This site is intended for healthcare professionals

Go to /sign-in page

You can view 5 more pages before signing in

Beta blockers and anxiety

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

Authoring team

Beta - blockers such as propranolol may sometimes be used in the management of the physical symptoms of anxiety.

Propranolol in anxiety (1,2,3):

  • non - sedative. No dependence or abuse

  • does not help psychological symptoms. High doses may lead to cardiac side effects

  • recommended adult dosing in the UK is 40mg once daily, increased to 40mg three times daily if necessary
    • standard licensed doses (these may need to be individualised according to patient response and disease state - eg, hepatic or renal impairment).
    • unless specifically provided, doses for the elderly are the same as for adults

  • licensed for anxiety with somatic symptoms

Consult the summary of product characteristics before prescribing propranolol.

Reference:

  1. South West Yorkshire Partnership NHS Trust. Guidelines for the pharmacological treatment of anxiety (Accessed 8/7/2014)
  2. MIMS. GPonline.com (Accessed 8/7/2014)
  3. Heaton LJ et al. Propranolol and D-cycloserine as adjunctive medications in reducing dental fear in sedation practice. SAAD Dig. 2010 Jan;26:27-35.

Create an account to add page annotations

Add information to this page that would be handy to have on hand during a consultation, such as a web address or phone number. This information will always be displayed when you visit this page

The content herein is provided for informational purposes and does not replace the need to apply professional clinical judgement when diagnosing or treating any medical condition. A licensed medical practitioner should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions.

Connect

Copyright 2024 Oxbridge Solutions Limited, a subsidiary of OmniaMed Communications Limited. All rights reserved. Any distribution or duplication of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited. Oxbridge Solutions receives funding from advertising but maintains editorial independence.