Should you take a “Beta Blocker” medication for flying anxiety?

Mark S. Banov, M.D., M.P.H.
Board Certified, American Board of Preventive Medicine
Medical Director, Corporate Medical Care, Atlanta, Georgia

Many of the physical signs of flying anxiety-sweaty palms, dry mouth, pounding heart and breathlessness are caused by the release of chemicals in the body such as adrenaline. The effects of these chemicals can be blocked by prescription medicines known as beta-blockers.

These medicines have been used for years to control high blood pressure, help migraine headaches, reduce tremors, and for several other medical conditions.Although not specifically approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration for short-term use with phobia/anxiety-related conditions, physicians often prescribe beta-blockers for these purposes.

For example: people with public speaking phobias and musicians about to give solo concerts often find that their physical jitteriness is calmed significantly with small amounts of a beta blocker given before a presentation or concert. Similarly, many people with flying phobias may also benefit from these medicines when taken before a flight.There are many types of beta-blockers, which differ by duration of action, type of chemical receptors they block as well as by other properties.

One of the most common beta-blockers used for flying phobias is propanolol (Inderal).The timing of taking beta-blockers before a flight is important. They have to be taken early enough to be absorbed but not too early so that they will wear off before the flight starts.Beta-blockers are definitely not for everyone. There are many people who cannot take these medications, including people with certain heart problems, asthma/emphysema, diabetes and several other conditions. Only your private physician can determine whether you may safely take this type of medication. It is certainly worth asking about!

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