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Asthma and Allergy (Expert Forum)
Safe to take Inderal?
Answered by
CO
This forum is for questions and support regarding: Allergies, Asthma, Chronic Cough, Sinusitis, and other Respiratory Disorders.
Safe to take Inderal?
by lea14, Aug 19, 2009 07:40PM
My doctor prescribed 20mg of Inderal daily for a public speaking phobia and anxiety. When I take it, I find that it's slightly more difficult to breathe and that I have an itchy feeling in my chest w/ a minor dry cough. I have always had mild asthma, though for the last several years, it has been extremely well controlled. I have only used albuterol once in the past 3-4 years. I've never visited a hospital for an asthma attack. I'm wondering if it's safe for me to take Inderal given its propensity to exacerbate asthma and whether my asthma would worsen while taking it? I don't want to give it up b/c it's so effective in treating the previously mentioned conditions. We had a plan for me to take it temporarily until I could engage in some exposure therapy to overcome my fears. What to do?? My doc said to keep taking it, that my symptoms were probably just anxiety, but I assured her that I really thought it was the medicine, so she said to stop taking it for peace of mind. Problem is that without it, I have no peace of mind.
Doctor's Answer
by National Jewish Health, Aug 24, 2009 09:42AM
, Aug 24, 2009 09:42AMTo: lea14
Yes, Inderal and similar drugs (beta blockers) can worsen asthma, at least to the extent of causing acute worsening of breathing, for a few hours after the drug is taken. However, I know of no evidence that using this drug in this fashion has any effect on the long-term (months-years) course of asthma. I assume that you are taking the short-acting form of the drug and, in that instance, the symptoms you describe should subside in several hours. Another possibility would be to attempt to counter-act the untoward effects of Inderal by also taking a couple puffs of albuterol, but you would want to check this out with your doctor, before giving that a try.
I have had some experience with patients who opted to take Inderal for performance anxiety and got relief. I mention this because, in those instances, we found that a surprisingly small dose, of 5-10 mg of the drug, would provide the desired effect, and not cause any respiratory problems. You might want to discuss this with your doctor.
Good luck
I have had some experience with patients who opted to take Inderal for performance anxiety and got relief. I mention this because, in those instances, we found that a surprisingly small dose, of 5-10 mg of the drug, would provide the desired effect, and not cause any respiratory problems. You might want to discuss this with your doctor.
Good luck
