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Can Buspirone And Propranolol Be Taken Together?

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Posted on Wed, 6 Jan 2016
Question: Can you take Buspirone and Propranolol together in the same day. Both of these have been prescribed to me for anxiety. My dosage for Buspirone is 5mg twice a day. Also, Propranolol dosage is 10mg twice a day. They we're prescribe on different visits, but they aren't working that good by themselves. I occasionally get the rapid heart beat and I believe part of the benefits of Propranolol is for this.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (12 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
In-depth Consultation and regular Follow-up required

Detailed Answer:
Hello, and thanks very much for your question.

Yes, you can take Buspirone and Propranolol together and in the same day. Buspirone is a long-acting anti-anxiety medication, whereas propranolol is a beta-blocker which also serves as an anti-anxiety medication for situational anxiety. You are on low doses of both at the moment, as buspirone is often prescribed around 30mg/daily and propranolol can be dosed as high as 10mg three times daily.

I will mention here that I disagree with your doctor's choices. Buspirone is a very weak anti-anxiety medication which I almost never prescribe.

A much more effective long-term anti-anxiety medication would be an SSRI such as Lexapro, Zoloft, or Prozac.

Furthermore, although benzodiazepines can indeed be habit-forming, they can be useful in the short term while your SSRI is taking time to kick in.

If you are interested in a complete consultation and more in-depth advice about these issues, you can become my private patient by visiting my private link which I detail below.

I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (1 hour later)
Thank you for your response. My local Dr. Is very conservative and does not like to prescribe medications that might be habit forming. I took Lorazapam a year ago when my anxiety came back and it worked extremely well. When this recent anxiety episode occurred he did not want to prescribe do to the possible habit forming effects it might have.
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (5 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Needs further Followup

Detailed Answer:
I understand. Some doctors are more conservative than others. I personally feel that Benzodiazepines used in the short term while waiting for an SSRI to kick in is perfectly acceptable practice.

They can be habit forming but are very effective if used carefully. We can discuss other alternatives at my private link if you wish.

I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 days later)
If my Doctor will prescribe one of the medications above, what dosage would you recommend. Also, are any of those ssri's habit forming. Thanks for your help, XXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (4 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Start Lexapro at 5 mg after consultation with doctor

Detailed Answer:
I would recommend Lexapro, starting at 5mg working your way up to a maximum of 20mg as tolerated. An alternative is Zoloft, starting at 25mg and going as high as 200mg as tolerated. The great thing about these drugs is they are completely nonaddictive and non-habit forming. They are the best solution for anxiety, along with therapy, which I offer at my private link:

XXXX
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj
doctor
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Follow up: Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (28 hours later)
My Doctor has prescribe lexapro(5mg) for me. Is that once a day? Also, can I still take the Proponolol with lexapro? Thanks XXXX XXXXXXX
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe (2 minutes later)
Brief Answer:
Followup

Detailed Answer:
Hi XXXX,

Yes, that Lexapro is 5mg once a day. And yes, it is perfectly safe to take propranolol with Lexapro.

Please contact me at my private link and let me know how it goes, and we can discuss medication changes accordingly.

XXXX
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vinay Bhardwaj
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Answered by
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Dr. Alexander H. Sheppe

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2014

Answered : 2236 Questions

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Can Buspirone And Propranolol Be Taken Together?

Brief Answer: In-depth Consultation and regular Follow-up required Detailed Answer: Hello, and thanks very much for your question. Yes, you can take Buspirone and Propranolol together and in the same day. Buspirone is a long-acting anti-anxiety medication, whereas propranolol is a beta-blocker which also serves as an anti-anxiety medication for situational anxiety. You are on low doses of both at the moment, as buspirone is often prescribed around 30mg/daily and propranolol can be dosed as high as 10mg three times daily. I will mention here that I disagree with your doctor's choices. Buspirone is a very weak anti-anxiety medication which I almost never prescribe. A much more effective long-term anti-anxiety medication would be an SSRI such as Lexapro, Zoloft, or Prozac. Furthermore, although benzodiazepines can indeed be habit-forming, they can be useful in the short term while your SSRI is taking time to kick in. If you are interested in a complete consultation and more in-depth advice about these issues, you can become my private patient by visiting my private link which I detail below. I encourage you to contact me at my direct link below. It would be my pleasure to be your personal physician on this website. My name is Dr. Sheppe, and I am an XXXXXXX doctor working in New York City at NewYork-Presbyterian Hospital, ranked #1 for Psychiatry in the United States (XXXX). For a personalized comprehensive evaluation, treatment recommendations, or individual therapy, ask me at HealthCareMagic at this private link: XXXX