Side Effects of Tenormin

  I recently switched high blood pressure medication from triametrene/hctz
  to Tenormin.  I feel SO much better (stopped nausea and dizziness).
  An added benefit was that the medication stopped irregular heart rhythm
  within an hour of the first dose.
  However, within a week my eczema was SO much worse. I read the drug side
  effects, and there was a reference to telling the doctor if I had eczema.  
  I get reactions from nickel and latex.  Nickel I can avoid, but latex is
  almost impossible to eliminate. Is there any way to stop this reaction
  other than stopping the Tenormin?  That would be a shame, since other
  than the rash, and the feeling that someoneis sitting on my chest,
  I am feeling so much better.

[CCF Cardio MD - MTR]

Dear Doris, thank you for your question.  I am unaware of the side effect of Tenormin that you mention.  It seems that a beta blocker is a better drug for you than a diuretic to control your high blood pressure.  There are many different types of beta blockers, so I recommend that you speak with your physician about switching to another beta blocker as a first alternative.  Other beta blockers may not exacerbate your eczema as Tenormin has.  
I hope you find this information useful.  Information provided in the heart forum is for general purposes only.  Only your physician can provide specific diagnoses and therapies. Please feel free to write back with additional questions.  Good luck!
If you would like to make an appointment at the Cleveland Clinic Heart Center, please call 1-800-CCF-CARE or inquire online by using the Heart Center website at www.ccf.org/heartcenter.   The Heart Center website contains a directory of the cardiology staff that can be used to select the physician best suited to address your cardiac problem.