What Causes Hallucinations Post Propranolol Intake?

Posted on Thu, 21 Apr 2016

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

Thu, 21 Apr 2016 Answered on

Sat, 11 Jun 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : My wife stopped taking propranolol because she was getting hallucinations.
Should she restart taking it as prescribed

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Yes can be started but with low doses

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking from HCM

Propranolol is known to cause visual perceptual disturbances in a lot of patients. In some rare instances the drug can precipitate psychosis. She is 72 years old and if she developed hallucinations with drug then it's better to start with low doses and increase the doses gradually.

What is the dose of the drug she has been prescribed?

Thanks

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (21 minutes later)

THE PRESCRIBED DOSE WAS ONE 40mg tablet twice per day.
but she started getting hallucinations so I stopped her from taking them

Answered by Dr. Seikhoo Bishnoi (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
Start with low dose and increase the doses further.

Detailed Answer:
Hello thanks for asking again

The dose of 40 mg twice a day was higher considering her age. In my opinion you can start with 20 mg per day and then can increase the dose to 40 mg per day. This should prevent any hallucinations.

Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar