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Propranolol for High Blood Pressure User Reviews

Brand names: Inderal LA, Hemangeol, Inderal XL InnoPran XL

Rating: 5.5

Propranolol has an average rating of 5.5 out of 10 from a total of 54 reviews for the off-label treatment of high blood pressure. 39% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 33% reported a negative experience.

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Reviews for Propranolol

Commonly mentioned side effects
  • Sky...
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 11, 2019

"I’ve been on propranolol for high blood pressure for almost a year. Does it work? Yes. However, it comes with a hefty price tag, and that is your overall well-being. I slipped into a depression from it. When I tried coming off it, my heart rate rocketed to 95 beats a minute from 65 while sitting still. I could feel my heart pounding in my chest. Scared to death, I went back up to my normal dose. I don’t have any feelings inside towards people, my wife, or anything. I’m completely dead inside thanks to this, but hey, I guess I’m alive, so that’s a bonus. I have no interest in sex or anything that used to make me happy. I have no pre-existing conditions that would have caused depression, and I was a happy person before taking it. The upside is that having no emotion means you really don’t care about anything, so there’s no stress or anxiety. My suggestion is that when you talk to your doctor, ask them if they would give this to their kids. That should help you make a decision as to whether or not it’s worth the price. Good luck, people, and heed my advice."

1 / 10
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  • MM4...
  • August 23, 2016

"I take Propranolol 120mg along with Losartan and Hydrochlorothiazide 100mg/25mg once a day for severe high blood pressure, and the results are awesome. My blood pressure is consistently averaging around 110/70 now, my heart rate is always around 70. I feel great and have zero side effects."

10 / 10
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91 Report
  • kio...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • September 30, 2024

"When I was initially prescribed propranolol, it was as needed + 20 mg for anxiety. I actually have high blood pressure (highest I've measured was 150/111), so it was intended to be a double whammy. My actual experience, however, was that it only lowered my heart rate. I have longstanding tachycardia, so I feel functional/normal at 90-100 BPM. After taking it, I felt really ill, or not right. My pulse rate was 50 BPM. I ended up staying up late for it to rise again before taking my nighttime medication. There was no way I wanted to take more propranolol to help my HTN if my BPM crashed so sensitively. After telling my doctor this, she advised me to discontinue it and prescribed metoprolol, which was kinder to my BPM. It seems to work for others, though, just wanted to share my experience."

6 / 10
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Frequently asked questions

  • A r...
  • January 4, 2014

"Took propranolol ER 80 mg before bedtime for the first time and woke up significantly calm and rested, and my blood pressure went down to 129/79 versus 140/89 with a 30-day average. We'll see how it goes the next 30 days. At least I do not feel the need for Valium this morning."

10 / 10
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  • gzl...
  • August 27, 2010

Propranolol "I'm a 55-year-old male and have been on Inderal since I was in my late 20s. This medicine was perfect for me with little side effects. Some light-headedness at times, nausea was probably the worst side effect. Inderal has become expensive over the years and sometimes hard to find. After insurance company changes forced me to try other blood pressure drugs, I ended up back on Inderal. Now it seems it is not as effective as it was before. No one (Doctor, Cardiologist, etc.) seems to know why. Increase in palpitations, blood pressure rising, side effects have become worse, etc. Doctor put me on Bystolic. We'll see how it goes. LESSON: If a medicine works for you and you've been on it a long time, STAY ON IT. Don't let the insurance companies play with your health!"

8 / 10
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  • pil...
  • November 7, 2018

"Just received this med, 60 mg, and reading the above statements is really scaring the hell out of me. I suffer from anxiety, which is now spiking up my blood pressure. I've already had a bad experience with one drug prescribed by a doctor, and now I'm scared to take anything other than the lowest dosage of Xanax, 0.05, and I only take a quarter of that. The doctor gave me this today, and I'm just scared to take it. I don't know-these medications are scary. I mean, they scare me to death. I'm sitting here looking at this med and saying to myself, I don't want to take this, and I probably won't."

2 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • February 23, 2009

Propranolol "I have anxiety-induced high blood pressure. At first, it didn't do anything for me, however, I wasn't taking it at the right time of day. It works wonders when taken at night before bed. Extended release takes 4-5 hours to start working and much longer for peak levels in the blood. I now take it at around 10 PM and am really calm the next day."

8 / 10
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100 Report
  • Bor...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 23, 2020

"Started on a dose of 10 mg propranolol in March for high blood pressure, with no side effects. Then, starting June 8th, I started getting these side effects of strange heart palpitations. It felt as if my heart was going to jump out of my chest, it occurs occasionally. Other side effects I've been having are chest pain, slight memory loss. Sure, it helps to lower your blood pressure, no anxiety anymore, but the side effects are not worth it. It also gets rid of your sex drive, no sexual desire at all. Plus, my hands and feet are almost always cold, and extreme irritation. I will never take these drugs again if it's just going to mess with my heart's electrical system."

5 / 10
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  • Jae...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 25, 2019

"I've been taking Propranolol for a few weeks, and I have to say that it did get rid of the headaches that came along with my high blood pressure. Also, my BP did go down. I was pre-hypertension at 130/110. After a week, I started to notice that I am constantly nauseous and tired. I have been wiped of all energy and beginning to have insomnia worse than usual. When I do fall asleep, I have these odd dreams that cause me to wake up after only a few hours of sleep. Once I wake from the nightmares, I am sweating profusely, and it is uncomfortable. I also noticed that my heart rate slowed a bit to 65 bpm resting, not sure if that's bad or not. Overall, I am not happy with Propranolol 60 mg and will not be taking it anymore!"

2 / 10
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37 Report
  • Ama...
  • January 1, 2014

"My blood pressure was lowered immediately after beginning this medicine. It also helps with nervous shakes (visible in the hands and feet). It's a great prescription! I've combined this with sodium reduction and relaxation exercises, and I have seen my BP drop to the level it was when I was an 18-year-old vegetarian and just 80 lbs. I recommend taking this prescription if you are prescribed it. I was lightheaded and dizzy when I took the first dose, but not a single issue since then."

9 / 10
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69 Report
  • cof...
  • July 17, 2009

Propranolol "I have taken Inderal and Inderal LA for the past 30 years with very few side effects. It helps both my arrhythmia and my high blood pressure. I felt slightly weaker and more tired in the beginning, but now I just feel normal. I have been able to live a relatively normal life and have always been able to do whatever physical activity I needed to do."

8 / 10
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  • Pre...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 18, 2019

"I am prescribed to take a 10 mg tablet 3 times a day along with another BP medication as well. I have been on this medication for 2 days thus far to help with my high blood pressure and fast heartbeat. I do feel a bit calmer, my blood pressure is doing a bit better than before I started it, and my pulse rate is slowly coming down. My biggest issues with this medication are basically the same as with every blood pressure (BP) med I've ever taken before: fatigue, dizziness, makes me get hot, it messes with my appetite, and it makes me really nauseated after taking it. I have absolutely no idea why BP meds come with such a large amount of side effects, and it's like when are they ever going to go away. I am going to continue to stay on it for now, but the side effects are a real downer for sure. It's a shame how a lot of these medications are just poisoning us anyways."

5 / 10
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  • ben...
  • August 23, 2010

Propranolol "Lowered blood pressure but caused severe hair loss (I saw clumps of hair in the drain after every shower) and depression! I have since learned that this 'side effect' is known as 'beta-blocker blues.' However, my M.D. switched me to Tenormin (another beta-blocker), which did not have these side effects."

1 / 10
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  • Tes...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 30, 2020

"I was only on 40 mg of propranolol for 2 days for high blood pressure. First night slept well. Second night couldn’t breathe all night. Insomnia was worse. Don’t know if it’s because. I’m nearly 70 years old, and I shouldn’t be on a beta blocker, and it’s making my pulsatile tinnitus louder."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 8, 2020

"My blood pressure was very high, 150s/100s. Started taking propranolol, and it immediately brought it down. I've been on it for about a month, and my BP is now 90s/60s. I'm on the lowest dose, so I might need to go off of it if my BP goes too low. It also helps immensely with anxiety! Side effects are poor circulation (makes Raynaud's worse), fatigue, and nausea when you first start taking it. The nausea does go away after about a week. Overall, it's a good medication and works well!"

7 / 10
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26 Report
  • Chr...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • December 13, 2022

"I have been prescribed 60 mg of Propranolol once a day for a slightly elevated BP and headaches. My life has been miserable since taking it. A couple of days into it, I had horrible insomnia, felt irritated, had no energy, and just felt miserable. The doctor took me off of it. However, I've had some scary problems trying to get off it, like a high at-rest heart rate and heart palpitations. I would strongly urge people to do your research prior to taking a beta blocker. I've been miserable for the last 6 weeks over this stuff. Praying my life gets back to normal. The problems I was having before taking this med are nothing compared to the misery I've been dealing with since taking it."

2 / 10
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  • hyp...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • February 16, 2017

"I was diagnosed with hypothyroidism and extremely low levels of vitamin B12, which were wreaking all kinds of havoc in my body, so my doctor prescribed me Propranolol for high blood pressure and rapid pulse/palpitations, and it did really work for both problems, helped a little with my anxiety too, but I quit it after ten weeks because I was so drowsy all day long. I also started breaking out pretty bad in the face, scalp, and hairline, not sure if it's related to Propral, but at least the fatigue and general 'depressive mood' subsided instantly when I stopped taking it."

6 / 10
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33 Report
  • GM5...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • January 19, 2019

"I was really excited about starting this medication. The benefits described by my doctor, such as helping both my blood pressure and anxiety, were very appealing. Well, I took just one dose (20 mg) and had trouble breathing doing something as simple as walking out to get the mail. It should be noted I am a healthy, 30-year-old male and never experienced anything like this before. I also had severe insomnia the night I took it, despite taking a Xanax to try and get myself to sleep (which always works very well when I can’t sleep)."

1 / 10
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  • mca...
  • November 22, 2016

"It dropped my blood pressure but also stopped my taste buds from working correctly. If I take it, I can't taste anything. If, after I stop taking it (after 3 weeks), my heart races. I guess I have to wean myself off of this menace."

2 / 10
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32 Report
  • Bmw...
  • June 21, 2019

"Took this for the first time today - 10 mg daily is my dosage (once in the am and once in the pm). I took 10 mg this morning at 8:00 am on my way to work. This is used to treat both my anxiety and high blood pressure, apparently. After about an hour, I started feeling very dizzy, then the nausea came. My eyes were heavy, and I was exhausted. It was all I could do to stay awake at my desk. Flash forward to 12:00 pm, I’m leaving work. I want to go home and nap, but I can’t sleep and have a headache. Truly just waiting for this to wear off and never take it again. The half-life is 10 hours, so only 2.5 more to go, I guess."

1 / 10
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28 Report
  • Dru...
  • March 3, 2017

"Started on 10 mg daily for anxiety after I didn't want to take Lexapro and Valium anymore. It completely stopped my nervous palpitations. However, my BP on a check-up was 170/90. My propranolol/Inderal dose was upped to 20 mg twice a day. Had several side effects. It did lower my BP and heart rate, but took 10 days to start. Had some systolic dips to 47! My side effects were so bothersome I went back to Dr. 3 weeks later. Side effects were icy cold hands, very bad dizziness when my head was down or turned, a weird (like restless leg syndrome) shaky feeling in my spine. Down my arms, legs, and in my head. I would wake up wide awake at 3 am. Anyway, my BP in the office was 160/82! Now I'm trying lisinopril and only 10 mg propranolol."

4 / 10
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33 Report
  • Cha...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • October 7, 2021

"Prescribed for high blood pressure. I’m African American (which does matter) and was prescribed 40 mg twice a day. It caused me to have anxiety attacks-bad ones! I ended up in the ER twice for pressure numbers being way higher than I’ve ever experienced. I dealt with constipation, no appetite, insomnia, and no sexual desire. This was after 5 days of use! Exercising would cause a panic/anxiety attack. Even taking a shower caused me to have one. I’ve lost 5 pounds in 5 days while on this. I’m done with this medicine as of last night. This morning, I feel a lot better! I made my doctor put me on hydrochlorothiazide for my blood pressure, and I took clonazepam for my anxiety attack that I had yesterday once the propranolol was coming out of my system. I started hydrochlorothiazide yesterday for my blood pressure. This morning, I’m at 129/79 with a pulse of 72."

9 / 10
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  • Ann...
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • April 16, 2019

"I have been taking propranolol for arrhythmia for years with no problems and actually was on a very low dose. After trying several drugs for high blood pressure (HBP), resulting in horrible side effects, we increased the propranolol a little. It is doing a wonderful job at controlling the (HBP). I am a bit more tired, but it's not knocking me out, and I'm quite satisfied with this medication and how it's working."

8 / 10
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22 Report
  • Tri...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 3, 2021

"41-year-old male, taking Propranolol for high blood pressure. I took 80 mg once per day for 8 days. It made me feel weird and didn’t help with my blood pressure, so I stopped. It has now been almost a month since I stopped. About a week after I stopped, I started having the following symptoms: - Dizziness when changing the orientation of my head. It lasts for about 5-10 seconds. - Nausea in the morning. - Insomnia. Every single night about 5 hours after I go to sleep."

1 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • March 27, 2017

"Went through thyroid storm, and now, 11 years later, I'm still on 160 mg of propranolol per day. I have no side effects, and I do like this medicine. Hopefully, I'll never get a tolerance to it. I do take 40 mg tablets 4 times a day. I like it better than extended release."

9 / 10
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26 Report

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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or remove inappropriate content. Reviews appearing to come from parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any medication and should not replace the expertise and judgment of healthcare professionals.