Rankings / Mood, Anxiety & Stress
Propranolol
Mood, Anxiety & Stress · Non-selective beta-blocker
Tier A-
Bottom line
Read Off Label grades Propranolol as A- (7.7/10) based on strong evidence, low-med benefit magnitude, and a low-risk safety profile.
Clinical studies support acute reduction of physical performance-anxiety symptoms without direct sedation.
Studied, labeled, or reported-use context: 10-40 mg PO 30-60 min before stressor (performance anxiety) — Rx; not individualized guidance.
What the evidence says
Clinical studies support acute reduction of physical performance-anxiety symptoms without direct sedation. Brunet's PTSD reconsolidation work used propranolol during trauma recall — meta-analyses mixed. Abrupt discontinuation can produce rebound effects.
Mechanism
Non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist; crosses BBB; reduces peripheral sympathetic symptoms (tremor, tachycardia) and central noradrenergic tone
Studied, labeled, or reported dose & route
10-40 mg PO 30-60 min before stressor (performance anxiety)
This records doses and routes described in studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use. It is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety; context changes with indication, formulation, health history, monitoring, and other medicines.
Citations
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Common questions
- What does the evidence show about Propranolol's effects?
- Read Off Label rates the evidence for Propranolol as Strong and the benefit magnitude as low-med, producing an overall grade of A- (7.7/10). Clinical studies support acute reduction of physical performance-anxiety symptoms without direct sedation.
- What safety findings are reported for Propranolol?
- Propranolol has a low risk profile in the database. Low (bradycardia, hypotension; contraindicated in asthma, severe bradycardia, decompensated HF) Legal status: Rx.
- What doses or routes are reported for Propranolol?
- 10-40 mg PO 30-60 min before stressor (performance anxiety) This is context from studies, approved labeling, clinical practice, or documented use; it is not individualized guidance and does not establish safety.
- How does Propranolol work?
- Non-selective beta-adrenergic antagonist; crosses BBB; reduces peripheral sympathetic symptoms (tremor, tachycardia) and central noradrenergic tone
This is an independent synthesis of published research by a non-clinician. Scores are opinions supported by citations, not prescriptions. See the full disclaimer and methodology for how this score was produced and what it does and doesn't mean.