High blood pressure symptoms - High blood pressure treatment
Has anyone else felt drowsy on beta blockers.
I have been taking atenolol for my blood pressure problem for about six months. At first I felt fine but now I’m tired and drowsy most days with cold cold hands and feet. Is this due to the beta blocker tablets?
I looked at the leaflet that came in the packet and it mentions lethargy so I suppose it is connected but what do others think?
Has anyone else had side effects from attenolol?
Mary Smith - Newcastle
Welcome to The Pressure Point.
My name is Doctor Gordon Cameron and I'm a doctor based in Edinburgh, Scotland. I specialize in blood pressure treatment for two reasons:
Firstly - I see many thousands of people with the condition each year and I understand the problems that high blood pressure and its treatment can cause.
Secondly, I suffer from raised BP myself and take treatment every day so I really do understand the problems from both sides of the equation. I've taken pretty much every medication on the market at one time or other, and have used or tried most of the natural remedies and cures.
Join me as we share blood pressure experiences and find a way to keep you healthy and well.
David O'Hara
May 11th, 2009 at 12:52 pm
Beta blockers are well known for causing drowsiness and fatigue.
You should ask your GP some very specific questions about why you were prescribed this type of drug. In 2006 the BMA advised doctors not to use beta-blockers for routine hypertension treatment. There are newer drugs that are much more effective and with less side effects and risks.
My wife was on Atenolol for several years and hated them. She was very active and the beta-blocker took it all out of her. She turned to natural methods, mainly slow breathing, and quit Atenolol over a year ago. Now she is able to run again every day and feels great.
Mary
July 14th, 2009 at 6:55 pm
Hello,
Have you every heard of Wellbutrin elevating you BP? This recently has happened to me now I have to ween myself off it slowly. I was taking 300mg.
Gill Short
November 22nd, 2009 at 7:33 am
Hello,
I have been on Atenolol for about 4 months and have been feeling tired and lacking my usual enthusiasm, I have also had ringing in the ears. I loved reading your comments David about your wife turning to natural methods, I am hoping to gradually quit the atenolol so you have inspired me. Natural is definately they way to go.
Gill Short
Hawthorn