Will I get withdrawal symptoms for coming off propranolol after 3 days?
Question posted by Xxxjessxxx on 8 March 2018
Last updated on 14 June 2022 by Shazzawest1
So I’ve had panic attacks for years but over the last 4 days they’ve gotten a lot so I went to the doctors 2 days ago and she put me on propranolol for anxiety and since I’ve started taking them my panic attacks have stopped but I’ve been worse as in I’ve had very short breaths, my heart rate has slowed which I expected to happen but I’m finding it very uncomfortable, I’ve been dizzy and light headed as well as finding it difficult to concentrate on watch TV etc, I’ve had insomnia and once I wake up I can’t go back to sleep. I have also felt extremely nauseous and been unable to eat very much which is making me more dizzy.
I’m wanting to come off them as I don’t want to be reliant on tablets to help with panic attacks/anxiety but I just find these to be really uncomfortable, so I want to know if having only taken them for 2 days, will I have withdrawal symptoms?
The information on this page reflects personal experiences shared by our community members. It is not reviewed for medical accuracy and should not replace professional medical advice.
6 Answers
SH
Shazzawest1
15 June 2022
My son started a couple of weeks ago with 10mg tabs and then last Friday was given slow release propranolol - on Sunday he walked in front of a car and now has injuries to his head, leg and arm. He has concussion.
My son has PTSD arising from trauma and dyspraxia- a specific learning difficulty but is very independent and has average intelligence.
My worry is that this new meds caused brain fog and impaired judgment - my son struggles to communicate how he’s feeling but did say he’d felt dizzy beforehand but this maybe due to there being crowds of people round the corner where he usually crosses - this would make him nervous
Any experience of impaired judgment on these and as it’s been only 4 days since taking them, can he just stop?
Votes: +0
TE
Texasjherrera
23 March 2022
Everyone is unique, my experience has been this. I was prescribed 20 mg tablets a couple of months ago for panic attacks and they worked very well, I only took 10 mg at a time.
I started depending on them more as my personal life/health situation has only gotten worse. With that being said I wanted to try diet/lifestyle changes and try to get to the root cause of my anxiety and not rely on the pills, so I stopped taking them.
A couple of days later, my resting heart rate was super elevated including while I slept. I feel off, tired, headaches (at the base of the skull kind) for days. I can’t even get my heart rate to stay low even after deep breathing exercises. Yesterday I woke up at 9 am and as soon as I started moving my resting heart rate jumped up to 100 bpm when it’s usually around 65-75. It was fluctuating between 97-115 until 2:30 pm when I took a 5 mg dose. I haven’t taken a dose today and I feel better than I have in a while.
I spoke with my GP yesterday and he said if I’m going to stop then I could experience negative side effects for at least a week, maybe two, but I’ll get back to normal. Said the elevated heart rate wasn’t too concerning unless it stays over 150 bpm for more than 30 minutes while at rest. I’m looking forward to feeling better, I don’t take any other medications so I’m almost certain it’s the Propanol. Hope this helps. Sorry for rambling.
Votes: +0
GR
gregcooper
1 Sep 2020
In terms of stopping the drug after a few days you will probably be fine but should monitor any symptoms closely and work with your doctor just to be safe. This drug effects the electrical control of your heart. It is my opinion that this drug should not be taken without carefully considering the tradeoff and risks and after carefully considering the previous sentence. I was prescribed this for mild tremors and high blood pressure. I wish i would have been talked into diet exercise and meditation which could have been more effective and with no negative side effects.
In terms of effects after taking long term and coming off the drug ... It would be nice to get more peoples input here. Im a 33 yo male. I took 60mg XR once a day for about 3 to4 years. Recently tapered off. I have had a few cases of tachycardia up to about 140 150 bpm lasting 10 to 30 minutes. Heart rate gradually drops back to normal. No major symptoms while taking the drug. I have been exercising every day and this has seemed to keep tachycardia from occurring. My blood sugar was a little high last check. Keep in mind this drug is known to raise blood sugar. Keep an eye on it and request an a1c if suspicious. My Heart rate lately has been resting often at 50 to 57 which im wondering if it's because i run or if it's residual bradycardia/arrhythmia. I haven't really had symptoms of bradycardia so it may be normal as i often run 5 miles multiple times a week.
I can't find satisfactory studies or literature on known withdrawal symptoms after taking this drug for years
Votes: +0
LI
Liz1708
16 July 2019
I have been on the 60mg extended release for about five months for palpitations, tremors and anxiety, it has been causing SEs such as Hair loss, fatigue, muscle spasms, dizziness, weakness and other symptoms. Have been tapering off of this med for about two weeks now, but today I woke up at 4am sweating and with a little anxiety, I am assuming this are withdrawal symptoms. Somebody also mentioned a weird feeling in the head, I am also experiencing like spasms in my throat that often comes with pressure in my sinus area and head, the spasms I also feel them on the side of my head, it’s so weird!
Votes: +2
AN
Anne R
16 Oct 2019
I've been tapering off 80mg slow release capsules propranolol for a few weeks by switching to the tablets. I went to 60mg a day, then 49, then 30 etc... I got down to 5mg a day and stopped two days ago. I've been getting throat, and sinus problems plus skin prickling and muscle pain. Also a weird feeling in my head and shaky and weak. I was on them five months for anxiety.
HE
Heather0711
21 Nov 2019
I’ve only taken propranolol for 3 days. I took 10mg two times per day. My last dose was Friday 11/15. I’ve been feeling horrible since. I have excessive sweating, burning/tingling skin, tremors and insomnia. I’m wondering how much longer this will last.
RJ
RJCali37
30 Jan 2022
Hi Liz. Were you able to get completely off this med? How long did you taper?
It is unlikely that you would have withdrawal symptoms after taking it for two days, but you do need to go back to your doctor. Some of these symptoms could be caused by too low blood pressure. You might ask if you could try Xanax. It's wonderful for anxiety, depression,etc.
Votes: +1
SO
SophieAlex
29 March 2018
Hi. Did you manage to come off the propranolol? I have taken it for x2 days now an I feel awful. Really dizzy and tight chest. Just wondering if you had any withdrawal symptoms? Xx
Votes: +0
KA
KarenAnne RN
9 June 2018
Anyone suffering from symptoms such as these should not take Inderal. See your Dr asap.
DE
delise910
16 Aug 2018
I'd like to know too. I started it over the weekend, its now Thursday. I knew I was med sensitive so I took half the prescribed dose, but 4 times a day so 20mg a day versus 30mg total a day. 6 days in.. and have been lowering my dose even more but holy moly I feel HORRIBLE. Lightheaded, weird head feelings, chest pressure, sometimes difficulty breathing, near constant burping, diarrhea and exhaustion like I've never felt before. Like can't keep your eyes open tired. NO Problems sleeping, no insomnia at all. And it did what it was supposed to do. .my heart rate is fabulous and consistent. It also, oddly enough, made tense muscles in my neck relax substantially. But totally not worth it!
Supposedly may subside in a couple weeks to a month but I literally can't go anywhere in the morning. I drove to work yesterday and it's amazing I didn't hit anything. I kept nearly nodding odd.. my depth perception was way off and my vision was hazy/blurred slightly.
Very disappointed.. and concerned.
DE
delise910
16 Aug 2018
Curious as well.. terrible side effects to this med, even though it is doing what it's prescribed to do... the side effects aren't worth it to me unless they really did go away but in the interim I literally cannot function half the day.
KA
KarenAnne RN
17 Aug 2018
Please don't take heart medication for anxiety ! That is dangerous.
JO
JohnTPH123
13 Dec 2018
How’re you feeling now Sophiealex ?
I’ve just started it ( 3 weeks ) - hoping it gets better; but it’s making me antisocial, boring, emotionally inept, fat and I literally have no interest in anything ...
Really hope it’s going to settle soon, this tablet
Depressed isn’t good, and although some anxiety symptoms are lessoned, these side affects make me want to just take Diazepam ( I take both )
SH
SheWhoShakes
22 Dec 2018
I just stopped taking Propranolol - took it for 4 years for essential tremor. It really kept the tremors under control, but I could no longer handle the side effects. I was like JohnTPH123 whose comment describes antisocial, fat, not interested in anything, I would doze off all of a sudden, be wide awake until 3 am (sometimes later than that). Also, I could not breathe, I coughed up a thick mucus all day long, and felt disconnected from my body. I weaned myself off it by taking lower doses every couple of days until I was comfortable with being able to stop it completely. What a difference it has made in my life! I feel normal again. I did more the first day off this drug than I had done in all of the previous week. My mental focus is back, I can feel my body, I'm getting on a regular sleep cycle, I can breathe deeply, I can feel my heart beat, the cough and the mucus are gone, I have control of my bladder again.
I'm taking over the counter Valerian for the tremors, which has minimized them so far. I had read that it can take a couple of weeks for the Valerian to control the tremors. Even if it does not work to completely control the tremors, I will not go back on Propranolol. I hope you find a solution to your problem.
