Atenolol (“ah TEN oh lol”)

I HAVE BEEN TAKING ATENOLOL FOR ABOUT 4 YEARS. I NOW HAVE BREATHING PROBLEMS, NUMBNESS ON THE LEFT SIDE ONLY, FEELING TIRED AND WEAK. DIARRHEA AFTER EATING.

Hi Patty. I'm sorry you're suffering the side effects of Atenolol... so many of us do. Have you talked to your doctor about the breathing problems? Are you on Atenolol for high BP?

I have been taking Atenolol (50 mgs per day) for approx 1 1/2 years. I didn't really feel any side effects the first year but then started feeling tired which increased slightly over time. Many nights I do not sleep well. My ankles sometimes swell. I also feel I'm sometimes in a a light mental fog. And I too get diarrhea.

None of my side effects are severe but they are annoying. It's important for me to add that I am in perimenopause so some of my symptoms may be attributed to that. On the upside the Atenolol has reduced my BP and helped tremendously with my Tachycardia. So I take the good with the bad.

It concerns me if I ever do need to back off the Atenolol... all the warnings... sheesh! :) But for now I put up with the side effects. If the fatigue gets any worse I'll be letting my doctor know.

I have been taking atenolol since 2000. I am losing my hair to where it's so thin now that I can see my scalp easily. I read on one of my prescription materials that it could cause hair loss, so I assume this is what is causing it. Thank you.

I have been on Atenolol for six weeks with Cardizam. I had pneumonia which caused Peri-card-itis. I am having side effects with loss of appitite, anxiety, numbness in my left leg and chills all the time. I had afib from the results of the peri-card-itis and that's why I am on these drugs. I am hoping to get off of the drugs. Depression is setting in and I am unable to function. It's time for me to seek other avenues.

My mum a week ago had angioplasty, and they put a stent in, and she feels a lot better. She has been taking atenolol tablets 50mg (half a tablet of this is required, so really she is taking 25mg per time). The problem is she is feeling so weak, sometimes dizzy, but cannot exerscise or do anything. The angioplasty was only one week ago, so it is fresh. But her weakness has been for two months now, and she still feels weak. She lies on the couch and normally she is an active lady who likes to organise and cook, clean and do everything. A Greek lady likes to be on her tippy toes.

Do you have any idea as to why she may be feeling very weak, as she hasn't got the energy or drive to do anything. I am looking after her, and I have been with her for two months caring for her.

Does atenolol 25mg give you side effects of light-headed, weak etc.? Thanks for your time.

soula.

I have been on Atenolol for 6 months for migraine headaches. I take 1/2 of a 25 m.g. tablet in the a.m. & the other half at night. I had to work through the extreme fatigue for the first 3 months. The doctor had to add HTCZ 12.5 mg for fluid retention. I was also having leg cramps.

This medication has helped with the migraines but side effects I have noticed are still fluid retention in my face & hands and weight gain. I am going to ask to be weaned off of this at my next doctor's visit and possibly try something else. My doctor would like for me to be able to work up to 50 mg. a day, but, I cannot tolerate that high of a dose because of the extreme fatigue.

I WAS ON ATENOLOL FOR 3 MONTHS. DEVELOPED ASTHMA AND SEVERE CHEST PAIN AND ENDED UP IN THE HOSPITAL TWICE. ALL TESTS WERE NEGATIVE FOR THE HEART, AND THE CARDIOLOGIST REALIZED THE ATENOLOL WAS CAUSING MY PROBLEMS, AND I WAS WEANED OFF ATENOLOL. I WAS PUT ON NORVASC AND HAD OTHER SIDE EFFECTS. I AM NOW ON AN EXERCISE PROGRAM AND CHANGED MY DIET, AND I AM TAKING APPLE CIDER VINEGAR 3 TIMES A DAY, AND MY BLOOD PRESSURE IS EXCELLENT. THE SIDE EFFECTS OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE DRUGS HAVE ME CONVINCED TO SEEK A HEALTHIER LIFE STYLE TO KEEP BLOOD PRESSURE NORMAL.

Hi all!
I posted about a month ago. I wish I could control my BP and Tachycardia with natural remedies, but I'm afraid that option is not open to me. The genes I inherited require a pretty aggressive approach to treatment which included prescription medications. As I stated before, I do suffer from mild to moderate side effects from Atenolol, but so far feel it's nothing I can't live with. I do worry about backing off of it if I ever have to. Anyone have any comments about backing off this medication? Was it bothersome? Bad side effects? I also worry about having surgery if that need ever arises, and I'm getting ready to have dental work done. Any comments? Thank you!

I have been taking Tenormin for about 7 years and I have been well. I am planning on getting pregnant, but I take tenormin 25mg 1 a day for my mitral valve prolapse. My heart beats really fast at times, that is why I take it. Now I have been reading not to take the medicine if I become pregnant. Is there something else that I would be able to maybe take that would help me that won't harm the baby?

I am taking atenolol for high blood pressure and i have noticed that my ankles are swelling for an unknown reason .Does Antenolol have a diuretic it? basically does it have anything for fluid retention in it???? any information would be greatly appreciated !

I take 25mg Atenolol for my fast heart rate. My blood pressure is normal but my heart rate is extremely high for a 41 year old. My doctor said it is like I am exercising while sitting still. I don't drink, smoke or drink caffeine - only water but it appears that I am gaining weight in my hands, feet and my body. I am going to ask about this when I go to the doctor because I cannot continue to exercise and eat right AND gain weight, that's just a no no. Any suggestions?

I've been on atenolol for `15 yrs or so. I'm just now feeling lightheaded, dizzy cold sensation in feet, swelling in ankles and numbness in feet. Could this be as a result of maybe taking this too long and it's not helping any more?

I have been on Atenolol for 10 years. I too experienced a slight weight gain. My main concern is that when I exercise for a one hour period on an elliptical at a moderate to high level I can not get my heart rate over 115. This is below the fat burn range and well below the cardio range I need. Is this medication keeping me from strengthening my heart or burning fat? I need to add that my pressure is 115 over 70 and my resting pulse is 61. I am 49 yo male and in general excellent health. I started this medication for borderline hypertension when I was not exercising. Do I need to stay on it and how do I come off of it without disrupting my system?

I had been on antenelol for high blood pressure and kept complaining to my doctor about fatigue, tiredness, light-headedness, swelling feet and ankles. I couldn't breathe or walk up a flight of stairs without stopping to catch my breath every two steps. I finally suggested that he change the medication. This medication was prescribed by another physician. I am a military dependent so its common to see many physicians. Anyway I am now on inderal which is suppose to help with high blood pressure and irregular heart beat.

It is ok but I am now noticing that my feet and ankles are beginning to swell with this medication also. I have develop asthma as well. Also there are days when I can't do anything but sleep. I would encourage anyone to try a natural approach to your health problems. I am convinced that these medications have caused me more harm than good!

I've been taking Atenolol for 6 yrs. for high bp. My insurance company changed to the generic Tenormin. My bp is much higher taking the generic. It's not as effective as the real thing. Anyone else had a similar reaction?

I took atenelol for high blood pressure for several years with no side effects. However, when I belatedly reported my problems with Reynaud syndrome, my doctor switched my medicine to amlodipine/besylate since he said that atenelol can exacerbate Reynaud's. Voila! No more numb fingers.

I've taken Atenolol for about 10 years starting with 50 mg daily for an arrhymia. Then increased to 75 mg and now 100 mg for high blood pressure and arrhymia showing up again. I have had some hair thinning, trouble sleeping and memory loss. I'm 66 years old, female. I exercise for an hour at a time on bike and elliptical trainer but don't try to get heart rate over 100-105. I would like to try an alternative drug.

I've been taking Atenolo for 2 years with some mild effects. My doctor has changed my dose to twice a day and I'm worried about the effects on my daily routine.

I started taking atenolol about 12 days ago. I went to the emergency room for tachycardia. They started me on 25 mg, but my pulse went down to the 40s, so I cut to a half (12.5 mg) then I had to to take two 50 mg.) last night due to bad tachycardia. It eventually helped, but then I was up with bad leg cramps all night. I wish there was something natural for an occasional tachycardia.

I have been taking atenonal for 12 years for BP. I recently began an exercise program 9 months ago and lost over 45 pounds my BP 120/70 HR 40. I asked my doctor if I could stop taking atenenol and he advised me that I would probably experience a rise in BP over the next two weeks and then we should watch for it to settle back down.

I then went on to do a presentation for a group of people 10 days after stopping atenonal, I began uncontrollable trembling, voice shaking and inability to breath, I was forced to end the presentation within 3 minutes of starting. Thinking that it was a panic attack, I went to a local doctor, who then informed me of the bad timing for stopping a beta blocker and then doing a stressfull presentation. I immediately resumed the medication and am wondering how I can now get off of it without adverse consequenses

My Doctor prescribed in error a dosage of 400mg of Atenol for my high blood pressure. After taking this for 6 months, I developed type II diabetes. I had no family history or previous indications of possible diabetes in my blood tests. After taking this dosage for 3yrs I discovered the overdose by accident. The doctor wants me to slowly reduce my dosage, but as of yet i've been unable to reduce my dosage below 200mg per day. Anything below that and my heartbeat will go over 100beats per minute. have retained an attorney and I'm hoping to sue the doctor and the participating pharmacy for malpractice.

I am a 48 y/o male on Atenolol for 11 years. Initially I had a run of A-Fib at the final stage of a 30 minute stress test with the treadmill at full elevation and full speed for 5 minutes.I realized I had been getting the same sensation at rest for several months, periodically, lasting several seconds. The 20+ lb. weight gain is my major complaint. Although my dog is in GREAT shape I cannot seem to lose the weight by walking briskly 3+ miles six days a week. I take 25mg once a day at bedtime, where it has the least effect for me. (drowsy is good at bedtime) Is there anything new that might be as effective?

I have taken a 50 mg atenolol for 8 years and I really like it. My MD added a diuretic about 5 years ago. It drastically reduced my pulse to 55, and brought down my BP. Retiring, and exercising every day, now has brought it down to 115/70. Nonetheless, I will continue taking it. Sure, it makes me lethargic and a little spacey, but I don't mind that at all.

I have been taking atenolol for the last 8 months since I experienced a minor stroke & migraines. I seem to have gained a lot of weight, about 7 lbs, just what I don't need, as the extra weight will cause increased risk of stroke or heart attack! I have been healthy until the TIA and will be asking my doctor for an alternative drug for blood pressure. I also get pins & needles & numbness in extremities & diarrhea each morning! I am not taking the statins!
marion.

My doctor put me on atenolol for tachycardia. It helped a lot for 6 years. I was weened off the medication and recently I had a massive heart attack! I'm 36 years old and my left artery was 100 percent blocked. I had a widow maker heart attack and they stented the artery and I have minimal heart damage thank god! I think the atenolol caused the heart attack. I just wonder what I can do about it?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE: STOPPING A BETA-BLOCKER (SUCH AS ATENOLOL) SUDDENLY CAN INCREASE THE RISK OF A HEART ATTACK.

I want to thank People's Pharmacy and the people who took the time despite no doubt having to struggle with the website to get their message sent, because reading their comments gave me my life back.

I had been on atenolol for a year and gained 22 pounds despite a low cal mostly vegetarian diet. I had nightly insomnia and debilitating fatigue. I had some problems remembering a word or name. My hair seemed to be thinning. Exercise became difficult and I would get short of breath. My heart felt as through there was a weight on it.

Then when I had two spells of dizziness that felt as though my brain was "frozen" and I was disoriented, I went to a neurologist. She had no diagnosis but gave me a prescription for neurontin, an anti-seizure drug.

When I got home, with no diagnosis, I threw the prescription in the trash. Then I went to my internal medicine doctor and told him the symptoms. At the end of the list, I mentioned I was getting depressed from the symptoms. He perked right up and ripped off a prescription for welbutrin, an anti-depressant. I didn't even wait to get home to throw that prescription away. Then I went to my cardiologist, she had put me on the atenolol, and she had no diagnosis either but she ripped off a prescription to DOUBLE the atenolol. When I got home I searched the internet and found People's Pharmacy and the comments from people who had the same side effects I had. On my own, over a period of about ten days, I went off the atenolol. That was nearly three months ago. I have lost nine pounds despite increasing my food intake because on atenolol I had been on a very restrictive diet to try (unsuccessfully) to prevent weight gain. I no longer have insomnia. I no longer have exhaustion and I can exercise again. There is no heavy feeling on my chest and that my heart is struggling to beat.

I am so grateful to People's Pharmacy and to those who commented.

Sincerely,
Barbara in Houston

Dear Barbara, I got really interested in your comment. I've been taking Atenolol for 3 years, and I have almost all the symptoms mentioned above. My cardiologist prescribed me 25mg of Atenolol daily because I was suffering of a cardiac arrythmia. I want to, as you did, get my life back. I was a very active basketball player, and now, I can't even climb stairs without feeling like dying. You said you went off Atenolol in a period of about ten days.

Can you please explain to me, like I was a 6 year old kid, how did you do it? Step by step. What did you feel? How many of your initial dose did you reduce every how many days? I would appreciate your help very much. I've tried a couple of times to stop taking it gradually, but when I start feeling complications, like anxiety, chest pressure, mild tachychardia, I get scared. I don't wanna end up having a heart attack or something like that.

Thanks in advance.

Giovanni in Guatemala.

I was taking atenolol for almost 2 years,together with Teveten. At first,my BP was well under control, until recently, my BP was fluctuating over the last 6 months. But since I started taking atenolol, I was feeling these side effects like most of the people has described on this site, feeling lethargic, lazy, depressed, difficulty in breathing, sleeping too much, anxious, dizziness and light headedness. It is affecting my work and daily activities, even exercising is affected. Very devastating side effects! Gained some weight too!! I know some are OK without any of these.

The SPECIAL PRECAUTION written in bold letter above really means something. I had a bad experience when I decided to STOP it by my own. I started tapering from 50mg. to 25mg. for 2 months, and then to 12.5mg. for 2 weeks, then decided to stop it, which was last Aug.01. The very first day, I felt BIG improvement on my feelings! Breathing has improved, without the asthma like symptom, and much less lightheadedness. However, 2nd day and succeeding days, I had spikes on my BP accompanied with anxious and terrible feelings, maybe worse and more devastating than the previous side effects. I am sure these are the withdrawal symptoms of Atenolol.

I decided to see a new cardio and guess what he asked and told me???"Who prescribed you this med? This is a BAD medicine"!! He prescribed me with ISOPTIN SR (verapamil)120 mg, to be taken at bedtime. My blood pressure started to gradually improve back to normal. I have been on it for almost 17 days, with the lesser magnitude of the withdrawal symptoms. It may take sometime, as many has said, depending on how long you are taking the atenolol. On my next consultation, I will ask my cardio if the Teveten may also be the cause of the residual symptoms.

In general, I am feeling much better now, and I had my LIFE back, at work and in my other physical activities, THANK GOD ALMIGHTY!!. This site is really very helpful, and I hope my experience can help somehow other people.

Hi, I have read all of the comments and am concerned. I lost my health insurance and have run out of atenolol. I have been taking 25mg daily for about 3 years for migraines and also I have a hole in my heart that no doctors want to operate on - saying it might be fine w/o an operation so far so good...anyway, i have stopped suddenly as i have no way to get a hold of more, i had some of these side effects but had no idea they were from the drug.

Since going off i have terrible headaches and am constantly tired & irritable. i am scared about the cold-turkey of going off the drug, am i going to be ok?

PEOPLE'S PHARMACY RESPONSE:

Please check in with your physician. It is entirely possible that you could get a month's supply of atenolol from a big-box pharmacy like Wal-Mart or Costco or Target for $4 or $5, which could tide you over until a conversation with your MD. Gradual tapering is usually the best approach with beta blockers like atenolol, but since you don't have hypertension or an irregular heart rhythm it may be less of a problem.