Should I take Propranolol (Inderal) when I have a history of depression?

I am currently taking Propranolol (Inderal) 40mg for social anxiety, but I have been reading up on it and have found that a side effect can be depression. I am not currently on antidepressants and have not taken any regularly for about 1 year but have been on and off Prozac since I was 17 (now 23). The Propranolol (Inderal) is not taken daily it is only taken before encountering stressful situations. I would like to know the risks in relation to depression and whether I should consider reducing my dose or changing to another drug such as Atenolol (Tenormin)?

[Roger Gould, M.D.]

Using as intermittent doses should not lead to depression. It is always a good idea to use it as infrequently as possible and at the lowest dose that works.