Beta Blockers-Depression?

[slidenspin90]

Hello,
I'm just curious to see if anyone else out there has experienced Depression/Anxiety as a side effect to Metoprolol? 7 weeks ago, I was put on Metoprolol ER, 50mg a day. As a child, I dealt with Anxiety and phobias on a pretty high level, and went through years of counseling. Over the past few years, I have had everything under control, and been doing beautifully, barely noticing any real issues from my past.

I was put on the Metoprolol to help control some issues with my heart. It was an immediate downhill slide into depression. At 5 weeks on the medication, I had a breakdown, and was admitting into a Psychiatric Unit for 3 1/2 days.

The Psychiatrist I saw while I was on the Unit told me that severe depression, suicide ideation or attempt, and anxiety are side effects of this medication sometimes.

Now that I'm home, and a bit more stable, I'm curious to see if anyone else out there has had to deal with this before? My cardiologist believes that I need to stay on a Beta Blocker, regardless of my severe reaction to Metoprolol.

[vienna13]

It is only a speculation from your doctor; you said you had depression before. That is only known depression is a side effect of beta blocker because it is listed on paper. But, don’t you all think people get depressed from the fact (especially at young age) they have to take beta blocker. It is a constant reminder dally for them they are now on a serious medication, that they can take, let me see how long 15-20 years and then???  Also a young person can worry about sexual dysfunction. I know OP is a woman, but just think about it how many young male reported “depression”. Because they felt @it about the whole issue: that they are not in perfect health anymore……
Well my friends this is how statistic on making.:)
In a meantime I am taking my metoprolol at age 60, started 7 years ago, without no problem at all.

[Occupant]

Depressions are actually a known side effect of Toprol XL. I just never had them.

[mzak69]

I was just put on Metaprolol for PVCs. I'm depressed too, but I don't think it's because of the drug. I'm bummed because of these darn PVCs.

I think the fact that you are having heart problems could be the cause of your depression, not the drug. It's normal to get depressed when you have a problem such as this, so don't feel that you are alone.

[curmudgen]

Taking 100mg ToprolXL for about a year...good BP control ... no side effects.

[Occupant]

I was on Toprol XL for a number of years, but only 25mg. I hated the side effects such as shortness of breath and nightsweats, but never depressions. Then I went to see a cardiologist and he took me off the beta blocker and prescribed a calcium channel blocker - 5mg.