{"id":630514,"date":"2024-11-19T14:15:31","date_gmt":"2024-11-19T19:15:31","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630514"},"modified":"2026-01-30T16:32:14","modified_gmt":"2026-01-30T21:32:14","slug":"propranolol-for-tremors","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/propranolol-for-tremors\/","title":{"rendered":"Propranolol for tremors: Efficacy, side effects, cost, and more"},"content":{"rendered":"

Propranolol<\/span><\/a> is a generic <\/span>beta blocker<\/span><\/a> sold under the brand names <\/span>Inderal<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>InnoPran<\/span><\/a>, and<\/span> Hemangeol<\/span><\/a>. Beta blockers are most often used to treat <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span><\/a>, but propranolol is also <\/span>approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)<\/span> to treat essential tremor (ET).\u00a0<\/span>Because of its effectiveness in the treatment of ET, propranolol is sometimes prescribed <\/span>off-label<\/span><\/a> to treat shakiness from performance anxiety or <\/span>panic attacks<\/span><\/a>. Here\u2019s what you need to know about propranolol for treating ET, including the typical dosage and what to expect when taking it.<\/span><\/p>\n

Propranolol for tremors: How it works<\/span><\/h2>\n

\u201cEssential tremor is a neurological condition characterized by involuntary and rhythmic shaking,\u201d explains Raj Singh, MD, a primary care physician at <\/span>HEALOR<\/span><\/a> in Las Vegas. He says that while this movement disorder usually affects the <\/span>hands<\/span><\/a>, it can also cause head tremors, voice tremors, or shaking of other muscles or upper limbs. Like <\/span>Parkinson\u2019s disease<\/span><\/a>, <\/span>essential tremor is progressive<\/span><\/a>. Unlike Parkinson\u2019s, essential tremor does not cause other types of dysfunction.<\/span><\/p>\n

Propranolol is <\/span>one of two<\/span><\/a> available pharmacologic treatment options for ET. The other is <\/span>primidone<\/span><\/a>, an anti-seizure drug. Both drugs <\/span>are effective<\/span><\/a> at <\/span>reducing tremors by about 50%<\/span><\/a> in most patients, but propranolol is <\/span>the first treatment healthcare providers consider<\/span><\/a> because it is the only one that\u2019s FDA approved for ET. In some cases, a neurologist might prescribe both of these drugs to be taken together. In other cases, <\/span>topiramate<\/span><\/a>\u00a0or <\/span>metoprolol<\/span><\/a>\u00a0might be prescribed along with or instead of <\/span>propranolol<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>primidone<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

So, how does propranolol work for tremors? Dr. Singh explains that <\/span>propranolol<\/span><\/a> helps \u201cblock the effects of epinephrine and norepinephrine,\u201d two stress hormones. By doing so, propranolol helps reduce nervous system activity and the appearance of physical shaking.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Factors affecting propranolol\u2019s effectiveness for essential tremor<\/span><\/h3>\n

Because propranolol blocks the body\u2019s \u201cfight or flight\u201d response and calms nervous system activity, Dr. Singh says propranolol is most useful for patients whose tremors are \u201cinduced by stress or anxiety.\u201d\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n

Propranolol\u2019s effectiveness also varies depending on the tremors\u2019 characteristics. In general, tremors are defined by two measurements: <\/span>amplitude and frequency<\/span><\/a>.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n