Pharmacist Raj Patel, known as the Straight-Talking Pharmacist on TikTok, has warned patients taking propranolol not to stop their medication suddenly, following reports of 12 deaths linked to the drug. The deaths, recorded in 2022 and 2023, involved intentional overdoses, not people taking their usual prescribed dose.
Patel, who has more than 100,000 followers, addressed the figures in a recent video, saying: "If you take propranolol and this 12 deaths headline has got you worried, please don't stop your tablets." He reassured viewers that "these were not 12 people dying after taking their normal dose, and these were not reported last week."
What the figures show
The data covers 318 people who had intentionally taken too much propranolol, with 12 deaths recorded. Propranolol is a beta blocker prescribed for conditions including high blood pressure, certain heart problems and physical symptoms of anxiety.
Patel explained the risks of overdose: "Propranolol can affect your heart, your blood pressure, your breathing, and your brain if too much is taken." His main message was that patients should not make abrupt changes to their treatment because of overdose reports: "If it's been prescribed for you, please continue to take it exactly as prescribed. Don't stop it suddenly because of this headline."
Risks of stopping suddenly
The NHS warns that suddenly stopping propranolol can make the condition being treated worse and may cause symptoms such as sweating, shaking or an irregular heartbeat. Anyone who wants to come off the medicine should speak to their doctor, who can advise whether the dose needs to be reduced gradually.
Patel also highlighted the difference between managing physical symptoms of anxiety and addressing the worry itself. He said: "It can calm the racing heart, the shaking, and the sweating, but it doesn't really treat the worry behind them."
What patients should do
Anyone concerned about their medication should contact their prescriber or pharmacist before changing how they take it. If someone takes more propranolol than prescribed, they should seek urgent medical advice, calling 999 if they experience severe symptoms such as breathing difficulties, a seizure or collapse.
