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Mental Health (Expert Forum)
Paxil and Atenolol interaction
Answered by
Roger Gould, M.D. - Mental Health, Wellness
Questions posted in the Mental Health forum are being answered by Dr. Roger L. Gould, author of the Mastering Stress and Depression program and affiliated with the UCLA. Department of Psychiatry. Topics covered include anger, attention deficit disorder (ADD) , bipolar disorder , dementia , electroconvulsive therapy (ECT) , learning disabilities, memory, obsessive compulsive disorder (OCD) , panic , personality disorders, phobias , post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD) , schizophrenia , stress , transitions, and work problems.
Paxil and Atenolol interaction
by poy17, Jan 26, 2005 12:00AM
Hello - thanks for your time.
For sometime I have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and paraoxysmal superventricular tachycardia. I also have a history of panic disorder. I am currently taking 100 mg of Atenolol and .25 of Digoxin per day for cardiac purposes and .5 Xanax as needed.
Recently I attempted to begin a regimen of 10mg of Paxil and on the third day of taking the drug, experienced a drop in blood pressure and pulse (BP 100/50, P 50)
From what I could gather from my psychiatrist and internet sources SSRIs can interact with beta blockers and increase their dosage.
Are you familiar with this? How dangerous is this side effect and does this mean I would be unable to take any SSRI?
Thanks
Heather
For sometime I have been diagnosed with mitral valve prolapse and paraoxysmal superventricular tachycardia. I also have a history of panic disorder. I am currently taking 100 mg of Atenolol and .25 of Digoxin per day for cardiac purposes and .5 Xanax as needed.
Recently I attempted to begin a regimen of 10mg of Paxil and on the third day of taking the drug, experienced a drop in blood pressure and pulse (BP 100/50, P 50)
From what I could gather from my psychiatrist and internet sources SSRIs can interact with beta blockers and increase their dosage.
Are you familiar with this? How dangerous is this side effect and does this mean I would be unable to take any SSRI?
Thanks
Heather
Doctor's Answer
by Roger Gould, M.D., Jan 28, 2005 12:00AM
, Jan 28, 2005 12:00AM
Your sources are correct, and it is potentially dangerous, and your bp and pulse are the evidence. I would try to avoid it if possible, or do it only under supervision of a very experienced psychopharmacologist who has gone this route before.
We suggest you re-post your question in our free, online Heart Forum. The Cleveland Clinic Heart Center is consistently ranked the #1 Heart Center in America. Cardiologists from CCF's Heart Center will gladly answer your questions about drug interactions and your heart.
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