A beta-blocker for anxiety
Beta-blockers prevent adrenaline, from making contact with your beta receptors, limiting your body’s physical reactions to anxiety. These reactions can include a racing heartbeat, shaky voice or hands, or sweating. By reducing some of these physical reactions, propranolol can help you feel less anxious.
Beta-blockers such as Propranolol are FDA approved to treat high blood pressure, angina and certain other conditions. Treatment for these conditions is not currently offered through hims. Propranolol and other beta-blockers are not specifically approved by the FDA for treatment of anxiety disorders and use of Propranolol for performance anxiety is an ‘off-label use.
Important Safety Information
Prescription products are subject to healthcare provider approval and require an online consultation with a healthcare provider after checkout who will determine if a prescription is appropriate. Take the medication as prescribed.
Call your doctor immediately if you have slow or uneven heartbeats, a light-headed feeling like you might passout, wheezing or trouble breathing, shortness of breath, swelling, or rapid weight gain, sudden weakness, vision problems, or loss of coordination, cold feeling in your hands and feet, depression, hallucinations or confusion, liver problems (nausea, itching, fatigue, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice), low blood sugar (headache, hunger, weakness, sweating, confusion, irritability, dizziness, fast heart rate, feeling jittery), fever, facial swelling, skin pain and rash associated with blistering.
How propranolol works
Propranolol is a beta-blocker that works by blocking the effects of adrenaline — the hormone your body releases when you feel stressed or nervous. By doing so, it helps control the physical symptoms of anxiety, such as a racing heart, trembling hands, sweating, and that tight feeling in your chest. Taken 30 to 60 minutes before a stressful event, Propranolol can help ease performance anxiety during your big moment — whether it's a major presentation at work, a high-stakes job interview, a public speech, or any situation where you need to feel calm and collected. It doesn't make you drowsy or numb your emotions; it simply quiets the body's physical stress response so you can focus on performing at your best.
What are the possible side effects of this medicine
Side effects that you should report to your care team as soon as possible:
- Allergic reactions--skin rash, itching, hives, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat
- Heart failure--shortness of breath, swelling of the ankles, feet, or hands, sudden weight gain, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Low blood pressure--dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, blurry vision
- Raynaud's--cool, numb, or painful fingers or toes that may change color from pale, to blue, to red
- Redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
- Slow heartbeat--dizziness, feeling faint or lightheaded, confusion, trouble breathing, unusual weakness or fatigue
- Worsening mood, feelings of depression Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your care team if they continue or are bothersome):
- Change in sex drive or performance
- Diarrhea
- Dizziness
- Fatigue
- Headache
Frequently Asked Questions
How long does it take for propranolol work?
How long does it take for propranolol work?
Most people who take propranolol will notice its effects within 30 to 60 minutes of ingestion. Effects will be noticeable for about three to four hours after you take propranolol.
What drugs interact with propranolol?
What drugs interact with propranolol?
Use of the following drugs while taking propranolol may cause an increased risk of adverse side effects and is generally not recommended. Talk to your healthcare professional before using propranolol if you are taking CYP2D6-, CYP2C19, or CYP1A2- inhibitors (ex: Paroxetine, Fluoxetine, Bupropion, Quinidine, Fluvoxamine, Enoxamine, Ciprofloxacin, Ticlopidine, Fluconazole), CYP1A2 or CYP2C19 inducers (ex: Phenytoin and Montelukast), alpha blockers (ex: Prazosin), nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (ex: ibuprofen), amide anesthetics (ex: lidocaine, bupivacaine, mepivacaine), MAO inhibitors, or tricyclic antidepressants.
Also, check with a healthcare professional before taking propranolol if you are currently taking any of the following: Warfarin, Propafenone, Cholestyramine, Colestipol, Clonidine, Dobutamine, Epinephrine (as propranolol can decrease the effectiveness of epinephrine pens for allergic reaction), Propafenone, Pravastatin, Lovastatin, Zolmitriptan, Rizatriptan, Thioridazine, Diazepam, Theophylline, Diltiazem, Digoxin, Chlorpromazine, Cimetidine, Aluminum hydroxide, Nifedipine, Nisoldipine or Nicardipine. Propranolol interactions with these medications can drastically alter the effectiveness of each, as well as propranolol itself.
What are the side effects of propranolol?
What are the side effects of propranolol?
Like any other medicine, propranolol has side effects that you should be aware of:
- chest pain
- lightheadedness
- slow heartbeat or irregular heartbeat
- heart attack
- allergic reaction
- fever
- hair loss
- lightheadedness
- tiredness
- weight gain
If you experience increasing or more serious side effects, such as allergic reaction, difficulty breathing, loss of vision, or heart failure, seek immediate medical attention. If side effects increase or become bothersome day to day, seek medical advice.
Who should not take propranolol?
Who should not take propranolol?
You should not take propranolol without talking to a healthcare professional if you have medical conditions such as:
- diabetes
- low blood sugar
- low blood pressure
- a serious heart condition called Sick Sinus Syndrome
- heart disease
- history of irregular heartbeat or heart rate
- other heart problems
- kidney disease
- hyperthyroidism or another thyroid condition
Do I need a prescription to buy propranolol online?
Do I need a prescription to buy propranolol online?
Yes, a prescription is required in order to get propranolol online legally and safely. Hims gives you access to a propranolol prescription online if medically appropriate and we can ship directly to you, no pharmacy trips required.