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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Propranolol Taken For Essential Tremor

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Posted on Fri, 20 May 2016
Question: can you tell me what the recomended dose of proponolol is for treating essential tremor as i am currentley taking 160mg once a day for a few years but i keep going through episodes of fe
eling unwell like am going to faint i have fainted on 2 occasions the last year is it possible i am having side effects from too strong of a dose
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (52 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
it may cause bradycardia

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

propranolol may indeed cause side effects, like the ones you've described. A slow heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure are potential side effects. You shouldn't take more of the drug if your heart rate drops below 50-55 beats per minute or if you have a very low blood pressure and experience postural hypotension or similar problems.

Dosages between 60-240mg per day are enough for 3 out of 4 patients with essential tremor. Raising the dosage above 320mg per day does not confer any additional benefit. Most patients require high dosages (between 240-320mg per day). Just be cautious about your heart rate and blood pressure.

I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.

Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (15 minutes later)
thanks for you answer the last doctor that replied on this foroum said it couldnt be proponolol causing it but i have had ecg blood tests and blood pressure done and they where all fine but i find i get very dehydrated after taking it morning should i suggest to my gp to lower my dose back to 80mg which i was originaly on at the start
doctor
Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (9 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
you can try reducing the dosage to see what happens

Detailed Answer:
Since there is no strict dosage (the dosage is individualized) you can try reducing it gradually to see what happens, provided that the lower dosage is sufficient to control your tremor. The symptoms are totally justified as side effects but - of course - investigation is required to exclude other causes like arrhythmia for example.

I don't see any connection between dehydration and propranolol use...

Kind Regards!

Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
doctor
Answered by
Dr.
Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis

Internal Medicine Specialist

Practicing since :1999

Answered : 3814 Questions

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Suggest The Ideal Dosage For Propranolol Taken For Essential Tremor

Brief Answer: it may cause bradycardia Detailed Answer: Hello, propranolol may indeed cause side effects, like the ones you've described. A slow heart rate (bradycardia) and low blood pressure are potential side effects. You shouldn't take more of the drug if your heart rate drops below 50-55 beats per minute or if you have a very low blood pressure and experience postural hypotension or similar problems. Dosages between 60-240mg per day are enough for 3 out of 4 patients with essential tremor. Raising the dosage above 320mg per day does not confer any additional benefit. Most patients require high dosages (between 240-320mg per day). Just be cautious about your heart rate and blood pressure. I hope you find my comments helpful! You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information. Kind Regards!