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Q. I have had anxiety attacks several times in the past 15 years. Always before I have been given Xanax and in several days I would be okay. Then I would take the pills as needed occasionally.
Last week when I went to the doctor and told him I was having anxiety attacks again, he prescribed the blood pressure pill atenolol. Have you ever known atenolol to be given for anxiety? When I tried it I developed an upset stomach and lost my appetite.
A. Atenolol has not been approved for anxiety. Such beta blockers are primarily prescribed for blood pressure and heart problems. Doctors sometimes prescribe propranolol or atenolol for the physical symptoms associated with stage fright, but these drugs are not appropriate for general anxiety (Journal of Clinical Psychiatry, Aug. 2006 Suppl.). Alprazolam (Xanax) is approved for anxiety and short-term use is often quite effective.
My family has a history of anxiety, including myself. In the past few months I have had incidents of a flushing feeling, extreme sweating and the need to lay down due to an anticipation of fainting. In the first episode, I was taken to the emergency room to rule out any serious problems, and they did indeed determine there were no serious problems which had caused this. However, a follow-up visit to my doctor determined my blood pressure was high, and she prescribed blood pressure medication as well as Xanax and Prozac.
How can I tell whether the anxiety is causing the blood pressure to rise, or the blood pressure is causing me to be anxious due to the discomfort of feeling hot and faint? I do not wish to take a blood pressure medication when I perhaps should be controlling the anxiety with medication and/or by seeing a mental health professional. Could you please comment. Thank you.
ATENOLOL IS DANGEROUS TO SOME PEOPLE. AFTER MY 3 BY-PASS HEART SURGERY IN 1999 JUST FEW DAYS TAKING ATENOLOL I HAD SEIZURES MANY TIMES, KNOCK DOWN HIT THE FLOOR. LUCKILY, THERE WAS NO SHARP OBJECT. MY EYE GLASS FRAME WAS DAMAGED A LITTLE.
Is atenolol given or helpful for essential tremors?
A friend was on 200 mg Sertraline (Zoloft) for depression & anxiety, prescribed by a shrink. The friend still had anxiety, but to a lesser degree. Many months later, a dermatologist prescribed an antihistamine, Hydroxyzine HCL tablets 25mg/day, to treat hives resulting from an allergy. To my friend's utter delight and amazement the anxiety disappeared in a few days!
She told her shrink about it and he confirmed that this antihistamine is sometimes prescribed for anxiety, and he added Hydroxyzine Pamoate capsules 25mg/day to her normal 200mg/day Sertraline prescription. The "Pamoate" capsule version of Hydroxyzine was not effective at relieving the anxiety and it caused headaches. Her shrink changed her prescription to the "HCL" tablet version and now she no longer has anxiety.
I have taken Atenonol, for about a year. It is very effective for blood pressure, and does seem to help with moderate anxiety. I have had no ill effects.
I suffered from mild anxiety disorder with occasional anxiety attacks six years ago. My doctor also said I had blood pressure slightly high.
He prescribed Atenolol as an "oldie, but a goodie" for my symptoms. It controls my BP and my anxiety with no side effects.