What Are The Long Term Side Effects Of Propranolol And Escitalopram?

Posted on Thu, 16 Mar 2017

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Thu, 16 Mar 2017 Answered on

Mon, 10 Apr 2017 Last reviewed on

Question : Hi doctor, I'm on escitalopram 5 mg. At night and propranolol 40 mg. In the morning from last 2 year for anxiety and panic. I feel fine with that and works normally with it. Now I want to know whether it has some bad effect of taken for a longer time . I'm male of 43 yrs. Of age.

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
erectile dysfunction and loss of libido.

Detailed Answer:
Hello and Thanks for chosing this forum to post your query,
I am Dr Rishu Saxena and will answer your query-

Decreased sex drive, impotence, or difficulty having an orgasm is one of the nost common side effect of Escitalopram.Apart grom that mild nausea,vomiting sedation etc can be minor side effects however decresaed sex drive and potency is one of the use limiting side effect encountered in youngsters.Please discuss this side effect with your partner.

Proprnolol is a safe drug but again caiuses erectile dysfunction.However if you don't have any problem in achieving orgasm and maintaing erection.You can take them safely.Other minor symptoms are nausea, vomiting, loose stools, etc., but they are not limiting side effects.

Thank you, Feel free to follow up.
Please discuss with your partner.

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Prasad

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (9 hours later)

Thanx doctor , now pl. Suggest me SM other alternative to control these side effects, as till date I haven't facing such problem and infact feeling my sex drive has been increased. Also I want to know whether all the beta blocker has these kind of side effects or not?

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Follow up answer for your question.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,

Yes all betablockers have these side effects.
However chances are less with Cardioselective beta blocker like (Metoprolol,Carvedilol,Nebivolol).
If you are doing good on escitalopram there is no need to change it however anxiolytic like etizolam can be considered in place of betablockers for anxiety.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Kampana

Follow up: Dr. Rishu Saxena (45 hours later)

Thanx doctor for your kind advice. Now as you suggest to take etizolam in place of propranolol, which power of etizolam should I use. Should I take it in the morning time or in the evening? My weight is approx. 80 kgs. Also pl. Suggest me should I go ahead with other alternative in homeopath or Ayurveda for this treatment. Also I have been on clonazepam .25 mg 2 years before but left t after taking 2-3 months in the night time i heard tht it's highly dependent medicine. Can I continue with it or etizolam is safer.

Answered by Dr. Rishu Saxena (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
follow up answer.

Detailed Answer:
Hi again,
Start with low dose 0.25 mg once daily before going to bed.(consult your physician)
Homeopath and ayurved(Sarpgandha) can be tried.
Etizolam belong to same group benzodiazepene like clonazepam.However trials have shown that dependence is very rarely seen in case of etizolam.So in present scenario it's the best benzo available.
Trials conducted by NCBI shows that-Etizolam have much lower dependence potential than other benzodiazepines like Xanax or clonotril.

"Although etizolam is clinically regarded as a benzodiazepine because of its mode of action via benzodiazepine receptor.The potency and efficacy of etizolam for potentiation of Aminobutyric acid evoked Cl− current mediated by recombinant α1 β2 γ2S receptors is MUCH LOWER than those of classical benzodiazepines.This is a reason for reduced liability of etizolam for the development of tolerance and dependence."

Along with it Lactium(Goestress) can be used,Its a milk protein hydrolysate and is natural product extracted from cows milk. Lactium is very effective in treating anxiety.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Yogesh D