Doctors and pharmacists urge safety review of propranolol after 12 overdose deaths

A coalition of pharmacists and physicians has issued an urgent call for regulators to revisit the safety guidance on propranolol, a beta-blocker commonly prescribed by the NHS for generalized anxiety disorder, migraines and hypertension. Data from 2023 show the drug was implicated in 12 deaths among 318 individuals who deliberately overdosed, according to reports. In response, the Royal College of Pharmacy, the Royal College of Physicians and the National Poisons Information Service have warned that while propranolol is effective for many patients, its use in anxiety treatment raises significant overdose risks, especially for vulnerable groups.

Kate Ryan, the medication safety officer at the Royal College of Pharmacy, emphasized concerns about serious consequences of overdose. The three bodies are urging a review of patient safety advice and prescribing practices to mitigate these risks. No regulatory response has been detailed yet.