Prescribing for anxiety disorders
Many GPs think beta-blockers have a role to play in anxiety management, and prescribe them for anxiety because they consider beta-blockers to be low risk, quicker than other treatments, and useful for managing associated physical symptoms. However, NICE guidance does not recommend beta-blockers for anxiety and recent reports highlight potential risks. Given increases of beta-blocker prescribing in primary care, there is a need to assess their safety and effectiveness in anxiety treatment. This research explores when and why GPs prescribe beta-blockers for anxiety.
