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Heart Disease (Expert Forum)
atenolol
This forum is for questions and support regarding heart issues such as: Angina, Angioplasty, Arrhythmia, Bypass Surgery, Cardiomyopathy, Coronary Artery Disease, Defibrillator, Heart Attack, Heart Disease, High Blood Pressure, Mitral Valve Prolapse, Pacemaker, PAD, Stenosis, Stress Tests.
atenolol
by Shirley__0, Mar 28, 1999 12:00AM
Posted by John on July 13, 1999 at 11:23:25
My mother, age 70, is taking atenolol, 25mg once a day after having an episode of fast heart rate one month ago---she had a chemical stress test that was negative, so her dr put her on one aspirin a day, plus the atenolol. She also suffers from irritable bowel syndrome, and is concerned that the atenolol is causing her to be more constipated than normal. I have checked with the pharmacy, and with the PDR, and constipation is listed but under 2% of less common symptoms. In your experience, is that common with someone older? Are there other meds that have a better chance of having less side effects, and if she continues on with atenolol, do the symptoms gradually resolve. The only other side effect has been a feeling of lethargy, and she is not even sure the constipation is due to the drug or to her IBS. Thank you for your time and response
Posted by CCF CARDIO MD JMF on July 14, 1999 at 08:13:12
Dear John,
Elderly patients can notice more symptoms with atenolol and beta blockers including constipation. I would have your mother discuss these sumptoms with her prescribing physician to see if a medication change is in order. HOwever, beta blockers are a mainstay of treatment in hear disese (disease) and it would be important to offer this therapy to your mom if she could at all tolerate these side effects.
