I’ve been on propanol 40mg twice a day since September this year. I was opus on them for my anxiety mainly the rapid heartbeat. I’m also on fluoxetine and I was given propranolol to help me till fluoxetine kicked in. But I’m prediabetic and have been reading that propranolol can cause diabetes by raising blood sugar and I’m really scared now I just want to stop taking it but scared my heart rate will go through the roof! I’ve been reading through previous posts and now I’m scared as I did read someone said once you’re on propranolol you can’t come off! But what if it’s affecting my blood sugars I will have to come off. I feel fine on them I just am so scared about this blood sugar thing. I was planning to stay on them maybe a few more months but now just want to stop as I’m so scared of this side effect
Want to stop propranolol safely?
Question posted by Silverrose12 on 5 Dec 2022
Last updated on 18 December 2022 by scoomah
Answers
they have lower dose pills to taper with
High, Silverrose!
I would talk to your doctor before stopping the medication. My husband was a diabetic and was told that propranolol can cause HYPOglycemia in a few patients. From the government clinical trials:
"Can diabetics take propranolol?
Although beta-blockers may theoretically attenuate hypoglycemic symptoms or lead to worsening of hypoglycemia, multiple studies have proven that beta-blockers increase hypoglycemic symptoms and can be safely used in diabetes patients."
Also, if you decide to stop the drug have your doctor give you a schedule to follow for about 2 - 4 weeks.
Was your husband taking propranolol while he was diabetic? I’m more concerned about raising glucose levels than hypoglycaemia. I’m trying to reverse the prediabetes with diet and exercise and don’t want the tablets to increase my blood glucose. I hope it is just hypoglycaemia it can cause
I wasn't able to find any references regarding it causing hyperglycemia. If you read it somewhere can you remember the website?
Thanks!
Related topics
anxiety, fluoxetine, anxiety and stress
Further information
- Fluoxetine uses and safety info
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- Side effects of Fluoxetine (detailed)
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