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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.
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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.
I have a long history of anxiety and panic attacks. I am also a performing musician which can often cause performance anxiety. I have been prescribed Xanax off and on over the years along with a myriad of antidepressants like Prozac, Cymbalta, etc. Several months ago my doctor added Atenolol to my Xanax and Cymbalta. I have had ZERO benefit from the Atenolol. In fact as far as my mental state I think I was better without it. With the increased risks of type 2 diabetes and other side effects I have decided this is definitely not the drug for me.
I think doctors get frustrated and desperate and start reaching for drugs not necessarily ideal for treating my problems. Since starting the Atenolol I have lost interest in everything, I am tired all the time, I am having Hemmingway Black-Assed days (severe depression) sexual difficulties, my mood is dark and everyone in the house hates the man I have become. I don't much care for me either. (Can you tell I am severely unhappy?)
I am beginning a decreased dosage as of today and wish me luck as I understand this can be somewhat difficult. I will try to return here at a later time and share any progress as it may help some of you. In the meantime I would be interested in any suggestions and comments.
Thanks all
John
I have anxiety attacks since I was 14. I am now 25. I was given Atenolol a few years ago at 25mg-75mg a day due to blood Pressure going to about 189/92 when I have attacks. Then I was taken off.
Last night I had such a bad one I went to the hospital. I felt a flush from head to toe, anyways the doctors put me back on it for:
A.) It helps open veins when blood is trying to flow through in Hypertensive states
B.) Yes it has been proven to work With SOME PEOPLE ONLY.
In this case it is on my side.
I take 10mg of Lexapro, 1mg of Xanax XR and 1, 25mg Atenolol if needed usually counting if I have more then 60 beats of pulses in my wrist.
So bottom line....It works for some .....just like any medicine everybody is different.
Also within 1 Hour after taking it, My blood Pressure was 187/97 and it dropped to 126/81 which I haven't had a number that good in years.
So bottom line....we gotta find the right medicine for us all. I'm not suggesting it but we all are different.
I also now am having trouble with my Xanax, CVS pharmacy has ordered new generic's that do NOT feel the same. So now I'm having to hunt one down that will have the same ones every month.
If anyone ever needs to talk about Anxiety Issues I am here this is my 11th year with them now.
To all of you.... I know how you feel
Joshua
P.s. They always pass and nobody has ever died in the History of Anxiety attacks, regardless of how it feels, Everything will be alright.
hello everyone. I was just given atenolol for svt heart palps. And yes I do have moderate blood pressure... what I'm worried about is will this atenolol slow my heart rate down to much?
He said it was for the svt. I am on hctz and iI do take a half a xanax a day. Does anyone have svt? I am soo scared I never know when I'm gonna have an episode. Thanks for your help.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: WORK CLOSELY WITH YOUR DOCTOR. IF YOU FIND THE ATENOLOL SLOWS THE HEART RATE TOO MUCH, YOUR DOCTOR WILL WANT TO ADJUST THE DOSE.
I've been prescribed atenonol for about a month or 2 now and feel like my anxiety has gotten worse. Although it helps prevent my migraines and keeps my blood pressure down but now feeling of anxiety is harder to deal with daily, and feeling it everyday since I've been on this med. As for my Dr., all she did was refer me to behavioral health all because I said that "I think too much" and by thinking too much I think that's how my anxieties start.
Why do I feel this way? Why am I getting anxious all the time? atenonol is NOT helping at all with my ugly anxiety feelings.
PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: ATENOLOL CAN HELP WITH THE RACING HEARTBEAT OF A PANIC ATTACK, BUT IT IS NOT CONSIDERED AN ANTI-ANXIETY DRUG. YOU MAY WANT TO ASK FOR A REFERRAL TO A PSYCHOLOGIST VERSED IN COGNITIVE-BEHAVIORAL THERAPY. IT SOUNDS AS IF THAT WOULD BE A GOOD FIT.