Can Propranolol be used for vertigo? (3 research studies explained) 

By OptimistMinds
Page last updated: 14/12/2022 | Next review date: 14/12/2024

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The Optimistminds editorial team is made up of psychologists, psychiatrists and mental health professionals. Each article is written by a team member with exposure to and experience in the subject matter.  The article then gets reviewed by a more senior editorial member. This is someone with extensive knowledge of the subject matter and highly cited published material.


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In this blog post, we are going to answer the question, “Can Propranolol be used for vertigo?”. Propranolol is one of the most commonly prescribed beta-blockers which can be used to treat a variety of health conditions, including vertigo. 

This blog will cover the safety and efficacy of Propranolol in the treatment and management of vertigo. 

Can Propranolol be used for vertigo?

Yes, Propranolol can be used for the treatment and management of vertigo. However, Propranolol may not be a good choice of drug for vertigo in every other individual, but it can work amazingly well in some. Make sure you only use this medication if prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

All prescription meds should be used only when your doctor recommends it and only for the purpose it is given for. It is also recommended to stick to the recommended dose. Taking more than that can cause serious complications. 

What does research suggest? 

Several research studies have investigated the effects of Propranolol in treating vertigo. A 2016 study indicated that Propranolol can be used effectively in the treatment of vertigo. It can increase the flow of blood in your head and can cause vasodilation. 

This can reduce vertigo and other symptoms associated with it. Another study also indicated that Propranolol is a good choice of drug for the prophylaxis or prevention of vestibular migraine and all the symptoms related to this condition, including nausea and vertigo. 

The study defined the exact same mechanism of action as the previous study had revealed through which Propranolol works to relieve vertigo and related symptoms. A 2001 study performed a clinical trial. Like every clinical trial, two groups were made. 

One group was the control group which received placebo, while the test group received Propranolol. The purpose of the study was to check the effects of Propranolol on vertigo as all the test participants had vertigo. Some people had vertigo associated with migraine as well. 

After the study, it was concluded that Propranolol does provide promising results in the management of vertigo. However, it did not work for every single test participant. 

One of them developed an unusual allergic reaction due to which the trial was stopped right away for that participant. Some volunteers showed some side effects because of which their dose was adjusted. Some people surprisingly showed no therapeutic outcomes. 

This can clearly indicate that we can not expect one med to work in the exact same way for every other person. Some people may achieve their desired therapeutic response after taking Propranolol, but some might not. 

Similarly, that one case of an allergic reaction tells us how there is no way to predict how your body will react once it is exposed to Propranolol or any other medication. 

This is why the treatment with any medicine should be started from the lowest effective dose. Even if an allergic reaction occurs, the symptoms would be easier to manage in case of lower doses. 

Is there any tip that can help you with your vertigo?

There are a few tips that may help relieve some of the symptoms associated with vertigo. However, the only way to get rid of vertigo for good is to treat the underlying condition that’s causing it in the first place. Some of the tips that may help include:

Drink plenty of water

Hydration is one of the crucial keys to relieve some of the symptoms associated with vertigo. Water not only removes toxins from your body, but also increases your blood volume. 

Several researchers believe that water has a close association with vertigo. Many studies showed that people who had lesser water intake had more pronounced vertigo. 

Make sure you drink plenty of water. If water is too bland for you, you can add fruits in it to make a flavourful detox water. You can try adding lemons, cucumber, ginger, berries, kiwis, orange, etc.

Make some ginger tea

Ginger has been used as a home remedy for vertigo for decades now. This root vegetable is believed to possess some beneficial properties against vertigo, dizziness, or lightheadedness. 

Many researchers have also tested on ginger and they have revealed that it is a good addition to your diet if you suffer from vertigo very often. The best way is to use fresh ginger root instead of some marketed powder or extract. 

You can simply boil some water and add a piece of ginger in it. Turn off the stove and let it steep for a while. This will make ginger release all the goodness in your boiled water. Add a teaspoon of honey and enjoy your refreshing ginger tea. Give it a try, I’m sure you will see some good results. 

Know the importance of certain Vitamins

Vitamins should be an important part of your diet because your body does not generate them on its own. When it comes to vertigo, the symptoms are found to be more severe in people who are deficient in vitamin C, vitamin D and vitamin E. 

  • Common sources of vitamin C include grapefruits, oranges, bell peppers, berries and lemons. 
  • Common sources of vitamin D include sunlight, egg yolks, salmon, milk, liver, and cheese etc. 
  • Common sources of vitamin E include nuts, seeds, kiwis, wheat, barley and leafy green vegetables. 

Make sure you have good sleep hygiene 

Good sleep hygiene also plays an important role in the management of vertigo. If you don’t sleep well, your symptoms start to get much more severe. The same goes for migraine. When your body is not rested enough, whatever symptoms you have become much more highlighted. 

This is because as you sleep, your immune system replaces the worn out cells in your body with newly formed ones. When this process does not happen for a long time, you start getting generally sick all the time. 

What are the side effects associated with the use of Propranolol? 

Propranolol, like every other medication on this planet, is associated with some side effects. These side effects can affect people differently. Some people don’t even feel any difference after taking Propranolol, while others may feel significantly weird or unwell. 

Some of the common side effects of Propranolol include:

  • Xerostomia or dry mouth 
  • Nausea 
  • Vomiting 
  • Constipation 
  • Flatulence 
  • Acid reflux 
  • Depression 
  • Fatigue 
  • Lightheadedness 
  • Abnormal pain
  • Acid reflux 
  • Flu like symptoms 
  • Skin rash

Some serious side effects include:

  • Difficulty in breathing and chest tightness 
  • Swollen hands and feet as a result of an allergic reaction. 
  • Wheezing
  • Blackouts 
  • Unexplained weight gain or loss
  • Arrhythmia 

Always bear in mind that these side effects may not affect everyone in the same way. It is also very important to make sure that you are not using any other prescription medication along with your Propranolol. It is a strong beta-blocker. 

Sometimes it can be combined with other blood pressure lowering medications, but the combination may cause hypotension and may make your heart rate excessively slow. 

Propranolol can also react negatively with some other medications. This is why it is extremely important to give proper details and your medical history wherever you go to the doctor.

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed the safety and efficacy of Propranolol in the treatment and management of vertigo. However, Propranolol may not be a good choice of drug for vertigo in every other individual, but it can work amazingly in some. 

Make sure you only use this medication if prescribed by your healthcare provider. All prescription meds should be used only when your doctor recommends it and only for the purpose it is given for. It is also recommended to stick to the recommended dose. 

Taking more than that can cause serious complications. In case you exhibit any sign of an allergic reaction or any unusual side effect after taking your first ever Propranolol dose, immediately reach out to your healthcare provider. 

FAQs: propranolol for vertigo 

Can beta-blockers help vertigo?

Yes, beta-blockers can be used for the treatment and management of vertigo. However, beta-blockers may not be a good choice of drugs for vertigo in every other individual, but they can work amazingly in some. Make sure you only use these medications if prescribed by your healthcare provider. 

All prescription meds should be used only when your doctor recommends it and only for the purpose it is given for. It is also recommended to stick to the recommended dose. Taking more than that can cause serious complications. 

Can propranolol cause vertigo?

No, Propranolol does not cause vertigo. In fact, it can make vertigo associated with vestibular migraine a little better. It can also relieve some of the other migraine symptoms as well. A 2016 study indicated that Propranolol can be used effectively in the treatment of vertigo. It can increase the flow of blood in your head and can cause vasodilation. This can reduce vertigo and other symptoms associated with it. 

How does propranolol work for vestibular migraines?

Propranolol is a beta-blocker or a beta-adrenergic blocker. It primarily works by inhibiting the action of adrenaline or epinephrine, which is an important chemical related to the excitatory system in your body. 

Adrenaline can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and anxiety. In case of migraine, it can reduce the pressure in intracranial vessels and can inhibit some of the pain mediators that cause headaches and other related migraine symptoms. 

How much propranolol should I take for migraines?

The initial dose of Propranolol for migraine is around 40 mg. The dose can later be increased by the doctor according to the severity of your condition. However, it is not recommended to take more than what your healthcare provider has prescribed. 

How long does it take to stop taking Propranolol?

The duration of Propranolol withdrawal and the frequency of dose tapering can vary from person to person. Your doctor will recommend the appropriate time period until which your Propranolol will be tapered and then will be stopped. The time duration also depends on the health condition for which you started taking Propranolol in the first place. 

Does propranolol affect the mind?

Propranolol does possess some of the psychological side effects because of its ability to alter the amount of excitatory chemicals in your brain, through which it controls heart rate and anxiety. Propranolol has shown in some studies to cause memory loss in patients. This is why you should closely monitor your side effects while being treated with Propranolol. 

References 

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