Propranolol and Tiredness: What Users Say (Page 3)

• Ann...
• May 28, 2017

For Migraine Prevention "I have just started taking propranolol, have suffered migraines for years, and they seem to be getting worse. Often it seems when the weather is overcast. Don't know if anyone else has found this. I did wonder if pollution was a problem. This is my second day, and I am feeling tired, with a bit of a headache, but I will carry on taking it and hope these symptoms go away after time."

• Fis...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• August 19, 2021

For Panic Disorder "I have struggled with anxiety for quite a while. It turned into random panic attacks that had me feeling like I was going to DIE and would ruin me every time it happened. After multiple ER trips and heart monitoring, everything checked out okay. My doc started me on 60 mg of the extended-release propranolol, and it’s helped SO MUCH! Every once in a while I’ll still get a breakthrough panic attack, but it’s mild and doesn’t demolish my day like it used to. In the beginning, I was more tired than usual, but a few weeks in my body got used to it and I don’t even notice it anymore. I definitely recommend!!!"

• mar...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 6, 2025

For Anxiety "Stopped shaking inside PTSD, but took 3 tabs, 40 mgs. I had all side effects: fake stroke! I am lowering the dose but feel unwell now-tired, weak, headaches. It is effective, but the side effects are horrid. I will taper down as much as possible."

• Jam...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• September 9, 2021

For Anxiety "This is the drug for which Sir James Black was awarded a Nobel Prize, and well deserved. Even 50 years later, still, every few years, newer and newer applications are discovered, just recently that it can help overwrite traumatic memories in your brain. For me, 40 mg propranolol completely stops anxiety and panic, I have a heart rate of 60 instead of 130 in the same situations. It is a true miracle drug if you are anxious about your heart or high heart rate, well deserved Nobel Prize. Just one small pill and your high heart rate (due to anxiety) is cured. Side effects on my side that you feel too calm, a little lethargic, and weak. A little slower in mental tasks. Withdrawal, after taking it for a longer time, can be bad for 2-3 days, but still manageable. I truly highly recommend it for anyone taking it in phobic situations or anxiety about heart."

• Ber...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 28, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Had migraines for 7 years. Took Fioricet for pain, which works well, but I wanted to try prevention. My doctor had already tried Gabapentin and Sumatriptan, both of which did nothing for migraines and had side effects. Then Propranolol. The side effects were: feeling sluggish and tired all the time. I have a regular diet and exercise routine that I follow, and it did not affect my eating habits, but it did make me not want to exercise because of how sluggish I felt. I forced myself to anyway, which is why I didn't gain weight on the drug, but gaining weight would have been easy. At night, my heartbeat felt like it was chugging on a milkshake, which made me anxious. It did nothing for my migraines, so I stopped after a couple of months."

• Jus...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• November 13, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking propranolol 60 mg ER prescribed for high blood pressure (HBP) for a week now, and the only thing about it is I get a little dizzy and very tired. I never in the past had high blood pressure before, it was always low, but I've been extremely stressed. I took my first dose at 11:00 in the morning because my blood pressure was so high. I'm trying to get it to where I take it at night so I won't be so tired during the day. That's when you're supposed to take the extended release. I'm hoping my energy will come back, because I don't have any right now, but at least I'm not wound up clenching my fist anymore. I'm much calmer."

• Pea...
• May 6, 2017

For Panic Disorder "I'm only on 5 mg for additional control of cyclic vomiting syndrome along with 125 mg of amitriptyline. The amitriptyline was causing a high heart rate at the current dose. Propranolol has helped bring my heart rate back down to normal, along with helping my anxiety. Unfortunately, I think it would work better if I went up in dosage, but I can't because my blood pressure is getting too low. Side effects I had that went away with time were tiredness, diarrhea, feeling flat on emotions."

• Chr...
• July 4, 2016

For Anxiety "My health professional prescribed me propranolol 40 mg dosage. I'm supposed to take it 3 times a day, but I just take it whenever I need it. I found it really useful for my symptoms such as very low mood, depression, and anxiety. Although this med makes me feel so, so tired after 10 PM when I take my last pill. I mean, I can't even talk or do uni work. The next day I sleep like till 11, 12, which is quite bad. I actually can't even get out of my bed.... I only take this med when I need it."

• Boo...
• May 17, 2017

For Performance Anxiety "1 week ago, I was informed that I had to present to a group of higher management and my colleagues on a subject I am not most familiar with. When I first heard it, a wave of panic swept through me. I struggled to put the PowerPoints together. I was unsure if I could get through this without damaging my career. I took 10 mg in the morning as I had to run through it with my boss. I felt really tired after that and a sense of detachment from the people around me. I could not imagine taking some more later before the real thing. I took 20 mg anyway 1 hour before. I feel that I could not think clearly before the presentation. But just as I started, I began to enter a zone where I spoke like a pro and completed it beautifully!"

• unk...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 24, 2021

For Anxiety "Have been dealing with a pounding, racing, and randomly skipping/fluttering heart very often. This started in 2020 after I had COVID and seemed to get worse in 2021. Changing positions/elevation when I lay down and stand up seemed to worsen/start my symptoms, as well as mornings when I leaned up or sat up, the pounding would set in. Another symptom was standing or walking for too long, I would get an intense pressure in my chest and would have to lay down immediately. The anxiety developed from dealing with all of this was present very frequently, so... My doctor prescribed 10 mg as needed daily of propranolol. I take 10 mg in the morning, 10 mg in the afternoon, and 10 mg at night if needed, making it 3x a day of 10 mg if needed. I love this medicine, it makes doing everyday tasks much easier that would normally race, pound, and skip my heart. It lowers the heart rate and calms the pounding. I have only noticed mild tiredness that does not last all day. Overall, it is a lifesaver."

• Lul...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• June 8, 2019

For Anxiety "Right, well, I didn’t take any propranolol today, and I felt more human. Less tired and alert. I take half an amitriptyline now instead, early evening. It was definitely the propranolol that put the damper on me."

• Ilo...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 18, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I started taking 10 mg of propranolol about 2 months ago. I used to have around 4 severe migraines a week. I now only have 3 a month! No bad side effects, for the first 2 weeks, I did feel a little tired, but other than that, there was nothing."

• 996...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• January 22, 2023

Inderal (propranolol) for Migraine Prevention "I was prescribed Inderal around 7-8 years ago due to a persistent migraine aura following an allergic reaction treated with steroids. Recently, I was guided by a medical professional to wean off it about three months ago. In hindsight, I regret starting the medication in the first place. I believe that taking Inderal triggered asthma symptoms that have worsened over the years, which my healthcare provider didn't realize was not suitable for someone with asthma. Additionally, it disrupted my sleep and caused insomnia, leading me to take medication for years. I became weak, tired, and short of breath while running, which was a favorite activity of mine, and I eventually had to stop running altogether. Now, after being off Inderal, I have developed hypertension that has persisted for three months despite not having a history of it in my family. I believe this medication should not be prescribed for migraines or anxiety due to the long-term effects I've experienced."

• Jlo...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• March 9, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "I'm 33, have been suffering migraines since the age of 5! It's a genetic thing in our family. Been on all sorts of prevention meds, attack meds, and Inderal has been the best. I now only get a premenstrual migraine once every few months. I've been on this medication for years, and I will never get off it. I do get tired a lot from it, but worth it over having migraines a few times a week."

• Jay...
• June 20, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "29-year-old male, 75 kg. Suffer from panic attacks when presenting. Voice wobbling, etc. The drug suppressed the adrenaline associated with anxiety. After taking it, the experience for me was one of fear of presenting but no fast heartbeat, flushed cheeks, sweaty palms, or sheer panic. A controlled, edgy, subtle fear, which turned to excitement and enthusiasm once I started speaking and felt none of the usual symptoms. It is a great option for people like me who have panic attacks. Dosage: I took 10 mg a day before to get used to it and ensure I felt okay. Next day, I took 20 mg an hour before the presentation, and it was great. I was worried I’d taken it too early or maybe not enough and was tempted to take another 10 mg pill. In the end, I just stuck with the 20 mg, and it worked a charm. Side effects: slight headache on both occasions, dry throat a few hours after taking it, very tired for a few hours after taking it, where I have needed to have a nap. Finally, it upset my stomach slightly."

• Ln2...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• April 11, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "One of the very few drugs that help me like it should, with little to no side effects. My body tends to be somewhat sensitive to medicines, but I have never experienced any negative effects from propranolol. Maybe it's because I take a smaller dose (5-10 mg). Sometimes I feel tired, but that isn't a bad thing for me. It always lowers my HR and settles me down when I'm super uncomfortable."

• Far...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• May 29, 2022

For Anxiety "I have tachycardia due to an overly active sympathetic system. My psychiatrist thought that I just have a very 'irritable' nervous system that gives me tachycardia and IBS. So he put me on propranolol, saying that beta-blockers do a great job at blocking the effects of adrenaline. I benefited from propranolol since the first day, I took 20 mg 3 times a day, and my heart rate returned to the 80s instead of the 110s. But three weeks later, I started to feel very lethargic and nauseous, and most of all, I started to feel depressed and had suicidal ideations that I never had in my life. I stopped the medication immediately, and the symptoms resolved quickly in three days. Later, I discovered that it's usually the morning dose that gives me the side effects, so now I take 20 mg at noon and 10 mg before dinner (it also gives me insomnia if I take more than 10 mg at night). I experience very few side effects. Propranolol is very effective, but you have to find the right dose and listen to your body."

• daz...
• April 19, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Propranolol has reduced the frequency of migraines during the past 8 months that I've been on it. However, it makes me so tired and 'out of it' that I'm lethargic...so I've put on 15 pounds and I never want to do anything! I can't stand this awful side effect. I'm 46, female, and now weigh 160. Was at 145 before propranolol. The size large pants are getting tight. I'll be in XL soon if I stay on this medication. It doesn't help that I'm also on Lyrica since one month ago (so now I'm even MORE tired and confused!) Tried Topamax in the past to prevent migraines. It did help in my 30s, but not in my 40s."

• daz...
• April 19, 2016

For Migraine Prevention "Propranolol has reduced the frequency of migraines during the past 8 months that I've been on it. However, it makes me so tired and 'out of it' that I'm lethargic...so I've put on 15 pounds and I never want to do anything! I can't stand this awful side effect. I'm 46, female, and now weigh 160. Was at 145 before propranolol. The size large pants are getting tight. I'll be in XL soon if I stay on this medication. It doesn't help that I'm also on Lyrica since one month ago (so now I'm even MORE tired and confused!) Tried Topamax in the past to prevent migraines. It did help in my 30s, but not in my 40s."

• Bre...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 25, 2024

For Migraine "I've been taking propranolol for migraines for 30 years. Started with 80 mg LA, then 60 mg LA, but at 50 y.o. titrated down to 10 mg. Higher doses made me tired. It lowers my blood pressure and pulse rate, keeps me calm, good for anxiety. The only thing I noticed around year 15 is it has affected my breathing and lungs. Feel out of breath a lot - otherwise I would give it a 10."

• Bul...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 19, 2012

For Migraine Prevention "I have been taking propranolol 30mg daily to aid in migraine prevention and hypertension. I love the fact that it has greatly helped with the headaches and blood pressure, but I am having great difficulty with some side effects. My pulse rate used to run around 90-100 and has dropped to 45-49, making me extremely lethargic, ready to pass out at any time, even sitting. I have also noticed my feet swelling at night, and this is definitely new. I have never had issues with my feet swelling before I started this medication. I am a very active person, and working out on the treadmill, I can't get my heart rate over 100. I think we need to decrease the dosage even more. Got a call out to the doctor."

• Its...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2018

For Anxiety "I recently was put on this medication. After being on 40 mg for a week with zero effect, they upped the dose to 80 mg once a day. Still no change at all, except being more tired and not being able to concentrate. Going to stick with it, though, will post another update soon."

• Dil...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• June 28, 2019

For Performance Anxiety "I experience extreme social anxiety when it comes to public speaking, like presentations that we have to do in the university. I was escaping from presentations because every time, even if I think of one, I get panic attacks, as well as a shaky voice and hands so badly. But I took propranolol 20 mg two hours before and another 10 mg 30 minutes before the presentation. I became more confident than ever before. It was perfect. It was a miracle. No panic, no shakiness. Great. But after 4 to 5 hours of taking it, I was feeling really tired. Then I slept for a few hours. But the day after, I was feeling really well again."

• Lin...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 29, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Absolutely dreadful. Was on these for high blood pressure as well as others, and this one was awful, made me so tired and depressed, not worth it. Read the comments to find out why? Plus weight gain, horrific."

• ADa...
• December 31, 2019

Inderal LA (propranolol) "I began taking Inderal LA 60 mg about a week ago to slow my HR due to having massive panic attacks. Although the medicine has worked miracles in keeping my HR down, the side effects are pretty bad. I feel very tired all the time and occasionally dizzy and lightheaded."