactures your brand. You may need to try another brand. Your prescription bottle will show the name of the company that makes your propranolol. If your propranolol does not help
your anxiety you may want to try a brand because they can all make you feel different. Consider a brand made by Qualitest; both Publix and Target pharmacies carry it. If you want to change your brand you just need to call the pharmacy that has the brand that you want and they will take care of it for you. Best wishes!
bleerealty
12 Aug 2015
I am so excited to have found this conversation. I have been on the brand name Inderal for 30 years and it controls the bouts of tachycardia and anxiety that I use to have. Then the price went sky high, but I couldn't get myself to try the generic. Finally I gave it a try, and on the fifth day, I had an episode of rabid heartbeat and panic attack. I immediately went back to the name brand and all was fine. I was so disappointed. Prices have gone to $1600 for 90 capsules and I have been panicking on changing again. And I was wondering if just maybe a different manufacturer of the generic, might work. Now you have me so encouraged. I plan to try Qualitest. I am so hopeful after seeing your post! Thank you.
Customer2009
12 Aug 2015
Hi Beerealty
I hope the Qualitest works for you. In a way it is more effective that Inderal was. The worse side effect for me is that is causes itching which is very annoying. If I could find a solution to that I would relieved. Post a comment on how you are doing if you decide to try Qualitest. Hope it goes well. If it makes you sleepy for the first few days give it a couple of days more and you should be fine. You may not be as comfortable with it as you are with Inderal but with time you should adjust more to it.
bleerealty
13 Aug 2015
Hey Customer2009,
I'm so let down to find out that Qualitest doesn't make the extended release capsules... :(. Publix carries the extended release by Brechenridge. Do you happen to be familiar with this manufacturer?
Thanks for anything info you have...
Beverly
Customer2009
13 Aug 2015
Sorry. No I am not familiar with Breckenridge.
Related topics
inderal, anxiety, propranolol, prescription, blood pressure, blood, pressure, brand
Further information
Similar questions
Search for questions
Still looking for answers? Try searching for what you seek or ask your own question.