I saw my GP a few weeks ago and he gave me propranolol 40mg three times a day. I got enough for 4 weeks, it finished yesterday morning. I called my surgery on Wednesday and asked if I was to stay on it. The receptionist asked me what pharmacy to send it to as no one is allowed into the surgery unless you have an appointment. I went to the pharmacy yesterday and it’s not been sent to them. I’m now back to being shaky and have a high heart rate again. I’ve been on carbimazole for 2 weeks now. Is it normal to give it just for a few weeks?
I’m going to call again tomorrow as the propranolol helps so much with my heart rate and shakes.
Written by
Chi68
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Speak to the pharmacist and ask if they can contact the doctor's office. Plus ask if they can give you enough to last a few days pending the prescription. You shouldn't be left like this.And perhaps in future, your doctor should not be writing a prescription for only four weeks.
Propranolol is often chosen in conjunction with anti thyroid medication as its known to have a mild anti thyroid affect and can lower FT3. This is due to reprioritising the conversion of T4 to RT3 over T3, so it helpful for hyperthyroid (not for hypothyroid).
Its main purpose is it relieve symptoms until carbimazole has brought down levels ie the cause of symptoms. So often it is intended to be temporary.
I had to resume propranolol after specialist instructed me to stop it. It should not be stopped abruptly, (it made me quite unwell with migraines) I still take a low dose now for migraine prevention.
As it seems to help your symptoms I think you need to arrange another prescription urgently.
Reduce dose slowly when you intend to stop. I was taking 3x 40mg and I slowly reduced to 3x 10mg. but I’m quite sensitive to it and must take on time. If I do get a migraine I take extra.
Propranolol should not be stopped suddenly. Just quoting one product:
As with other beta-adrenoceptor blocking agents, treatment should not be discontinued abruptly. The dosage should be withdrawn gradually over a period of 7 to 14 days. Either the equivalent dosage of another beta-adrenoceptor blocker may be substituted or the withdrawal of propranolol should be gradual. Patients should be followed during withdrawal especially those with ischaemic heart disease. The risk/benefit of stopping beta blockade should be made for each patient.
Your GP surgery should have ensured the prescription was delivered to the pharmacy in time. And the pharmacist should have been concerned enough to discuss with you and offer at least a few tablets to stop this sudden withdrawal.
Contacted my surgery this morning and was told the prescription was only signed on Friday so didn’t make it to the pharmacy before the weekend. I’ve now collected it
You shouldn’t come off it until your heart rate has slowed down. I use my Apple Watch to decide when to wean of usually three months after hyperthyroid blood result.
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