Posted by Number42 on June 6, 2009, at 20:51:42
In reply to Re: Anyone have luck w/Propranolol for social anxi » floatingbridge, posted by yxibow on June 6, 2009, at 20:32:10
> > Hi 42,
> >
> > I Have social anxiety. Don't know the med you mentioned. Am curious. Good luck.
> >
> > Candace
>
> Its a beta blocker used for a variety of purposes.
>
> Because its non-cardioselective (most older ones are), it doesn't affect the heart as much, and also affects the peripherals, arms, etc, shakiness, symptoms of some types of anxiety disorders.
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> It is not like a benzodiazepine because it does not target one of the key receptors in anxiety, GABA.
>
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> Instead it targets symptoms.
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> So it is used by doctors who don't want to prescribe benzodiazepines, but also for EPS from antipsychotics (pseudoparkinsonism/shakiness, etc), and for anxiety disorders.
>
> Its typically used PRN, as in as necessary.
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> If you take it consistently, you have to discontinue it consistently, not because of habituation particularly, but because it affects the heart, pulse, blood pressure.
>
> If you naturally have low pulse/low blood pressure it is probably not the best idea for an agent, or the lowest dose should be used.
>
> Fainting is a possibility though not a huge one, but one to monitor -- in the first days or weeks you should monitor your blood pressure/pulse if you can with fairly cheap and reliable OTC cuff meters from pharmacies.
>
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> It can make one feel colder, and it has been known to worsen depression, though I haven't particularly felt this, but it does sometimes alter other symptoms.
>
>
> It is most known for using for "stage fright", just before a performance. There, the beta blocker naive, must remember that they are taking a heart agent.
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>
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> This all being said, yes, it is used in GAD and other conditions.
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> Other agents that are similar are nadolol and timolol but propranolol is by far the most useful and most prescribed I would say.
>
> -- Jay
>Thanks Jay, you sure do know your meds!
#42
poster:Number42
thread:899700
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20090531/msgs/899744.html