Can Propranolol make you feel weird? (5+ unwanted effects) 

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 make you feel weird?”. Propranolol is one of the most commonly prescribed beta-blockers which can be used to treat a variety of health related problems. 

However, this medicine may not suit everyone and can cause some disturbing side effects. This blog will cover everything there is to know about Propranolol. 

Can Propranolol make you feel weird? 

Yes, Propranolol can make you feel weird. This medication may cause unwanted side effects which can be psychological in nature. Such side effects can make you feel weird and overall sick. This is why it is always recommended to report your side effects to your healthcare provider.

Some people are naturally sensitive to medicines. Whenever they take any med, they literally start to feel weird and unwell. Their body constantly makes them feel that they have consumed a foreign object that is not a normal of our physiology. 

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. Inform what kind of health conditions you already have, what kind of health you usually have, and if there is any medication that you have been taking for any of your health conditions. 

Proper information can significantly help your doctor determine the safety and efficacy of Propranolol in your body. It can also help your doctor to determine the appropriate dose. Never miss out on such important details.

What is Propranolol and why is it prescribed? 

Propranolol is a beta-blocker or a beta-adrenergic blocker. It 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. This is what Propranolol works to counteract. It can be used for the treatment of the following health conditions:

Cardiovascular diseases 

Propranolol can be used primarily for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. As stated earlier, it works to inhibit the effects of adrenaline on your heart. 

This way, Propranolol helps to reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. It can also be used for the management of patients after a heart attack. It can be used to treat the following cardiac conditions:

  • High blood pressure 
  • Angina pectoris
  • Management of congestive heart failure 
  • Arrhythmia or irregular heart beat
  • Myocardial infarction 
  • Tachycardia 
  • Coronary artery diseases 

Migraine 

Propranolol can also be used for the management and treatment of migraine or vestibular migraine. Propranolol is believed to inhibit the pain mediators which cause nerve-racking headaches associated with migraine. 

It can also be combined with other meds to work in the prophylaxis of this condition. However, it may not work in the same way for every other individual. If you’re taking Propranolol for migraine and you’re seeing little to no effects, talk to your doctor right away.

Glaucoma 

Propranolol is also used to treat glaucoma. Glaucoma is a condition that is associated with increased intraocular pressure which can severely affect your eyes. 

Propranolol may help dilate the vessels to decrease intraocular pressure and provide relief in your condition. However, it is not recommended to start using Propranolol for the treatment of glaucoma without your doctor’s approval. 

Anxiety

Propranolol can also be used to treat anxiety and agitation. The medication is believed to calm you down. This is because Propranolol can reduce the amount of some of the excitatory chemicals in your body. 

This way, it can control the excessive neuronal firing in your brain and help calm your nerves down. However, make sure you’re not using Propranolol without your doctor’s approval. 

The proper dose and its frequency must be determined by the healthcare provider carefully and according to the severity of your condition. 

Essential tremors 

Propranolol can be used for the treatment of tremors. Propranolol (Inderal) has proven in various clinical trials that it can help control the severity and involuntary jerks in your body. 

However, still more research is required to completely understand the safety and efficacy of Propranolol in the treatment and management of tremors. This is why do not start using Propranolol for the treatment of tremors without your doctor’s approval. 

How to ensure the proper use of Propranolol? 

It is extremely important to ensure the proper use of Propranolol. Make sure you read the leaflet that is provided with the med. It can help you understand a lot of things. Some of the important points include:

  • Take Propranolol exactly as directed by your healthcare provider. 
  • Do not deviate from the prescribed dose. In case of overdose, immediately reach out to your doctor. Inform accurately how much drug has been taken and when. 
  • In case you have accidentally missed your Propranolol dose, you can take it as soon as you remember. If a lot of time has passed and your next dose is near then do not take the dose. Wait for the next one and take that one on time. Propranolol overdose can cause disturbing complications. 
  • Keep the bottle out of reach of children and pets. 
  • Report any sign of an allergic reaction right away. 
  • Do not stop using Propranolol abruptly. If you need to stop using this med, for some reason, talk to your healthcare provider. Your doctor will taper the dose to ensure safe withdrawal of Propranolol. 

People who should not use beta blockers include:

  • People suffering from asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) should not take Propranolol. This med can exacerbate their respiratory illness. 
  • People with diabetes. This medication lowers your heart rate and blood pressure, which is why a diabetic patient fails to detect when his or her blood sugar level drops. 
  • Pregnant women. Studies have indicated that Propranolol and other beta blockers can pass the placenta and act on the growing fetus, which is exactly why this medication is in Category C of pregnancy medications.
  • People with Peripheral vascular diseases. Propranolol should not be used in people who suffer from poor blood flow to several other body parts. This is because Propranolol can end up exacerbating the poor blood flow because the drug further lowers down the heart rate and blood pressure. 

Conclusion 

In this blog post, we have discussed how Propranolol can make you feel weird. This medication may cause unwanted side effects which can be psychological in nature. Such side effects can make you feel weird and overall sick. 

This is why it is always recommended to talk to your healthcare provider about your side effects. Some people are naturally sensitive to medicines. Whenever they take any med, they literally start to feel weird and unwell. 

Their body constantly makes them feel that they have consumed a foreign object that is not a normal of our physiology. Always make sure you don’t use Propranolol or any other medication without your doctor’s approval. 

If you are using Propranolol, do not stop using it suddenly. It is one of those beta-blockers which is associated with disturbing symptoms after abrupt withdrawal. 

FAQs: propranolol makes me feel weird 

Does propranolol make you feel high?

Propranolol is not that much of an addictive medicine to take. It can not possibly make you feel ‘high’. However, Propranolol can be used to treat anxiety. This is because Propranolol can reduce the amount of some of the excitatory chemicals in your body. This way, it can control the excessive neuronal firing in your brain and help calm your nerves down. However, make sure you’re not using Propranolol without your doctor’s approval.

Does it take time to adjust to propranolol?

Yes, it may take some time for your body to completely adjust to Propranolol. You may suffer from some side effects at first, but they usually begin to subside within a few days of your treatment. 

However, always make sure you don’t use Propranolol or any other medication without your doctor’s approval. If you are using Propranolol, do not stop using it suddenly. It is one of those beta-blockers which is associated with disturbing symptoms after abrupt withdrawal. 

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. 

Is 10mg propranolol enough for anxiety?

Propranolol is usually started from the dose of 80mg per day for adults. However, the dose can be adjusted according to the severity of your condition and based on the fact how well your body can tolerate this medication. The dose should not be more than 240mg per day. In case of children, dose is determined by the healthcare provider according to the body weight and severity of the condition. 

Does propranolol help you relax?

Yes, Propranolol does help you feel relaxed. It can be used as an anti-anxiety medication and help calm you down to some extent. Studies have shown that Propranolol does possess some anxiolytic properties and it can control the excessive neuronal firing in your brain. However, there are other, better anti-anxiety meds available to treat your anxiety other than Propranolol. 

References 

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