Stopping daily propranolol

[SolitaryMind]

So I’ve taken Propranolol for 5 years for anxiety 40mg a day. Last week I started experiencing very low heart rates and dizziness. I called my GP who said to stop the tablets and see if it improved. I asked if it was safe to stop suddenly and he assured me it was as it was not prescribed for cardiac reasons.

Im now 4 days off it but getting horrible palpitations, I’m very shaky, and although my heart rate is normal it shoots up with the slightest movement. Has anyone else come off this dose and knows how long it usually takes to get back to normal?

Thanks

I believe it starts to work within a few hours.

I'm on 80mg of propanol & if I go 2 days without it I start getting the shakes, then I get palpitations then I get vertigo, that's coupled with my anxiety coming back as well. That's as far as I go coz I never let myself run out now if I can help it. They do genuinely work for me so don't want to come off them but I have read (& a nurse told me) that you should wean yourself off them as the withdrawals can be quite bad & in some people do more damage than good. I'd speak to your gp again & if he still thinks coming off them is for the best them do it gradually.

If you start taking them again they kick in within a few hrs, I think the lower doses are quicker than the higher doses as well

Yep, rebound tachycardia - your dr is an idiot and you should have been guided to come off them gradually to avoid this, it's even in the bloody literature!

I am only on 10g but was told to come off them very gradually and not stop suddenly - started by missing one every third day - then second day etc