{"id":630939,"date":"2025-01-06T17:44:13","date_gmt":"2025-01-06T22:44:13","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=630939"},"modified":"2025-01-10T14:18:28","modified_gmt":"2025-01-10T19:18:28","slug":"how-to-stop-taking-propranolol-for-anxiety","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-stop-taking-propranolol-for-anxiety\/","title":{"rendered":"How to stop taking propranolol for anxiety"},"content":{"rendered":"<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/propranolol-hcl\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propranolol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is a generic <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/beta-blockers\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">beta blocker<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> also sold under the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">brand names<\/span> <a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/inderal-la\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inderal<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/innopran-xl\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">InnoPran<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/hemangeol\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> Hemangeol<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">FDA<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) to treat <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/hypertension-treatments-and-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high blood pressure<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fast heartbeats, and essential tremor (ET). Because it suppresses the central nervous system\u2019s \u201cfight or flight hormones,\u201d <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is sometimes prescribed <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/off-label-prescription-drugs\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">off-label<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anxiety, especially <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">performance anxiety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">social anxiety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">panic attacks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">situational anxiety,<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as fear of flying.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Of course, people on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to treat anxiety might wonder when and how to stop taking it. The best way to quit <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is to work with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> to plan how to taper dosage and prevent potential <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrawal symptoms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"what-happens-if-you-stop-taking-propranolol\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What happens if you stop taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The primary outcome of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">stopping <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/propranolol-for-anxiety\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is that you will no longer experience the beneficial effects of the medication. When <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is prescribed for anxiety, it is intended to reduce <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/propranolol-hcl\/what-is\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical symptoms<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> such as <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/propranolol-for-tremors\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">tremors<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a racing heart, and elevated blood pressure.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">People on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anxiety are generally not prescribed high doses. However, it\u2019s still a good idea to taper dosage to avoid unpleasant withdrawal-like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effects<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, says Sid Khurana, MD, a board-certified psychiatrist and co-founder of Nevada <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Mental Health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> in Las Vegas.<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/journals.sagepub.com\/doi\/10.1177\/0253717620936985\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">\u00a0<\/span><\/a><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Side effects of propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> discontinuation<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> may include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Rebound anxiety<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/hypertension-causes\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">High blood pressure<\/span><\/a><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Adverse <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/news\/heart-disease-statistics\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">cardiovascular<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> events<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">angina<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, irregular <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart rhythms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and, in rare cases, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart failure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">)<\/span><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The good news is that gradually decreasing the dose for a couple of weeks has been shown to prevent these withdrawal effects.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Exactly <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">when <\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">to stop taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anxiety depends on the person, according to Dr. Khurana. Seek <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical advice<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> from a primary care provider or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mental health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> professional who knows your medical history. For some people, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> discontinuation is recommended when the underlying cause of anxiety has been addressed or removed. In other cases, a person might stop taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because there is a better anxiety treatment available to them or because <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is not reducing their anxiety symptoms. \u201cSomeone\u2019s anxiety may actually be cured, too, and it may be time to wean them off,\u201d Dr. Khurana says.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"can-you-stop-taking-propranolol-cold-turkey\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Can you stop taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cold turkey?<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It is not recommended to stop taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cold turkey. <\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/beta-blockers-for-anxiety\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Beta blockers<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> dampen the body\u2019s \u201cfight-or-flight\u201d hormone surges so that the heart beats more gently and slowly. Abruptly removing <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can cause increased blood pressure, rapid or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">irregular heartbeat<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and agitation or irritability, per <a href=\"https:\/\/nevadamentalhealth.com\/our-psychiatrists\/\">Dr. Khurana<\/a>.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Stopping propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> abruptly can also cause withdrawals, says <\/span><a href=\"http:\/\/www.digestivereset.com\/\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Inna Melamed, Pharm.D.<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, a functional medicine practitioner and author of <\/span><i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Digestive Reset<\/span><\/i><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. \u201c<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Withdrawal symptoms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include an increase in blood pressure, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">chest pains<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, fast heartbeat, more anxiety and even <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart attacks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/propranolol-hcl\/dosage\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propranolol dosage<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be weaned, not discontinued abruptly. The consequences of quitting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cold turkey include a risk of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">hypertension<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, heart issues, and rebound anxiety.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"how-to-stop-taking-propranolol-for-anxiety\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">How to stop taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anxiety<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Remember, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol dosage<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> should be tapered under the guidance of a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. The good news is that weaning patients off <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> doesn\u2019t take long. \u201cI can typically do it in two weeks,\u201d says Dr. Khurana. \u201cGenerally, I will reduce the dose by one-half for one week. If they are tolerating it well, I will reduce it another quarter the next week, then take the last part off at the end of that second week.\u201d<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">For example, a patient taking 100 milligrams (mg) of <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> daily would reduce their dose to 50 mg daily for one week and 25 mg the following week. The drug would be entirely discontinued in the third week.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">It\u2019s important to understand that the exact tapering schedule varies from person to person. Dr. Khurana suggests that the dosage also varies based on a person\u2019s other medications and the severity of their anxiety symptoms.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"what-to-know-about-rebound-anxiety\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">What to know about rebound anxiety<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Not everyone experiences rebound anxiety, or a resurgence of anxiety symptoms, after quitting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. Some people discontinue anti-anxiety medication because they no longer need it or because they are switching to a different anxiety treatment or their other anti-anxiety medication can work effectively alone.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">To people who do experience a return of anxiety symptoms, Dr. Khurana says it\u2019s important to consult a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">mental health<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> provider about managing your anxiety and planning out your next steps. \u201cCrisis sometimes gives an opportunity to take a slightly deeper look at what is bringing on the anxiety and how, this time around, you might be able to create a treatment plan that goes more to the root of the problem,\u201d he says.<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"propranolol-alternatives-for-anxiety\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> alternatives for anxiety<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> isn\u2019t the only drug used to treat anxiety. It\u2019s not even the most common anxiety treatment.<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"alternative-anxiety-medications\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Alternative anxiety medications<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Common<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/conditions\/anxiety-treatment-and-medications\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">anxiety medications<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> include:<\/span><\/p>\n<ul>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Selective serotonin reuptake <\/b><b>inhibitors<\/b> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">(<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/ssris\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SSRIs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) such as<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/zoloft\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Zoloft<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/sertraline-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">sertraline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">),<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lexapro\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Lexapro<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/escitalopram-oxalate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">escitalopram<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">), and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/prozac-vs-xanax\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Prozac<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/fluoxetine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">fluoxetine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Serotonin-norepinephrine reuptake <\/b><b>inhibitors<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.mayoclinic.org\/diseases-conditions\/depression\/in-depth\/antidepressants\/art-20044970\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">SNRIs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) such as<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/effexor-xr\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Effexor<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/venlafaxine-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">venlafaxine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/pristiq\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Pristiq<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/desvenlafaxine-er\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">desvenlafaxine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Tricyclic <\/b><b>antidepressants<\/b><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/drug-classes\/tricyclic-antidepressants\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">TCAs<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) such as<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/tofranil\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Tofranil<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/imipramine-pamoate\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">imipramine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">) and Vivactil (<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/protriptyline-hcl\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">protriptyline<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">).<\/span><\/li>\n<li style=\"font-weight: 400;\" aria-level=\"1\"><b>Benzodiazepines <\/b>such as<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/xanax\"> Xanax<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/alprazolam\">alprazolam<\/a>),<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/valium\"> Valium<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/diazepam\">diazepam<\/a>), and<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/ativan\"> Ativan<\/a> (<a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/lorazepam-intensol\">lorazepam<\/a>)<b>.<\/b><\/li>\n<\/ul>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">These medications have different <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">side effect<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> profiles, contraindications, and w<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">arnings<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. They may be more appropriate than <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> depending on a person\u2019s other <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">medical conditions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> (certain <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart conditions<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">low blood pressure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for instance) and individual situations (being pregnant or <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">breastfeeding<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, for example).\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h3 id=\"non-pharmacological-alternatives\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Non-pharmacological alternatives<\/span><\/h3>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">There are also non-pharmacological options such as cognitive behavior therapies (CBTs), hypnotherapy, and \u201cnutraceuticals including<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC7585905\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">valerian root<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC4630875\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">kava kava<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, GABA with<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8475422\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">l-theanine<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/over-the-counter-medicine-for-anxiety-and-stress\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">and more<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">,\u201d says Dr. Melamed. She adds that<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/prescription\/magnesium\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">magnesium<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> \u2014 specifically magnesium l-threonate and magnesium glycinate \u2014 can also have a calming effect similar to <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">CBT<\/span><a href=\"https:\/\/pmc.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov\/articles\/PMC8475916\/\"> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">is considered a first-line therapy for anxiety<\/span><\/a><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> because sessions are focused on identifying and systematically restructuring negative thoughts and behaviors. CBT treatments might also involve controlled exposure therapy for people with specific triggers for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">panic attacks<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">.<\/span><\/p>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">As for <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supplements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, placebo-controlled studies on <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over-the-counter<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> remedies and herbs for anxiety are limited. <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Supplements<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> don\u2019t work like <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and their quality and efficacy might vary from brand to brand. It\u2019s a good idea to consult a <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before taking any new anxiety medication, even an <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">over-the-counter<\/span> <span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">supplement<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, especially if you are also taking other medications.\u00a0<\/span><\/p>\n<h2 id=\"the-bottom-line\"><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">The bottom line<\/span><\/h2>\n<p><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">Propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> is sometimes prescribed to treat the <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">physical symptoms of anxiety<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">: tremors, rapid <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">heart rate<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">, and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">high blood pressure<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. People taking <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> for anxiety should consult their <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> before discontinuing this medication. Quitting <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> cold turkey can cause rebound anxiety and <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">withdrawal symptoms<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">. In most cases, <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">propranolol<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> can be successfully tapered and then discontinued in a matter of weeks. Communicating regularly with your <\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\">healthcare provider<\/span><span style=\"font-weight: 400;\"> throughout the weaning process is essential.<\/span><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Propranolol is a generic beta blocker also sold under the brand names Inderal, InnoPran, and Hemangeol. It is approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat high blood pressure, fast heartbeats, and essential tremor (ET). Because it suppresses the central nervous system\u2019s \u201cfight or flight hormones,\u201d propranolol is sometimes prescribed off-label for anxiety, [&hellip;]<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":137,"featured_media":630940,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_acf_changed":false,"footnotes":""},"categories":[4589],"tags":[9777],"coauthors":[20942],"class_list":["post-630939","post","type-post","status-publish","format-standard","has-post-thumbnail","hentry","category-drug-info","tag-anxiety","wpautop"],"acf":[],"yoast_head":"<!-- This site is optimized with the Yoast SEO Premium plugin v27.4 (Yoast SEO v27.4) - https:\/\/yoast.com\/product\/yoast-seo-premium-wordpress\/ -->\n<title>How to stop taking propranolol for anxiety<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Propranolol should be tapered under the supervision of your healthcare provider to prevent rebound anxiety and heart problems. Here\u2019s what you should know.\" \/>\n<meta name=\"robots\" content=\"index, follow, max-snippet:-1, max-image-preview:large, max-video-preview:-1\" \/>\n<link rel=\"canonical\" href=\"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/how-to-stop-taking-propranolol-for-anxiety\/\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:locale\" content=\"en_US\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:type\" content=\"article\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:title\" content=\"How to stop taking propranolol for anxiety\" \/>\n<meta property=\"og:description\" content=\"Propranolol should be tapered under the supervision of your healthcare provider to prevent rebound anxiety and heart problems. 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