Propranolol is a beta blocker occasionally used to treat performance anxiety. Its benefits appear similar to benzodiazepines in panic disorder with potentially fewer side effects.
It is used to treat high blood pressure, a number of types of irregular heart rate, thyrotoxicosis, capillary hemangiomas, performance anxiety, and essential tremors.
Propranolol is also used to prevent migraine headaches, and to prevent further heart problems in those with angina or previous heart attacks.
Various conditions the it is used for include:
- Hypertension
- Angina pectoris (with the exception of variant angina)
- Myocardial infarction
- Tachycardia (and other sympathetic nervous system symptoms, such as muscle tremor) associated with various conditions, including anxiety, panic, hyperthyroidism, and lithium therapy
- Portal hypertension, to lower portal vein pressure
- Prevention of esophageal variceal bleeding and ascites
- Anxiety
- Hypertrophic cardiomyopathy
