Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the acf domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /wordpress/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260
Notice: Function _load_textdomain_just_in_time was called incorrectly. Translation loading for the wordpress-seo domain was triggered too early. This is usually an indicator for some code in the plugin or theme running too early. Translations should be loaded at the init action or later. Please see Debugging in WordPress for more information. (This message was added in version 6.7.0.) in /wordpress/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260
Buy Propranolol Online in Australia: What You Need to Know Before You Order - Emerging Writers' Festival
Notice: Undefined variable: style in /www/wp-content/themes/ewf/functions.php on line 360
Deprecated: Function wp_make_content_images_responsive is deprecated since version 5.5.0! Use wp_filter_content_tags() instead. in /wordpress/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260
Deprecated: Function wp_make_content_images_responsive is deprecated since version 5.5.0! Use wp_filter_content_tags() instead. in /wordpress/wp-includes/functions.php on line 6260
Broadly speaking, my main areas of interest are in fiction, review writing, and activism-related opinion writing. In terms of fiction, I’ve always enjoyed speculative fiction and how it can utilise the most imaginative aspects of storytelling. Recently, though, I’ve been exploring and come to really appreciate non-fiction and realistic stories as well – I’ve found it particularly powerful in sharing the stories of people outside the mainstream. Historical fiction walks the line between these two forms perfectly, so it’s an area I’m particularly interested in at present. Generally, I write at my desk at home; I don’t have a specific routine for writing beyond that, other than often doing it late at night!
I’ve had a few pieces of creative writing appear in small publications in the past, including SpineOut and Something with Bite. I’ve also written a few pieces for that reminds me, an online magazine of personal reflections on pop culture, and recently contributed an opinion piece to Right Now.
I’ve long enjoyed reading Voiceworks, so it would be great to have my work published there at some point. Being published in The School Magazine would also be incredible – I loved reading the stories, poetry and comics in there when I was in primary school and really admire its pieces and authors. Beyond that, I’m keen for any opportunities to share my writing.
What are you working on right now?
I’ve written a fair bit of non-fiction in the first half of this year, so at present, I’m aiming to focus on creative writing. I’m in the planning phase for a historical fiction piece, which I’m hesitant to say more about at this stage as it’s still fairly experimental. I’m also tossing around concepts for a few speculative short stories and long-form manuscripts, as I like to have many ideas to think about at once, to keep me excited.
What have you read recently?
A recent favourite was Outrun the Moon by Stacey Lee, a Young Adult historical fiction novel about a fifteen-year-old girl from Chinatown attempting to follow her ambitions and dealing with the tragedy of the San Francisco earthquake in 1906. I fell in love with the humorous, emotional, and captivating narrative voice, and enjoyed being immersed in the characters’ lives and the vivid historical setting.
I’ve also been reading more non-fiction than usual recently, and found Her Father’s Daughter by Alice Pung incredibly moving; I loved her perceptions of growing into adulthood and her relationship with her parents, and though the portrayal of her father’s experience under the Cambodian genocide was confronting, it was also incredibly insightful and I’m so glad I read it.
What would you like to work on after your studies? What professional development would you like to receive?
After my studies, I’d like to continue what I’m doing now with writing: to continue learning and improving, and to focus on fiction but also to keep experimenting in other areas.
In terms of professional development, mentoring from more experienced writers in similar areas would be incredible. Whilst I always find general advice and workshops about the craft of writing useful, it’s with my own stories’ and pieces’ specific aspects that I have the most challenges with and learn the most from, so individual mentoring would help me a lot!
I’d also like to meet more writers (which I’m eager to do at EWF this year!) and find critique partners, which I know will be particularly useful once I have more fiction work under way!
Wendy Chen is a writer and student from New South Wales, with a focus on storytelling and humanitarian issues. She has been a youth ambassador for The Salvation Army since 2013, is Chinese-Australian, and has a particular passion for fiction, advocacy, and review writing. Her work has been published in SpineOut, Right Now and That Reminds Me.
Propranolol: An Australian Doctor’s Review for Adults Over 30
Disclaimer: This article is for general information only and does not replace individual medical advice. Propranolol is a prescription-only medicine in Australia. Always consult your GP or specialist before starting, stopping, or changing any medicine.
Attention: Is Your Heart Racing, Chest Tight, or Mind Stuck in Overdrive?
If you are over 30, you may have noticed that your body doesn’t bounce back like it used to. Perhaps you feel a pounding heart before a presentation at work, a tight chest when you climb stairs, or a constant worry that your blood pressure is slowly creeping upward. Maybe you have been told you have angina, or you experience migraines that derail your week. You are not alone—and you don’t have to simply “live with it.”
In my practice, I regularly see Australians in their 30s, 40s, 50s and beyond who are frustrated by these symptoms. They want a well-studied, affordable medicine that can help calm the body’s stress response, protect the heart, and restore their confidence. For many of them, that medicine is propranolol.
Interest: What Exactly Is Propranolol — and Is It a Beta Blocker?
Yes, propranolol is a beta blocker. More precisely, it is a non-selective beta-adrenergic receptor antagonist. In plain English: it blocks the action of adrenaline and noradrenaline on beta receptors throughout your body, particularly in the heart and blood vessels.
When adrenaline surges—due to stress, anxiety, exercise, or heart disease—your heart beats faster, your blood pressure rises, and your heart muscle demands more oxygen. Propranolol helps slow the heart rate, reduce blood pressure, and lower the workload on your heart. It has been used since the 1960s and remains one of the most extensively studied medicines in cardiovascular medicine.
Because propranolol is non-selective, it also affects the lungs and other organs, which means it is not suitable for everyone—especially people with asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease. Your GP will assess your individual situation before prescribing.
Desire: Real Benefits for Your Daily Life
Propranolol for Angina Pectoris Treatment
Angina pectoris is the medical term for chest pain or discomfort caused by reduced blood flow to the heart muscle. It often feels like pressure, squeezing, or heaviness in the chest and can radiate to the arm, jaw, or back. If you have been avoiding exercise or physical activity because of chest tightness, this can significantly impact your quality of life.
Propranolol is a cornerstone treatment for stable angina. By slowing the heart rate and reducing the force of contraction, it decreases the amount of oxygen the heart muscle needs. This means your heart can work more efficiently, and you are less likely to experience angina attacks during exertion. Many patients find they can walk further, climb stairs more comfortably, and regain confidence in their daily activities.
What Is Propranolol Used For in Anxiety?
This is one of the most common questions I hear from patients over 30. Propranolol is not a sedative or an antidepressant. Instead, it works on the physical symptoms of anxiety—the racing heart, trembling hands, shaky voice, sweating, and that awful “butterflies in the stomach” feeling.
For situational or performance anxiety, such as public speaking, job interviews, exams, flying, or important meetings, a low dose of immediate-release propranolol (typically 10–40 mg) taken 30–60 minutes before the event can dramatically reduce these physical symptoms. When the body stops shaking and the heart stops pounding, the mental panic often fades too. This can break the vicious cycle where physical symptoms feed anxious thoughts, and anxious thoughts worsen physical symptoms.
In Australia, propranolol is commonly prescribed off-label for performance anxiety. While it is not a first-line treatment for generalised anxiety disorder, many patients find it extremely helpful for predictable, short-term stressful situations.
Propranolol Immediate Release vs Sustained Release
Choosing between immediate-release (IR) and sustained-release (SR/ER) propranolol depends on your goals and lifestyle. The table below outlines the key differences:
Angina, hypertension, migraine prevention, steady daily control
Common Australian examples
Propranolol 10 mg, 40 mg tablets
Propranolol SR 80 mg, 160 mg capsules
If you need occasional help before a stressful event, immediate release is usually preferred because it works quickly and wears off after a few hours. If you need daily protection for angina, high blood pressure, or frequent migraines, sustained release offers smoother control and better compliance with once-daily dosing.
Propranolol Half-Life – How Long Does It Stay in Your System?
The half-life of a medicine is the time it takes for the concentration in your blood to reduce by half. For immediate-release propranolol, the half-life is approximately 3–6 hours. This means a single dose is largely cleared from your body within about 24–30 hours (roughly 5 half-lives). However, the therapeutic effect may last longer because propranolol binds strongly to beta receptors.
For sustained-release propranolol, the medicine is released slowly from the capsule or tablet, so blood levels remain steadier over 24 hours. The apparent half-life may be longer due to continued absorption, but the practical point is simple: one SR dose gives you all-day coverage, while one IR dose gives you several hours of effect.
If you are taking propranolol regularly and miss a dose, do not double the next dose. Take it as soon as you remember, unless it is almost time for your next scheduled dose.
Propranolol and Blood Pressure Medications Interactions
Because propranolol lowers blood pressure and heart rate, combining it with other blood pressure medicines can cause additive effects. This can be beneficial when carefully managed, but it also requires medical supervision to avoid dizziness, fainting, or an excessively slow heart rate. Always give your GP a complete list of everything you take, including over-the-counter and herbal products.
Medication class
Interaction with propranolol
What to watch for
ACE inhibitors / ARBs
Additive blood pressure lowering
Dizziness, light-headedness on standing
Calcium channel blockers (verapamil, diltiazem)
Marked slowing of heart rate, possible heart block
Your doctor will choose the safest combination for your specific situation and may adjust doses gradually. Never combine propranolol with other beta blockers or calcium channel blockers like verapamil without explicit medical advice.
Is Propranolol Safe During Pregnancy in Australia?
This is an important question, and the answer is not a simple yes or no. In Australia, propranolol has historically been classified as a Category C medicine under the older TGA pregnancy categorisation system. This means that potential risks to the baby cannot be ruled out.
Beta blockers, including propranolol, have been associated with slower fetal heart rate, low blood sugar in the newborn, and possible reduced fetal growth—particularly when used in the second and third trimesters. However, propranolol may still be prescribed during pregnancy when there is a clear maternal need, such as certain heart conditions, severe anxiety, or migraine, and when the benefits outweigh the risks.
If you are pregnant or planning to become pregnant, never stop or start propranolol without discussing it with your obstetrician and GP. In some cases, a specialist may switch you to a more pregnancy-suitable alternative, such as labetalol for hypertension. The key is open communication with your healthcare team.
How to Stop Taking Propranolol Safely
This is one of the most crucial points in this article. Do not stop propranolol suddenly. Long-term beta blocker use increases the sensitivity of beta receptors in your body. If you abruptly withdraw the medicine, your heart rate and blood pressure can rebound dangerously high. You may experience worsening angina, palpitations, anxiety, sweating, and in rare cases, a heart attack.
Safe discontinuation involves gradual dose reduction over one to two weeks—or longer, depending on your dose and how long you have been taking it. Your GP will provide a personalised tapering schedule and may monitor your heart rate, blood pressure, and symptoms during the process. If you notice chest pain, severe palpitations, or a sudden return of anxiety while tapering, contact your doctor immediately.
Action: Take the Next Step Toward a Calmer, Stronger Heart
If you recognise yourself in any of the scenarios above—chest tightness on exertion, a pounding heart before presentations, blood pressure creeping up, or migraines that steal your days—propranolol may be a well-studied, affordable, and effective option. It has been used safely for decades when prescribed and monitored appropriately.
Don’t let a racing heart or chest pain dictate your life. Talk to your Australian GP about whether propranolol is right for you. Ask specifically about:
Your current blood pressure and heart rate readings
Whether immediate-release or sustained-release propranolol suits your lifestyle
Any potential interactions with your existing medicines
A clear plan for starting—and, if ever needed, stopping—safely
With the right medical guidance, propranolol could help you regain control at work, at home, and in the moments that matter most. Speak to your doctor today and take the first step toward a calmer heart and a more confident you.
Always read the Consumer Medicine Information (CMI) leaflet provided with your medicine and follow your doctor’s advice. This article is not a substitute for professional medical assessment.
Subscribe to our email newsletter
© 2016 Emerging Writers’ Festival.
All rights reserved.