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What Causes Chest Tightness, Breathlessness And Anxiety While Taking Propranolol And Zoloft?

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Posted on Mon, 12 Oct 2015
Question: I was prescribed 10mg of propranolol to be taken twice a day and 25mg of zoloft to be taken daily. I also was prescribed lorazepam to be taken as needed. I have really bad health anxiety at the moment. I have been on the medications for a few days and have not felt many side effects. This morning however, i feel quite strange. I feel this sort of tightness sensation in my chest, almost like I can't breathe out all of the air in my lungs out (no pain, or shortness of breath, and I CAN breathe out all the way) just an annoying feeling that is making me feel panicky. I feel as though my heart is going to stop beating, or that I am about to start hyperventilating or panicking. I just took my blood pressure. 119/77 and pulse is 69. And now I am thinking the propranolol is causing these feelings to worsen. Should I discontinue use, or could this just be anxiety?
I also wanna know why the doctor would switch me from metoprolol to propranolol? I do think I got the tightness from that medication too, however I can't really tell as I have sort of been getting this feeling before meds.
Thanks in advance
doctor
Answered by Dr. Alok Sinha (1 hour later)
Brief Answer:
Dose of Zoloft (Sertraline) is low, it should be increased to 50/100 mg.

Detailed Answer:
Hi,
Welcome to HCM.
We understand your concern.

I have carefully read your query and could understand that you are taking medicines for anxiety and despite medicines you are not feeling well.

The symptoms you described (inability to breath out and tightness in chest) above are very much suggestive of an attack of acute anxiety. This signifies that your anxiety symptoms are not well controlled. As such, usual anti-anxiety dose of Zoloft for anxiety disorder is 100 mg.
You may discuss these issues with your doctor. With optimized therapy you will have benefit within few days.
These symptoms do not appear to be the effect of propranolol. So you may continue tablet Propranolol as prescribed.
I wish you all the best.
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Raju A.T
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Answered by
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Dr. Alok Sinha

Psychiatrist

Practicing since :2001

Answered : 212 Questions

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What Causes Chest Tightness, Breathlessness And Anxiety While Taking Propranolol And Zoloft?

Brief Answer: Dose of Zoloft (Sertraline) is low, it should be increased to 50/100 mg. Detailed Answer: Hi, Welcome to HCM. We understand your concern. I have carefully read your query and could understand that you are taking medicines for anxiety and despite medicines you are not feeling well. The symptoms you described (inability to breath out and tightness in chest) above are very much suggestive of an attack of acute anxiety. This signifies that your anxiety symptoms are not well controlled. As such, usual anti-anxiety dose of Zoloft for anxiety disorder is 100 mg. You may discuss these issues with your doctor. With optimized therapy you will have benefit within few days. These symptoms do not appear to be the effect of propranolol. So you may continue tablet Propranolol as prescribed. I wish you all the best.