Beta Blocker medication side effects and benefits by Ray Sahelian, M.D.

A beta blocker is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure and heart problems. A beta blocker blocks the harmful effects of stress hormones on the heart. This medicine also slows your heart rate. Beta blockers can also be used to prevent migraine headaches in people who get them frequently. Nearly one in three adults in the United States has high blood pressure, also called hypertension, which can increase the risks for stroke, heart failure, heart attack, kidney failure, and death.
    

Names of Beta Blockers
This group of medicines is known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents, beta-blocking agents, or, more commonly, beta-blockers. Beta-blockers are used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension). Some beta-blockers are also used to relieve angina (chest pain) and in heart attack patients to help prevent additional heart attacks. Beta-blockers are also used to correct irregular heartbeat, prevent migraine headaches, and treat tremors. Some beta blockers are:

Acebutolol
Atenolol (brand name: Tenormin),
Betaxolol
Bisoprolol
Carteolol
Labetalol
Metoprolol (brand names: Lopressor, Toprol XL) - Toprol-XL, metoprolol succinate, is a beta1-selective (cardioselective) adrenoceptor blocking agent, for oral administration, available as extended release tablets. Toprol-XL has been formulated to provide a controlled and predictable release of metoprolol for once daily administration.
Nadolol
Nebivolol - In December 2007, FDA approved Bystolic ( nebivolol ) for the treatment of high blood pressure. Bystolic is a "beta blocker," a well-established class of medications that reduces blood pressure by reducing the force with which the heart pumps.
Oxprenolol
Penbutolol
Pindolol
Propranolol (brand name: Inderal). I like to take about 20 to 40 mg of propranolol before giving speeches. This beta blocker does work well for state fright.

Sotalol
Timolol

Alternatives
The only prescription medication I take is atenolol 25 mg twice daily. I have been taking it for about 10 years and am 54 years old and in pretty good shape. Just had a physical and most vital signs are looking good. I told the doctor I might be interested in an alternative if there was anything that might not make me as tired. He prescribed metropolol and I have not started it yet. Is there anything you can offer about natural remedies or alternatives.
   I am not aware of an herb or natural supplement that works the same way as a beta blocker. It depends what the

Beta Blocker side effect, danger, risk
The most common beta blocker side effects are cold hands and feet, tiredness and sleep disturbance (nightmares). Less common beta blocker side effects include, dizziness, wheezing, digestive tract problems, skin rashes and dry eyes. A beta blocker side effect that is most distressing to men is erectile dysfunction or impotence. Many doctors do not warn their male patients about this quite problematic beta blocker side effect.
   Diuretics and beta-blockers, used to treat hypertension, are associated with an increased risk of developing type 2 diabetes.

I have just became familiar with your website. Have you ever had an instance where Toprol was involved in neuopathy that you know of? I had an aortic valve replaced in Jan. of 09 and developed burning and tingling in late July. Both hands and feet were cold after surgery and started taking 25mg of Toprol then. One of the possible side effects of the drug according to the side effects printed on the notice when you have the prescription filled is lower blood flow to the hands and feet. Not asking any specific questions as to my situation but have you folks seen a situation where Toprol was a factor?
   Use of Toprol can result in drop in blood pressure and blood flow through the body because the heart is not pumping normally. Cold, tingling, or numbness in the hands or feet can occur.

Cardiorespiratory arrest in a healthy volunteer after a single l dose of 80 mg of the beta-blocker propranolol. Neurobiol Learn Mem. 2010 Sep 6. Rover MD, Noorden MS, Nieuwenhuis S, Wee NJ. Cognitive Psychology Unit, Leiden University; Leiden Institute for Brain and Cognition (LIBC).
 

Higher rate of cataract in eye
Dr. G. L. Kanthan from University of Sydney and University of Melbourne evaluated data came from the Blue Mountains Eye Study population, a population-based cohort study of older Australians. There was a borderline association between the use of oral beta-blockers or calcium-channel blockers and the incidence of nuclear cataract. Diuretics and ACE inhibitors, on the other hand, were not associated with the development of any cataract subtype. The use of oral beta-blockers and the use of ACE inhibitors significantly increased the likelihood of cataract surgery, whereas the use of other classes of antihypertensive medications did not predict incident cataract surgery. The use of topical beta-blockers appeared to increase the probability of developing nuclear cataracts and the probability of having cataract surgery, the researchers note. Br J Ophthalmol 2009;93:1210-1214.

Post MI beta blocker use

Long-term beta-blocker therapy may improve outcomes following an MI, but most patients stop taking these beta blocker drugs after just a few months. Drug cost does not appear to be a major determinant of non-adherence. Perhaps beta blocker side effects, for instance impotence or sexual dysfunction, may be one of the reasons patients stop taking these drugs.

Hypertension or high blood pressure medication
the available evidence does not support the use of BBs as first-line drugs in the treatment of hypertension. Leone AM; American Journal of Cardiology 105 May 2010.

Beta blocker for sleep apnea

Treatment with beta blocker drugs appears to improve the severity of central sleep apnea in some patients with chronic heart failure. Central sleep apnea involves periods when an individual stops breathing during sleep, which is caused by a failure of the brain to send appropriate signals to the breathing muscles.

questions
Q. I take a Doctor prescribed drug for a heart condition (an enlarged heart) called Nadolol which is a Beta Blocker. You mentioned on your site that an impotence cure can be achieved when some of these drugs are stopped. Is it possible that Passion RX will have any noticible effect in curbing my impotence while taking this Beta Blocker, will my attempts be futile until I am no longer taking this drug.
  A. We don't suggest using Passion Rx in anyone with a heart condition since it can lead to palpitations.
 

Q. I take Toprol XL 25 mg and Quinipril 5 mg, each 1x day. I also have a slight heart murmur controlled by the Toprol beta blocker. I am 48 years old and am experiencing a decline in sexual libido. I have no significant stressors with my partner or otherwise. I am interested in Passion Rx. To your knowledge are there any contraindications or health risks associated with my medications and the ingredients in Passion Rx?
   A. We don't recommend Passion Rx for those who have a heart condition, unless no more than a quarter of a capsule is used 2 days on, one day off, along with medical approval. Other gentler options include ashwagandha, muira puama, or Prostate Power Rx (even for women). It is preferable to use low doses, which in some instances may mean a portion of a capsule. As you doctor may have mentioned to you, beta blockers reduce sexuality.
 

Q. i have tried passion rx, tongkat ali, and muira puama, and nothing is working to increase libido, the passion rx makes me very sick to my stomack, i know the reason for this is the ashwaganda in this, which i took a while back, and it did the same thing. can you suggest any other herbs that might work to increase my sex drive and enhance libido. i currently take zocor, plavix and atenolol, for prescription medicine. any help would be greatly appreciated.
   A. Many of the sex herbs stimulate the heart and we don't suggest them for anyone with a heart or cardiovascular condition. Beta blockers inhibit sexual function and thus it may be difficult for the herbs to reverse this libido blocking effect from beta blockers. If your doctor approves, you could try a low dose of Prostate Power Rx but there is no guarantee since the beta blockers may overpower the herbal effect.
 

Q. I took the beta blocker Toprol at 25 mg a day and within a few days I had Toprol side effects such as muscle pain, joint pain, hip pain, ankle pain, foggy thinking, memory loss, I gave 40 dollars to a checkout counter lady and forgot to pick up the change. I just wasn't myself. Within 2 days of stopping the Toprol, the side effects went away. My systolic blood pressure was 140 and my doctor wanted to lower it. I am a 75 year old woman.