Quitting atenolol
Posted , 3 users are following.
I was diagnosed with postpartum hypertension about four months ago. The doctors put me on nifidipine initially but it wasn’t working great so after a few weeks they added atenolol. I was on 90mg nifidipine and 100mg atenolol as of three months ago. My blood pressure started going down not long after that so they gradually decreased my meds to what I am left with now. I am off nifidipine but still on 50mg atenolol. Last week the doctor said to stop the atenolol since my BP was quite low. I didn’t question it, so 70 hours ago I took my last 50mg tablet. I have only just done a bit of reading online regarding this and apparently stopping atenolol suddenly is a no-no.
My question is, it has been nearly 72 hours now. I have a headache and palpitations now and again (mainly when I’m lying down) but nothing horrible or painful. I have been keeping an eye on my BP and the highest reading so far has been 119/83. Should I take the atenolol and go for a second opinion or just go ahead with the withdrawal?
0 likes, 2 replies
Tee19 Shadowkat
Posted
The first thing you should do is call the Doctor who stopped it abruptly and explain what’s happening and speak to him/her about doing a taper off the medication versus stopping it all together... taking the drug again and going to get a second opinion is a whole separate issue but you need to be communicating with the doctor that stopped in the first place as they are the ones responsible for the decision and I would be making that call ASAP
If you’re having any distress I would report immediately to the emergency room and explain what happened
Best wishes
mike92384 Shadowkat
Posted
Shadowkat...Anything I know about beta blockers is that one should NEVER suddenly stop taking the med. Weaning is a must. I got this information not just from the leaflet, but from the Pharmacist as well. If you had been taking the Atenolol for just a few days, this may be a different story, but from what you've written, this isn't the case. I will guess you've been on the Atenolol just under 4 months.
I'm not a doctor by any stretch, but I do find it interesting that you were told to take 50mg to start with. I fail to understand why some doctors don't start with the minimum then increase if necessary.
Tee19 gave you some good advice. By all means consult the Dr., & if your symptoms should worsten, get to the ER.