Experts issue stark 'risk of death' warning over blue pill endorsed by celebrities

Experts have warned against a little blue pill endorsed by celebs across the world, and the reason is shocking.

The pill, called propanolol, is a beta blocker that was first approved by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) to treat symptoms of cardiovascular disease, but it also provides other benefits, such as calming nerves and reducing anxiety.

Celebrities such as Robert Downey Jr. Kristen Bell, Rachel Sennott and Natasha Rothwell all have spoken about beta blockers being a helpful medication to contribute towards their relaxed demeanour.

However, it could actually give you erectile dysfunction, and more concerningly, it can increase your likelihood of dying.

What is propanolol?

Propanolol is a type of beta blocker and is known as a 'miracle pill'. It works by altering the way the body responds to nerve impulses.

Propanolol and other beta blockers are a beta-adrenergic blocking agent which blocks the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline on the body's beta receptors. In return, it can reduce heart rate, lower blood pressure, and lessen heart contractions. At the same time, it can alleviate physical symptoms of anxiety such as sweating, and heart palpitations.

According to the NHS, propranolol 'slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body'.

Generally, it is prescribed for high blood pressure and other heart problems, but it works to help those horrid anxious symptoms too.

The main side effects of propranolol are: being dizzy or tired, having cold hands or feet, difficulties sleeping and even nightmares.

“They work by reducing the effects of adrenaline on the heart, so you don't get that heart-racing feeling, you may not get short of breath or sweaty, and they can reduce the symptoms of a full-blown panic attack,” said Dr Amir Khan, a GP who spoke to the Daily Mail.

According to Sennott, who attended the Oscars, they really helped her to get through the night and to stop her anxiety.

Similarly, Chelsea Handler said she pops one when she is about to take on a particularly large comedic performance.

Downey Jr. he got on stage and admitted to popping them when he won best supporting actor Golden Globe for Oppenheimer.

"Yeah, yeah, I took a beta-blocker so this will be a breeze," he said on stage.

What are the potential risks of propanolol?

There are a couple of risks; for example, it could be causing erectile dysfunction in men.

Dr Donald Grant, a GP and senior clinical advisor at The Independent Pharmacy, said beta blockers, aspirin, and even anti-depressants can all have the same impact on men’s penis function.

And propranolol is no exception, as Dr Grant said: "Beta blockers such as atenolol and propranolol list erectile dysfunction as a common side effect.

"These medications can lower testosterone while also impacting blood flow — both are requirements for achieving and maintaining a healthy erection."

But an increase in death is a new thing that has been discovered after a REBOOT Trial study revealed all this year.

According to the study, while men experienced no benefit or risk when using beta-blockers, women treated with beta-blockers had a major increased risk of death or hospitalisation for heart failure compared to women not taking the drug.

Women treated with beta-blockers had a 2.7 per cent higher risk of mortality than those not treated with beta-blockers during the nearly four years of follow-up of the study.

Dr Borja Ibáñez, CNIC Scientific Director, cardiologist at Hospital Universitario Fundación Jiménez Día, the Principal Investigator, and Senior investigator Valentin Fuster, MD, PhD, President of Mount Sinai Fuster Heart Hospital and General Director of Spain’s Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC) published the study in The New England Journal of Medicine.

Other risks of taking it can include heart failure, breathing difficulties, and allergic reactions.