beta blockers

[Phantom111]

is there a substitute for this metoprolol? it makes me stutter, forgetful...
embarrassed...

[Jerry_NJ]

Ask your doctor about calcium channel blockers... they reduce high blood pressure and can also slow the heart rate.  They operate in a totally different and relax arteries, making it somewhat easier for the heart to move blood throughout the system.  Beta blocker directly affect the electrical heart pulse signals, blocking some of them.

I take both, and I believe the side effect of fatigue I feel are mostly due to the Metoprolol BB.

[DeltaDawn23]

I was switch from Toprol which caused my bp to drop too low and made me dizzy.  My EP switched me to Atenolol which, he said, does not cross the blood-brain barrier and not cause the dizziness.  I took it alone for 7 years and controlled afib with it.

[Jerry_NJ]

Is Atenolol a beta blocker? (Could look up but I ask here for all readers).

My cardiologist has never suggested an alternative to Metoprolol (generic Toprol) to Atenolol when I had low BB problems, when I was at the 200 mg level.  His solution was to lower the BB dose and add CCB.  As both lower BP it would seem a catch22, but no so as my BP is mostly normal. I still have some dizziness when I first stand from a long period of sitting/resting.  That is part of why I am now undergoing some further tests... including a 30 day monitor, which has not yet arrived.

[seaweib]

I use calcium channel blockers on occasion and have little side effects.  I certainly have not ever noticed any type of mental side effects in terms of forgetfulness or confusion.  Really the only side effect I've encountered are mild headaches.  I believe that calcium channel blockers are designed to accomplish much of the same as BBs in terms of lower heart rate and blood pressure so I would check with Doc and see if he/she thinks it would be worth a try substituting.

[DeltaDawn23]

Yes, Atenolol is a beta blocker.  It does not come in an extended release so I have to take it in halves or sometimes quarters, depending on low my bp is.  I take from one or two 25 mg. tablets a day.  My heart rate pretty much stays in the 50's.  Toprol was very debilitating for me.  I get some dizziness from time to time, especially when I stand up quickly and start walking. I am trying to remember not to do that, to wait a minute and then start out.  Several of my meds cause dizziness. Good luck on the monitor and getting the dizziness resolved.

[is_something_wrong]

Atenolol is a beta blocker, but its half-life is far longer than what is the case with metoprolol (6-9 hours vs 3-4 hours). So extended release is not quite as necessary.

Some beta blockers are able to cross the blood-brain barrier and some are not. Propranolol and metoprolol are fairly able to do so, but Atenolol is, as far as I know, not. Which means, propranolol and metoprolol can provide more cognitive side effects (forgetfullness, confusion, mood disturbances, etc.) than Atenolol. Which unfortunately means that beta blockers aren't necessarily fun meds even though all of them end with -lol :)

On the other hand, some beta blockers that are able to cross the blood-brain barrier may have an anxiolytic effect.

Depending on the blood pressure, CCB's can actually increase heart rate (if baseline blood pressure is normal or low). CCB's are great for rate control in atrial fibrillation due to their direct effect on the AV node, but I'm not familiar with them having any significant effect to lower heart rate when in sinus rhythm (as far as I know).

[Jerry_NJ]

[Atenolol is a beta blocker, but its half-life is far longer than what is the case with metoprolol (6-9 hours vs 3-4 hours). ]

Ouch, when I asked to move from the slow release BB to normal BB, Metoprolol, to save money I had no idea the half life is so short.  If I understand half life that says in 8 hours my medication level is to 25% and at 12 hours (2 half lives) down to 12.5% almost the same as empty.  I take every 12 hours, approximately.  I'll ask my cardiologist about Antenolol, maybe it will reduce my dreaming problems too.  

I take CCB to lower AFib driven high HR.

[helyanna]

I have used atenolol since the nineteen eighties and found it almost the only good medicine for me. I cannot use calcium channel blockers or other beta blockers, becaus ethey worsen my rhythm. My daily dose is maximal, 100 mg.

[DeltaDawn23]

Let us know how this works out for you.  I want to keep informed on these meds as I may have to switch again some time in the future.  The half life thing is news to me -- I always thought they lasted a shorter time.  I am having the vivid dreams since my increase in Norpace, but come to think of it, I've also increased my Atenolol.  

[bundleblocker]

Hi guys: I haven't been on this site for quite a while. Still have the Afibs, mostly at night, still take Flecainide twice a day and Warfarin. Cut my Metoprolol to 1/2 pill daily as I hated not b eing able to get my HR up when I am jogging, But the last few days my BP has been sky-high. 193/100 was the highest, 141/.70 the lowest. Nobody knows why. I recently changed from Diovan to another BP med, but that was 6 weeks ago. Waiting on bloodwork to see if the high BP has another cause. I have to admit I'm freaking out - scared I'll get a stroke. Not sure if it is safe to exercise. Hard to contact any of my docs as they are all so busy ---So I'll ask you guys. If my BP is still up around 150, is it safe to exercise? I'm going nuts not being able to run because of my fear of a stroke. Thanks in advance for any thoughts/suggestions!

[Jerry_NJ]

I don't know but I don't associate stroke with High BP, if you know it is related, then you have the answer.  But, exercise raises one's BP so that could, I will guess, put extra enlargement pressure on the heart, not good, but if the exercise is short, I'll guess again under 1 hour, then the extra pressure doesn't have much time to do damage.  

Still, get that 24/7 BP back where it belongs, that would be my main concern.