Inderal Withdrawal & Tapering Guide
propranolol
In short
Inderal (propranolol) is an Other with a half-life of 3-6 hours (IR); 8-10 hours (LA). Slow taper — abrupt discontinuation in cardiac patients can precipitate angina or arrhythmia. Withdrawal symptoms, when they occur, usually begin 1-3 days and settle within 2-4 weeks. It is also sold as Hemangeol.
- Class
- Other
- Half-life
- 3-6 hours (IR); 8-10 hours (LA)
- Common doses
- 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg tablets; 60mg, 80mg, 120mg, 160mg LA capsules; oral solution
- Withdrawal onset
- 1-3 days
- Typical resolution
- 2-4 weeks
Educational reference only. Dose changes are decided with the prescriber who knows your history.
Overview
Propranolol is a non-selective beta-blocker used for performance anxiety, akathisia, essential tremor, migraine prevention, and PTSD-related hyperarousal. It dampens the peripheral physical symptoms of anxiety (racing heart, tremor, sweating) without affecting cognitive symptoms.
10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg tablets; 60mg, 80mg, 120mg, 160mg LA capsules; oral solution
Tablets IR: 10mg, 20mg, 40mg, 60mg, 80mg; LA capsules: 60mg, 80mg, 120mg, 160mg; Oral solution: 4mg/mL, 8mg/mL
Category C
Mechanism of Action
Non-selective antagonist at beta-1 and beta-2 adrenergic receptors. Blocks the peripheral sympathetic response.
Taper Notes
Slow taper — abrupt discontinuation in cardiac patients can precipitate angina or arrhythmia. Step down by 25% per week.
Hyperbolic Tapering Guidance
For purely as-needed performance anxiety use, no taper is required. For daily use over months, a planned step-down avoids cardiovascular rebound.
Summary written by TaperCommunity, informed by the Maudsley Deprescribing Guidelines (Horowitz & Taylor) and related literature — see Sources & References below. Not affiliated with or endorsed by the Maudsley.
Withdrawal Timeline
1-3 days
5-10 days
2-4 weeks
Cardiovascular rebound usually resolves within 2 weeks
Common Withdrawal Symptoms
Interactions & Safety
Drug Interactions
- Other negative chronotropes/inotropes (verapamil, diltiazem) — additive
- CYP2D6 inhibitors — increase exposure
- NSAIDs — reduce antihypertensive effect
Contraindications
- Asthma
- Sinus bradycardia, AV block
- Cardiogenic shock
Toxicity
Bradycardia, hypotension, bronchospasm (especially in asthma), fatigue, cold extremities, sleep disturbance, vivid dreams. Masks hypoglycemia in diabetes.
Pharmacokinetics
ADME Profile
Hepatic, primarily via CYP2D6 and CYP1A2.
~90%
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Other Drug Profiles
Frequently asked questions about Inderal
What are the withdrawal symptoms of Inderal (propranolol)?
Common withdrawal symptoms of Inderal (propranolol) include: rebound tachycardia, hypertension, angina, palpitations, rebound anxiety, tremor. Symptom severity varies by individual, dose, and duration of use.
How should I taper off Inderal (propranolol)?
Slow taper — abrupt discontinuation in cardiac patients can precipitate angina or arrhythmia. Step down by 25% per week. For purely as-needed performance anxiety use, no taper is required. For daily use over months, a planned step-down avoids cardiovascular rebound.
How long does Inderal withdrawal last?
Inderal withdrawal typically begins 1-3 days, peaks around 5-10 days, and resolves within 2-4 weeks. Cardiovascular rebound usually resolves within 2 weeks
Can I stop Inderal cold turkey?
Stopping Inderal abruptly is not recommended. Its half-life is 3-6 hours (IR); 8-10 hours (LA), and the receptor adaptations built up during treatment do not reverse at that speed, so a sudden stop tends to produce the sharpest withdrawal. Prescribing guidance favours gradual, proportional reductions agreed with your prescriber.
How long does Inderal stay in your system?
Inderal (propranolol) has a half-life of 3-6 hours (IR); 8-10 hours (LA). As a rule of thumb, a drug is mostly cleared after about five half-lives. Withdrawal symptoms often begin before the drug has fully cleared and continue after it has, because the adaptations the brain made during treatment reverse more slowly than the drug leaves the blood.
Sources & References
Inderal (propranolol) information on this page is sourced from peer-reviewed research, regulatory bodies, clinical guidelines, and patient-advocacy organizations.
Encyclopedic & chemical databases
Neutral, high-authority entity references.
Regulatory sources
Official prescribing information and safety notices.
Peer-reviewed research
Primary literature cited in this taper guide.
Clinical guidelines
Evidence-based deprescribing and prescribing standards.
Deprescribing-specific resources
Clinician-facing references on tapering protocols.
- Deprescribing.org — Evidence-based deprescribing algorithms from the Bruyère Research Institute
- Royal College of Psychiatrists — Stopping antidepressants — UK clinical guidance on safely discontinuing antidepressants
Patient-advocacy & lived-experience
Long-running communities documenting withdrawal experience.
- Surviving Antidepressants — tapering forum — Long-running community archive of antidepressant taper experiences
- Inner Compass Initiative — Withdrawal Project — Peer-led resources for psychiatric drug withdrawal
- Mad in America — antidepressant withdrawal archive — Journalism and personal narratives on SSRI/SNRI discontinuation
- RxISK — adverse drug reaction reporting — Independent database of patient-reported adverse effects
TaperCommunity does not provide medical advice. Always consult a qualified prescriber before adjusting psychiatric medication.