Inderal

[Carey01]

Does anyone take Inderal(Propanolol) for heart skips/palps?  My Dr wants me to take it as needed when I really start feeling the skips.  Is this safe?  Any side effects to taking it on and off?  Does anyone else use it as needed???

[WorrierToo]

[WorrierToo]

Sorry, I sent that one by mistake.  Anyway, what I wanted to say was that I take Inderal because my heart was beating very fast and making me anxious.  I didnt really feel and skips or double beats, just kind of a fast fluttery feeling sometimes.  Then I started taking the Inderal and it slowed my heart down to 72 beats per minute and it stays pretty steady, but now I feel the skipping and stopping feeling.  I guess I probably had them all along, but I just didn't feel the skipping and stopping so much, but now with it slower it's more obvious that it's doing it.  I wouldnt say it stops the palpitations, but It just slows me down and chills me out and they dont bother me as much.  The other thing about the Inderal is it makes me tired all the time.  I take 20 mg. 3 times a day so Im thinking of going down to 10mg 3 times to see if im not as tired all the time, but before when I took 10, my heart still raced a little. Everyone is different so youll react different from me Im sure.  Good luck, try it, you dont have to keep taking it if you dont like it.

[heartfluttersflyawayplz]

years ago i started out on inderal when i first got my pac/flutters and it did help i took it for years but than my dr switched me . so its a good med just try it and see how it does you . i was tired when i first started taking it to , i think mine were 10 mg twice a day and more if i needed it . good luck .

[RCA7591]

Carey,

Beta-Blockers are not indicated for "as needed" use, although Propranolol (Inderal) is commonly used in this manner to prevent "performance anxiety" or "stage fright". Using it once or twice a month isn't a problem, but using it for extended periods is not a great idea.

Inderal is non-selective, it blocks the effects of Catecholamines (adrenaline) on the nervous system and on the myocardium. If it is used for prolonged periods, and then stopped abruptly, there will be a "rebound" effect, a "surge" of Catecholamines. The effects would be rebound high blood pressure, tachycardia, palpitations, and nervousness.

Therefore, if you want to take a beta-blocker, Inderal is a good choice, but it should be taken twice daily, every day. It is even more effective when combined with an anxiolytic, such as Klonopin. The two work in concert to treat both the anxiety and overactive sympathetic activity that causes the premature beats. Inderal 20-40 mg, bid and Klonopin 0.5 mg, bid is the typical regimen for someone presenting with cardiac manifestations of anxiety.

-Ryan

[Carey01]

Thanks for the answers.  I am concerned that starting the Propanolol will make the skips worse.  My doc said it will go one way or the other (gee thanks!)  SO I guess I have to just try it and if I hate it I wont take it again.

Ryan,

I was prescribed Prop for an as needed basis -- but long term.  I actually have HBP so a rebound would be not good.  I didnt want to take an anti anxiety because they make me loopy and I cant have that with my job.  Seems damned if you do and damned if you dont!

[MHE]

I have taken Inderal for 30 years for MVP with an irregular heart beat. I honestly can not live without it because I feel my heart beat when I am late taking it. I take 20 mg. 2 x a day. The only drawback is I am extremely tired but if it relieves the irregular heartbeat I can live with that. MHE

[OneScaredBuckeye]

I have taken 20 mg. of Inderal for years, too, and I have absolutely no bad side effects from it.  I know it can cause shortness of breath, though.  That's one of it's major drawbacks.  It can also raise cholesterol, although I don't think this has ever happened to me.  My cholesterol is within normal range.

[mia193]

I took inderal years ago, and because my b/p is in the low 90's/50's-60's, i would feel sooo lightheaded.  Does anyone know if i tried a low dose, if would still lower my b/p more?  My cardiologist gave me lopressor to use as needed for palps and tachycardia, he said that it doesn't work immediately when you take it, but in about 20 min. or so, it should slow down the fast rhythms- i am too afraid to try it cause my b/p is so low-  any comments/suggestions?
thanks =

[OneScaredBuckeye]

I wouldn't take it with Inderal unless your doctor said to do so.  The lower the dose of anything, the fewer the side effects.

[mia193]

I was going to try the inderal in place of the lopressor, i just wasn't sure which is better for tachy/palps.... any ideas?