anyone taking citalopram and propranolol?

Treatment and medication
1

Hi,

I've been taking citalopram 10 mg for about 5 years and lately propranolol 20 mg daily. (started on 40 mg but decreased it due to feeling sleepy). I've started to feel short of breath over the last few days, even at rest. Had tests done recently, all ok. Could it be a combination of the meds? Anyone taking both meds?

Many thanks

2

I was prescribed both 12 days ago but after two days on the beta blockers I gave them up... I found that they prevented me from doing too much. You cannot exercise on them, drink etc... Shortness of breath probably happens when you're maybe pacing around and your heart is up but the beta blockers slow it down. It's probably a mixture of what the beta blockers job is and side effects from the citaprolom. When I ended the beta blockers, my citaprolom was increased to 20mg.

3

It's been nearly 2 months now that I've been taking propranolol 40mg X 3 a day aswell as an increase from 10mg to 20mg citalopram. To be honest I think what you're feeling could be down to anything..could be the decrease adjusting? The propranolol slows the heart down so by doing things that will get it pumping does make you feel a bit breathless. I don't really exercise and I'm not leaving the house so much anymore because of my anxiety I've been off work for 2 months now so small tasks can make my breathing short. A lot of days im stuck in bed for hours usually daytime. What I suggest is to try doing breathing exercises it might make you feel frustrated at first cos of your short breath but keep at them. It'll push you to breathe deeper be more comfortable and calm your body/feelings down. I practise even when I'm just sitting watching tv. Hope this helps X

4

google it as such"are there any interactions taking citaloprom 10mg and propranolol 20mg together) thats what i did and found out that i could not take Phenergan with escitaloprom. Good luck

5

Hi charliemaries,

I think I too will have to stop taking propranolol and see if the shortness of breath goes away. The annoying thing is they do have a good effect on my anxiety, I do feel some relief from them. What you say makes good sense. I may have to increase the citalopram like you but I'll come off the propranolol first though. I hope the increased dose of citalopram works for you. Many thanks.

6

Hi bonnie,

Thank you for replying. I too was off works for 11 weeks a couple of years ago with anxiety, I was too scared to leave the house. I lost lots of weight. I really had to push myself to do anything and wasn't sure I would ever drive again. I read an article in a magazine about a woman who suffered anxiety and she was determined to get her life back. It made such an impression on me that I thought, yeah, I want my life back too. From then I got in my car every day and took the route to work to see how far I could get. By about the 5th day I made it all the way and I decided to go back to work. It wasn't easy because it took several attempts to open the front door to get in my car each time. I gradually got stronger each day. I do hope you feel better very soon and thank you for your good advice. I will give the deep breathing a try. Take care.

7

Thanks Iran, I will try googling it as you suggested. I am going to leave the propranolol there for now and see what happens. Take care.

8

Hi jran,

I just googled it and there is an interaction between citalopram and propranolol. Apparently the citalopram increases the function of propranolol and one of the symptoms is shortness of breath. It doesn't happen for everyone but maybe it is happening to me. Many thanks for your advice. I am definitely going to stop taking them now. Best wishes.

9

Yes, my doctor prescribed 10mg of propranolol and it's worked great for anxiety!

10

Did the shortness of breath go away ? @ Rex987

I'm currently going through the same symptoms N I'm also on citalopram and Propranolol

11

Hi

I am taking it in the morning and at night to help dull the anxiety. Been on 20mg of Cit for 3 weeks now and desperate to feel better.

I was on 10mg for about a year after dropping from 20 as I felt better! Silly mistake , should have just stayed on 20!

When will the Cit start to help the anxiety, soon I hope ?

Any positive feedback would be great .

Thank you

12

Prazosin is an alternative to propranolol.  a lot of people have had very good success with Prazosin, regarding better sleep and less side effects that propranolol