Treating Misophonia with the Beta Blocker Propranolol

Treating Misophonia With The Beta Blocker Propranolol

3/7/2022

By: Jadon Webb, M.D., Ph.D.

In January 2022, we were excited to publish the first ever report of using medication to treat the symptoms of misophonia. We feel that it is well past time to take misophonia symptoms seriously, and develop strategies and guidelines for using medications to help treat misophonia when it is safe and appropriate.

Misophonia (and also Misokinesia) triggers often cause the patient’s brain to release a surge of adrenaline, causing “fight-or-flight” symptoms. These symptoms can include feelings of anger or rage, racing heart, tense muscles, feeling flushed or sweaty, and having “tunnel vision” where it can be hard to think about anything other than stopping the trigger.

Medications that reduce fight-or-flight symptoms can be helpful in mental health disorders such as PTSD, and we think can also be very helpful in some cases of misophonia. Misophonia is still a relatively new and often misunderstood condition, and so it can sometimes be frustrating trying to describe it, and feel as if you have to “defend” the diagnosis. Because of this, it can sometimes be helpful to instead describe the specific symptoms that you are having in response to triggers when discussing possible treatments, including medications. This can help your provider collaborate with you to find medications that specifically target the unwanted symptoms.

Good days are coming, misophonia is being taken seriously, and there are increasing possibilities for help!

2 Comments

Nathan Lafontaine

4/24/2023 09:12:13 am

Any idea how long before I can get a prescription for this? Misophonia has made me all-but-a-shut-in. I would like to get my life back.

Liam

6/6/2023 11:42:37 pm

Just ask your GP for it. It isn't addictive, so it should not be difficult to get. The problem is getting the dosing right - some doctors will only prescribe 10 mg per dose, but there's some indication that doses need to be much higher for best results - 60mg is what one paper suggests, but I have had good results with 40 on fairly bad days, or I might take 20 before I go out as a preventative.

Though there are some instances where it's not appropriate, such as if you have asthma. You also need to make sure that you tell your dentist that you are using it, as it can have an interaction with the local anesthetics - this is not usually a problem if you're having routine things done on the lower jaw because they can use a local (Mepivacaine 3% plain) that does not have adrenaline (which is what causes the issue), but when they are working on the upper jaw you will probably need to avoid taking it before the appointment.

Hopefully this is helpful!

Treating Misophonia With The Beta Blocker Propranolol

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