Galaxy, my daughter was prescribed Propranolol for social anxiety. She was prescribed the 10mg tablets. 10mg doesn't do anything for her but the doctor told her that she can take several at a time.

She sometimes takes 4 or 5 depending on the situation e.g. sometimes she needs to address a class for Uni and becomes paralized with fear. She finds that it's a bit of an adjustment thing and has learned how much she needs over time so that they don't make her too tired.

She doesn't use them all the time. She mainly takes supplements these days if needed but always has the Propranolol on hand for emergency.

I would do what Mark has suggested with the pill cutter and I would start off at the lowest dose so that you can adjust the dose upwards yourself if needed.

Propranolol actually doesn't work on the reasons for anxiety, it works on the physical symptoms created by those reasons. Meaning it works on the physical flight or fight response. Working on the reasons for the anxiety is very important too. Cognitive Behaviour Therapy is very helpful when used in conjunction with anti-anxiety medications.

Propranolol is a Beta Blocker. It's one of those drugs that is used for a number of varied conditions including migraines, high blood pressure, essential tremor, anxiety and others.

The initial starting dose would vary depending on which condition it is being used to treat.
Doses for Anxiety for instance are usually a very low dosage.

If I was in your situation, I'd be asking my doctor exactly what he's prescribed this medication for and I'd ask him about the dose he's prescribed and your concern about starting at that dose.

I have been under an enormous amount of stress for various reasons for the past few months. One night my brain and body were running so fast I felt ill and I took one 10mg Propranolol (I have anxiety also) and it made the world of difference to the way I was feeling. Obviously it must have slowed my heart rate some?. If someone else had taken the same amount they may not have even felt it.