HWN Suggests

The Pill That Women Are Taking for Everything From Speeches to First Dates

Approved by the Food and Drug Administration in 1967 to treat symptoms of cardiovascular disease, propranolol has become the go-to pill for dealing with all sorts of stressful situations, from public speaking to first dates. Prescriptions are on the rise, up 28 percent from 2020, according to the most recent data from IQVIA, making propranolol—a generic drug that is relatively inexpensive—the fastest-growing pill in the category. By slowing down heart rate and lowering blood pressure, the drug can reduce the physical symptoms of anxiety, though it has not been approved by the FDA to treat the condition. Most people take it situationally; musicians and actors, for instance, have long relied on…

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Featured

 Propranolol: A 50-Year Historical Perspective

The invention of the beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist, propranolol, by Sir James Black in the 1960s revolutionized the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. For his work, Sir James Black was awarded Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1988. His work, to find a way to reduce myocardial oxygen demand in patients with reduced oxygen supply due to arterial disease, began in 1958. Sir James Black has credited the Ahlquist's theory for his work, which led to the development of propranolol. Until propranolol was invented, the only drugs available to treat angina were nitrates, which were effective only partially. Soon, it was discovered that propranolol is not only effective in the treatment of angina, but it also has therapeutic effects in other cardiovascular conditions such as hypertension, myocardial infarction, and arrhythmias.

Articles of Interest

Using Propranolol for Migraines, Anxiety, High Blood Pressure

Propranolol is a medication developed more than 50 years ago by a British scientist called Sir James Black to treat angina pectoris (chest pain). Since then, propranolol has become a commonly-used treatment, effective for several cardiovascular and non-cardiovascular conditions.

Why I Will Use Inderal

I know, I know: its use is viewed with jaundiced eye by many professional musicians. Some consider that no musician worth his violin strings would even think of using it. After all, a professional musician should learn to deal with performance anxiety, right? Drugs like Inderal dull the edge of a performance and just show the weakness of the individual, don't they?

Massive Propranolol Overdose

Massive propranolol overdose is perhaps one of the most challenging overdoses to manage.

Propanolol Overdose

Propranolol overdose is managed primarily as a tricyclic antidepressant overdose (as early life-threats are due to its sodium-channel blocking effects) and secondarily as a beta-blocker overdose.

ToxCard: Propranolol

Seizures are more likely to occur with propranolol than other beta blockers. First line therapy is benzodiazepines. Consider activated charcoal if patients present shortly after their overdose (1-2 hours) and without risks for aspiration. For seizures, benzodiazepines are first-line therapy followed by barbiturates. For QRS prolongation > 100 msec, consider starting with 1-2 mEq/kg of sodium bicarbonate IV push and reassess for QRS improvement.

Are There Any Propranolol Side Effects?

Propranolol (Inderal) is commonly used by professional performers off-script to help with performance anxiety, stage fright & social anxiety symptoms. As the beta blocker Propranolol is so common among musicians, public speakers, and other performers, in this article we investigate if there are any Propranolol side effects to be aware of, how severe they are and alternatives available to those seeking help with their performance anxiety symptoms.

Exploring the Worst Side Effects of Inderal

As with any medication, Inderal is associated with a range of potential side effects. It is important to note that not everyone will experience these side effects, and their severity may vary from person to person. Some common side effects of Inderal include fatigue, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, and diarrhea. These symptoms are usually mild and transient, disappearing as the body adjusts to the medication. On the other hand, side effects such as bradycardia (slow heart rate), low blood pressure, and cold extremities are less common but may occur.

How long for propranolol to take effect?

Propranolol is mostly used to treat various heart conditions such as an irregular heartbeat and hypertension, which further down the line can help lower your blood pressure. It can also be used to treat chest pains and to improve your heart’s function after a heart attack. Another condition that Propranolol can treat is benign essential tremors (BET).

I feel panic to face people in public. Is it fine to take Inderal?

If your blood pressure and pulse rate are normal then the drug should be started with 10 mg dose and can be increased to 20 mg. The drug can be taken on SOS basis (as and when necessary) like about half to one hour before presentation. This will help to control the autonomic symptoms and you will feel better. No, the medicine is not addictive. It is very safe and does not cause abuse.

Pfizer recalls Inderal-LA (propranolol hydrochloride) capsules due to a nitrosamine impurity

As with previous recalls involving nitrosamine impurities, Health Canada is advising that there is no immediate risk in continuing to take the recalled Inderal-LA medication since the potential risk of cancer is with long-term exposure (every day for 70 years) to the nitrosamine impurity above the acceptable level. Patients can continue to take their medication as prescribed by their health care provider and do not need to return their medication to their pharmacy...

Resources

Propanolol.com

At Propranolol.com we have a simple mission. Empower people to take control of their health and democratize access to life changing medications. We believe that while Propranolol is not right for everyone, making it available online will help millions of people improve their lives. All content on Propranolol.com has been written or reviewed by a group of US licensed physicians who are passionate about educating people about propranolol and advocating for its safe and responsible use.

Inderal LA

INDERAL® LA (propranolol hydrochloride) Long-Acting Capsules are a beta adrenergic blocker indicated for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), angina pectoris and hypertrophic subaortic stenosis.

Prescriber's Guide

Published online by Cambridge University Press: 19 October 2021.