Beta blockers are a type of medication used to treat high blood
pressure and heart problems. However, beta blockers are also prescribed
off-label for anxiety. Beta blockers work by blocking the effects of
norepinephrine, a stress hormone involved in the fight-or-flight response.
This
helps control the physical symptoms of anxiety such as rapid heart rate, a
trembling voice, sweating, dizziness, and shaky hands.
Because beta blockers don’t affect the emotional symptoms of
anxiety such as worry, they’re most helpful for phobias, particularly social
phobia and performance anxiety. If you’re anticipating a specific
anxiety-producing situation (such as giving a speech), taking a beta blocker in
advance can help reduce your “nerves.”
Beta blockers include drugs such as propranolol (Inderal) and
atenolol (Tenormin).
Common side effects include:
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§ Light-headedness
§ Sleepiness
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§ Nausea
§ Unusually slow pulse
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