February 2022 – Our old friend, propranolol

Propranolol is effective in palliating panic/anxiety in elders who are sensitive to the sedation and delirium side effects of benzodiazepines.

Consider Mrs. Li:
She has moderate dementia and is struggling with the recent death of her husband. She has bouts of panic and becomes fearful, breathless, tremulous, and agitated. Her BP is 130/80 without orthostasis.

Because it crosses the blood-brain barrier, propranolol 10 mg twice a day can reduce anxiety spirals and limit the use of other more sedating anxiolytics.

Read More on Propranolol from the NCBI Here

For more information contact Dr. Leslie Estep or Dr. Anita Meyer at Hospice of the Northwest,
360-814-5550, or lestep@hospicenw.org  or  ameyer@hospicenw.org