Propranolol in Neurotic and Thyrotoxic Anxiety

Abstract

D-L-propranolol has been reported as having a beneficial effect in anxiety (Granville-Grossman and Turner, 1966; Wheatley, 1969; Suzman, 1971). The effect is believed to be due to the drug's (β-adrenergic blocking action which suppresses many of the somatic manifestations of anxiety, such as tachycardia (Turner, Granville-Grossman and Smart, 1965) and tremor (Marsden, Gimlette, McAllister, Owen and Miller, 1968). Although the peripheral manifestations of anxiety may be ameliorated by propranolol it is not clear whether the drug has any effect on the subjective, central feelings of anxiety experienced by the patient (Marsden, 1971).