Experts have issued a safety warning for a popular anxiety medication that can cause ‘toxic’ effects, including attacks, depression and even cardiac arrest in high doses.
Beta blockers, such as propranolol, are traditionally prescribed for heart problems, but are increasingly being offered by doctors to treat episodes of anxiety – because they slow the heart rate, presumably reduce the physical symptoms of panic.
Recent British research showed the number of propananol recipes to treat the anxiety doubled between 2003 and 2018.
About 7 million recipes for the drug – which is also given for high blood pressure – are issued every year in the UK, according to official data.
But now experts say there is not alone “No proof” To prove that the drugs for anxiety work, too few patients, who usually receive large numbers of pills, are warned about the risk of overdose.
In a recent letter to The guardian, Pharmacist Christopher Sullivan warned that the drug is ‘associated with significant adverse results’ and insisted on GPS to practice ‘extreme caution when prescribing these drugs for anxiety’.
“Prescribing these medicines for anxiety is not recommended in national evidence-based guidelines,” he added.
GP’s comments followed Dr. Amir Khan, who told the newspaper that propananol was linked to ‘higher percentages of depression’ and warned general practitioners not to prescribe it to anxious patients who also suffer a low mood.
A pharmacist has insisted on caution when prescribing beta -blockers for anxiety
“If you take them in the long term, you can’t suddenly stop them,” he added. ‘You must be weaned from them. ‘
It is not thought that the risks relate to those who use the drug for heart problems and other physical problems such as migraine – but experts say that patients with psychological problems are vulnerable to accidentally or deliberately an overdose.
The pharmacist’s warning comes in the midst of two high -profile deaths with regard to the medicine, including casual overdoses.
In 2019, an investigation heard a mother of two, who was an NHS manager, accidentally an overdose on propranolol that she was initially prescribed for fear in 2018.
Philippa Hulme, 46, died less than two hours after taking the deadly dose, with tests with toxic levels in her system.
A statement from Mrs. Hulme’s doctor said: ‘Pippa had an fear of history and depression and was known to practice.
“In July 2018 she was prescribed anxiety medication – propranolol and got 60 tablets to take – one per day a maximum of two in 24 hours.”
The coroner concluded that her death was probably explained by a ‘worsening’ of fear that led her to ‘Remember that it would be useful if she took more tablets to help her with the fear.
Philippa Hulme, an NHS manager, took a fatal overdose of anti-anxiety medication in 2018 in 2018
“I don’t think she knew how toxic propranolol can be.”
Another heartbreaking matter is that of a mother-of-five that is supposed to have accidentally killed himself with propranolol.
A study from 2015 heard how Janine Southwell, 37, a former beauty therapist was prescribed the medicine, which she was ‘reckless’ about taking.
She was found dead in bed, in August in 2015, with almost five times the potentially fatal level of the medicine in her blood after a meal and a glass of wine with her cousin.
Her mother Janet Southwell said: ‘She didn’t take tablets when she had to, so she could have had a stock. ‘
The coroner, Alan Walsh, concluded that Mrs. Southwell was not going to end her life.
The new warnings follow guidance published by The General Pharmaceutical Council in October last year that warned of the ‘Wide variation ‘in the reaction of individuals at toxic levels of propanolol.
“Peak plasma concentrations of propranolol occur 1-2 hours after intake, so symptoms of overdose will not be seen immediately,” was the warning.
‘Fast deterioration can occur after a propranolol overdose, this can include confusion and loss of consciousness, as well as cardiovascular complications, including cardiac arrest.
‘Since propranolol can cross the blood -brain barrier, the risk of convulsions is higher than with other beta -blockers.
“Delay in treatment increases the risk of fatal, which is why it is important to seek auxiliary assistance after overdose as quickly as possible.”
The danger of poisonous propranolol -overdose was a subject of the report of health care safety investigation in 2020.
This report showed that vulnerable patients with existing migraine, anxiety and depression run the risk of using propranolol for self -harm.
In 2022 to 2023, the National Poisons Information Service (NPIs) received 358 questions regarding deliberate propranolol overdose.
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