Small dose of atenolol and pregnancy

[mmhcb]

Hi
2 years ago I randomly started suffering from pac's and occassional pvc's.  I was checked out at the time and my heart was found to be structurally normal.  However I was unable to cope with the number of these, and have been taking a small dose of atenolol daily since (12.5mg, one tablet cut in half).  I'm now 6 weeks pregnant, and tried to stop taking them but couldn't.  When I did, I was horribly anxious and couldn't cope.  I also experienced sleeplessness, tachycardia and the sensation of feeling my hearbeat all the time.  I was in constant tears and couldn't work or do anything at all.  After discussions with my doctor, he advised I should continue to take this as such a small dose should be safe for the baby and the potential risk of not taking could be seen as higher.  However, upon further research, I'm really scared about continuing the drug, (seeing it is a class D, and all the warnings about it on the internet) but equally as scared to stop it again.  I turn into a crazy person without it, which can't be good for the baby either.  I'm looking for a second opinion and thoughts on this.  More than anything I want to do the right thing for both me and the baby.  Please could you offer some advice?

[Grandmatobe]

I was atenolol prior to my first pregnancy (in the 80's) and my doctor switched me to digoxin once I became pregnant, as he felt if was a better choice during pregnancy.  Since there wasn't internet then, I guess I should look these up and see how these two drugs compare to one another during pregnancy :).

[Ashelen]

I had to take atenolol through the first 2 months of pregnancy...but when I went to see a high-risk OB they switched me to propranolol. I experienced no withdrawals and it worked equally as well. Atenolol can cause the baby's growth to be slowed..so my entire pregnancy I had extra u/s to make sure that his growth was not affected...it was not. he was born 7lbs10oz and 20 inches....nice and healthy.

you will need to be monitored for fetal growth, I might find another Ob if I were you because atenolol is NOT safe to continuously take and if you DO take it your baby's growth must be monitored..so if he is not recognizing these facts it may be a good idea to find another OB.

and for now you should request to be switched to propranolol. it's another beta-blocker, safer, and you will not go through withdrawals switching.

good luck sweetie try not to worry...growth restriction really is the only concern and from what I understand it's rare.