Adrenaline Blockers For Performing Anxiety
Prescription-Strength Confidence

Like all medications, beta-blockers may result in side effects for some people. For most, these effects are minor to none at all. 

The most common Propranolol side effects include:

• Slower heart rate
• Diarrhea
• Dry eyes
• Hair loss
• Nausea
• Weakness or tiredness

In most cases, these side effects go away after a few days. But if you experience any of the above for more than a couple of days, let your doctor know. 

Though very rare, it is possible to experience more serious side effects from this medication. If you experience any of the following, seek immediate medical care: 

• Allergic reactions (skin rash; itching; hives; swelling of your face, lips, or tongue)
• Breathing problems
• Changes in blood sugar
• Cold hands or feet
• Nightmares or trouble sleeping
• Dry, peeling skin
• Hallucinations
• Muscle cramps or weakness
• Slow heart rate
• Swelling of your legs or ankles
• Sudden weight gain
• Vomiting
• Dizziness, lightheadedness, or loss of consciousness

Please note this isn't an exhaustive list of common side effects. Be sure to read through the manufacturer's pamphlet included with your prescription and the treatment plan from your medical provider for more information.

To minimize your risk of experiencing side effects from your prescription, be sure to let your doctor know about any other medications you're currently taking and provide a fully updated medical history. Additionally, always be sure to take your prescription as directed. 

Certain people shouldn't take beta-blockers. Be sure to seek medical advice to understand if this prescription is the right option for you.

Beta-blockers are a type of prescription medication used to treat several conditions including:

• Angina
• Irregular heartbeat
• Heart attack
• Hypertension
• Migraines
• Glaucoma
• Performance anxiety
• ​Social anxiety

Known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, they work by preventing the hormone epinephrine, also known as adrenaline, from attaching to beta-receptors. In doing so, adrenaline is prevented from spreading throughout your body.

This causes your heart to beat more slowly and improves blood flow throughout your body. 

There are several different types of beta-blockers, including selective and non-selective. Selective beta-blockers mainly affect your heart while non-selective beta-blockers affect both your heart and blood vessels.

Examples of commonly prescribed beta-blockers include: 

• Atenolol
• Bisoprolol
• Metoprolol
• Propranolol

When used to treat performance anxiety, Propranolol (Propranolol Hydrochloride) is the most common type of beta-blocker prescribed. This medication has been shown to ease symptoms caused by nerves like tremors, sweating, and increased heart rate. 

Propranolol (Inderal) is a type of beta-blocker, a medication prescribed by doctors to treat several different conditions.

Propranolol uses include:

• High blood pressure
• Migraines
• Chest pains
• Heart failure
• Arrhythmias (or an irregular heart rhythm)
• Essential tremors
• Infantile hemangioma
• Certain thyroid conditions, including hyperthyroidism

Recent studies have also shown that this medication can be beneficial in treating certain anxiety disorders, particularly performance anxiety.

In these cases, it's typically used to treat anxiety surrounding a short-term event, like stage fright before a performance or nerves before public speaking.

The medication works by blocking the physical symptoms of anxiety like rapid heart rate and heavy breathing. Unlike other anxiety medications such as benzodiazepines and antidepressants, Propranolol doesn't affect the psychological elements of anxiety.

When used for the treatment of anxiety, Propranolol is considered to be an off-label prescription. This simply means that, while the medication has been approved by the FDA it hasn't been approved for this specific use. Off-label use prescriptions are a very common practice by doctors.

As with any mental health treatment, it's important to speak with a medical expert to understand what options are the best path forward for you.

The Propranolol dosage you're prescribed will depend on what you're being treated for.

In the case of Propranolol for anxiety, doctors most commonly prescribe 10-20 mg. This is meant to be taken one hour before an event.

This dosage is much lower than what's often prescribed to treat other conditions including chest pain or high blood pressure. In most cases, these other types of treatment, like heart conditions and high blood pressure, call for dosages of up to 80-300 mg.

To minimize your chances of experiencing side effects, it's important to take your medication as it's prescribed to you.

While in some cases, your doctor may recommend more than Propranolol 10 mg for certain treatments, it's important you do not change your dosage unless you speak to your healthcare provider first.

Beta-blockers work by blocking adrenaline. Primarily they work by slowing down the rate of your heartbeat and lowering your blood pressure.

But adrenaline affects multiple parts of your body. So after taking a beta-blocker, you may notice effects like:

• Your breathing slows to a steady rate
• Tremors in your hand cease
• Your heart beats at a normal rate
• Your face is free from blushing
• Your skin is free from excessive sweating

So when you're trying to stay focused on a presentation or an important meeting, you're not trying to also tackle a racing heart and shortness of breath.

Propranolol is used both on its own and in combination with other medications to treat a variety of health conditions.

However, it shouldn't be taken in combination with all medications.

To avoid negative Propranolol interactions, always let your doctor know if you're taking any of the following:

• Blood pressure drugs, such as:
• Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) inhibitors
• Other beta-blockers
• Alpha-blockers
• Anesthetics (Drugs that block sensation), such as:
• Lidocaine
• Mepivacaine
• Dobutamine
• Drugs used to increase heart rate and blood pressure, such as:
• Epinephrine
• Isoproterenol
• Dobutamine
• Asthma drugs, such as theophylline
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
• Blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin
• Drugs for stomach ulcers, such as cimetidine
• Antacids with aluminum hydroxide

Please keep in mind this list is not exhaustive. Be sure to provide your healthcare provider with a complete list of all other medications, including both over-the-counter and prescription drugs, you're currently taking before starting any new medication.

Taking Propranolol with another medication on this list may decrease the effectiveness of your prescription. In some cases, it can lead to serious side effects.

It is not advised by medical experts that you mix Propranolol and alcohol.

Propranolol minimizes the symptoms of performance anxiety by slowing down your heart rate.

Alcohol has also been shown to cause low blood pressure. So when combining both, you run the risk of lowering your blood pressure to a dangerous level. This can result in the following symptoms:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness
• Fainting
• Increased heart rate
• Nausea
• Headache
• Inability to focus

If you experience any of those symptoms, be sure to seek medical attention from a doctor as soon as possible.

Additionally, in some cases, alcohol can increase anxiety which can lessen the effects of your prescription.

Propranolol is known to be a fast-acting medication.

When prescribed for performance anxiety, experts typically recommend taking your prescription one hour before your event. In most cases, you should notice your prescription working anywhere from 30 minutes to one hour after taking it.

Propranolol's half-life is between 3-6 hours. This means half of the dose will still be active in your body after this amount of time.

So in most cases, the effects of Propranolol will last around 4 hours.

If offered in an extended-release form, the effects of your prescription can last up to 12 hours. But note that it may take longer for you to initially notice the effects.

Doctors recommend taking your prescription on an as-needed basis. You should always follow the directions exactly as provided to you.

Propranolol has been found to be effective in reducing the symptoms resulting from performance anxiety.

These are generally physical symptoms caused by an adrenaline surge you experience when you're nervous about an event.

In most cases adrenaline can be motivating and helpful; however, too much of it can be distracting and uncomfortable. For some, the symptoms caused by performance anxiety can feel so severe they act similarly to a panic attack.

Propranolol isn't the only medication used to treat performance anxiety. In some cases, a doctor might prescribe Xanax (also referred to as alprazolam). However, it should be noted that medications like Xanax can carry heavier side effects, including drowsiness, compared to Propranolol.

You can find Propranolol reviews for anxiety and learn about others' experiences with this medication at Drugs.com.

Make an appointment with a doctor to understand all of your treatment options, including a beta-blocker prescription.