My son is 12 and has familial tremors and we went to his pediatrician to see if there is any meds that could help stop the tremors. He prescibed propranolol at a low dose 2x a day. I also see that this drug can cause depression, specially in people who have a family history, which we do. Should we keep looking for something else?
Is Propranolol good for tremors?
Question posted by questions101 on 2 Feb 2013
Last updated on 5 August 2017 by joan muriel
7 Answers
joan muriel
5 Aug 2017
what happens when you increase from 20mg. to 25mg.?
wiz323
15 April 2015
My mom has tremors they run in the family her doctor put her on the medicine and it helps extremely well. She is 79
lrb047
30 April 2014
I started to get familial tremors when I was in my late 40's. I have the shaky hands, shaky head, and shaky legs syndromes. My neurologist tried me on a couple different medications, but they weren't very effective. I have now been on propranolol for about 15 years, and they have helped me considerably. I started out on a low dosage of 20mg but after a while they weren't helping me much so my doctor then raised the dosage up to 60mg per day. I was on those for a few years, but eventually they weren't doing the job for me either. He then upped the dosage to 80mg per day, and after a few more years I had to take 2 tablets per day. Soon after that he changed my prescription to 160mg extended release caplet per day, and I have now been on that dosage for the past 10 years. The older I get the worse the problem gets, but 160mg extended release is the strongest prescription of propranolol made. I also take 1 clonazepam tablet every night to help me relax and sleep.
Depression and anxiety runs in my family, but I don't feel that taking propranolol has added to that problem for me in the least. BTW: my youngest son also has the same problems I have, and he is doing well on the propranolol and valium (which is basically the same thing as clonazepam). I wish your son well, and pray his doctor can help him.
Bold pilot
3 Feb 2013
I take 60 mg/day of propanolol. It helps my tremors a lot but not 100%. I have a head shake, slightly side to side. I don't even know I am doing it but my wife notices it, especially when I am focusing intensely on something.
The only side effect I have is it has lowered my blood pressure but that isn't a problem, it's actually a good thing. However, it has also lowered my heart rate. I noticed this when I check my heart rate while working out. I used to get my heart up to 150. Now I have trouble getting to 130. My average while working out is now more like 115. My resting rate is now about 65.
endlessPred
3 Feb 2013
Propranolol does slow heart rate and for people with a natural slow heart rate, it can cause dizziness when standing up too quickly. I am unable to use it as my heart rate dives too low, into the lower forties and thirties.
The effect on an adult is different than in a child.
endlessPred
3 Feb 2013
My husband's family and our daughter have this. They have never had it treated because as soon as they use their hands they are fine. She plays concert violin and takes propranolol at times before playing.
He will be fine with the med if used at times. however, since my mother in law has had it for 88 years and it never affected her life, I would think long and hard before I used a medication all the time. 12 is a tough age full of change and embarrassment. I recall my daughter not wanting to be different at that age and the kids thought anyone taking medication was weird. So be sure this is something your son wants to have changed. It did not affect my daughters success in life nor my husbands. Depression may well come from seeing oneself as ill and falling into that mindset. It is a deep hole when a kid wants is to be like others and has a secret about medications. Ask any kid who has ADD and the like.
To me a child on a medication for life, may not be the best idea. The brain has not developed fully, he has another 12 years or so. My daughter adjusted, sometimes was frustrated, but definitely grew through it. Propanolol was used more for nervousness/anxiety when performing.
Have a good talk with your son. Be sure he knows that drugs don't cure everything.
questions101
3 Feb 2013
I appreciate your thoughtful answer. I myself have this condition but have never treated it because I've learned to deal with it. His tremor is worse then mine and he feels different because of it. It also affects his hand writting. He also has ADD and we tried a medication for that, but it made him so emotional that we took him off of it. The medication for the tremors was his idea so I told him that we would take him to the Dr. then talk about it and the side affects. I am mostly concerned about the depression side affect as depression does run in the family.
I think he has learned to have compassion for people because of his struggle. We will continue to talk and take all this into consideration. Thank you for your time.
endlessPred
3 Feb 2013
My nephew has ADD and has tremors as well. They did get worse in his teens but are now much better as he is 23. He has found that exercise, treadmill, really helps relieve the nervous tension and relaxes his muscles as well. In fact, they found out it was not ADD. He has a very high functioning Aspergers, a form of autism. The kid is a genius and school was so boring it made him tense, not helpful at all with the tremors and interacting with others.
Since your son does have ADD and the tremors, I understand why he is in search of something that can be controlled. Also, be sure he is diagnosed by another specialist before you believe ADD. It is turning out that both autism and ADD/ADH are frequently misdiagnosed. My nephew has worked consistently with a therapist through his teens and college. It has helped him tremendously learning biofeedback to calm the tremors and increased his interaction with others. Thought you should know.
Keep up the good work with your son. Your love for him is evident.
kaismama
2 Feb 2013
I would watch him to see if it made him depressed. For me that would be lack of energy and anger at stupid things. His school work may suffer. It may help him and will probably not make him depressed, so I would let him have it.
Jennicel
17 Sep 2013
Hello: I would have a very open communication with him and observe him.
AquariusAnneCA
2 Feb 2013
I am a Senior woman and have taken propanolol for 15 years for the familial tremors... my brother took the same medication. I started at #20mg once a day and then 2 years ago I went on #40mg and it has helped me tremendously with no side affects. It is an older medication so that is why I trust taking it. I am extremely sensitive to medications but this one worked well for me.
Good luck with your 12 year old son.
AquariusAnne
questions101
2 Feb 2013
Thank you for your answer. Can I ask if there is any problems with depression in your family line?
AquariusAnneCA
2 Feb 2013
No, there are no problems with depression in our family.
AquariusAnneCA
Related topics
depression, benign essential tremor, propranolol, tremor
Further information
- Propranolol uses and safety info
- Propranolol prescribing info & package insert (for Health Professionals)
- Side effects of Propranolol (detailed)
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