I also was on propranolol for a while with no side effects. I don't agree with banglamom in saying the best cure is to stop taking your medicine. Some medicines can have side effects at first that wear off after you've been on them for a month or so.
Since I live in Iowa (low of -24 degrees the other day), it was a side effects that really bothered me. Now I am on 240 mg of Diltiazem and no side effects but it is not controlling the rapid pulse rate very well. My husband, who has A-fib, saw a mention on one of the discussion boards he reads of Beta Blockers lowering the levels of Melatonin in some patients and causing sleep disturbances.
Hi tom_h, Metoprolol is a cardio-selective beta-blocker, or in the the "selective" class of beta blockers. It only blocks on cardiac receptors (beta-1), so the side effects are limited.
Propranolol and Sotalol are non-selective beta blockers so they block all adrenaline receptors, (beta-1 and beta-2), so a lot more side effects on things that depend on adrenaline.
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.
I took beta blockers to prevent migraines. I did not like the effect on my mood. It seemed to remove the high points in my emotional life. My mood was flat.
I am currently taking Verapamil SR 360mg and my migraine have been cut from 4 times a week to 1. My doctor says that I may be on Verapamil for ~1 year. If the migraines continue to be controlled he will try to reduce the Verapamil.
Bisprolol and Propranolol are both Beta Blockers. It was very observant of you to have read the leaflet and caught the warning. But they mean don't stop taking Beta Blockers suddenly. You are substituting one Beta Blocker for another, so the warning does not apply. Bisprolol is a selective Beta Blocker designed to have most effects on the heart. Propranolol is non selective, it affects the heart and Beta Receptors elsewhere in the body.
"How they [beta-blockers] can cause depression: While scientists don't know exactly how beta-blockers cause depression, the three most commonly adverse effects reported with their use are fatigue, sexual dysfunction and depression."
From AARP
http://tinyurl.com/cyxbdun
Another site said that because propranolol was often given along with beta-blockers it's gotta be the propranolol. LOL
http://www.currentpsychiatry.com/index.php?
4 days ago pcp changed my beta blocker from propranolol 40mg twice daily to metprolol er 25mg daily d/t low pulse in 40s- 50s. Been on propranolol for 22yrs for PVCS. She had me just stop propranolol and start metoprolol, been experiencing shakiness, occassional pvcs, headache, nausea, pulse still 45 - low 60s at rest and with exertion 70-90. Should she have tapered propranolol or will the metoprolol block the more serious withdrawal symptoms ie: HTN, chest pain ect.
As Per pubmed
The effects of diltiazem hydrochloride, a vasodilator often used to treat hypertension, and beta-blockers (pindolol and propranolol hydrochloride) on lipid metabolism and carbohydrate metabolism were assessed by measuring serum levels of total cholesterol, high-density-lipoproteins (HDL)-cholesterol, triglycerides, and glucose in patients taking these drugs for three months.
I'm also having to take beta-blockers (Propranolol) daily. They help but not in a way to fall asleep and stay asleep.
My first BB was Toprol - my cardiologist at the time; called it her "wonder" drug and told me i wouldn't have to have an ablation and that it would cease my 50,000+ pvc's I was having.
I hadn't taken many meds before and I found out her wonder drug didn't work so well for me.
selective and non-selective. Selective beta-blockers, such as metoprolol, act primarily on the Beta-1 receptors in the heart. Non-selective beta-blockers, such as propranolol act on both types of receptors, in both heart and lungs. Propranolol and other medicines in its class are capable of evoking bronchospasm in people with asthma. Metoprolol is selective, but not entirely so; thus, asthma worsens in some people given this “selective” medicine and you may be one of them.
The Heart Rhythm Society did a few randomized trials to assess the efficacy of calcium channel blockers, beta-blockers and digoxin in SVT. A comparison of verapamil, propranolol and digoxin showed equivalent efficacy in a small group of patients. However, in general calcium channel blockers and beta-blockers are preferred to digoxin. Digoxin has been around for a long time! I used Digoxin over 50 years ago for my PSVT, and my recollection was that it did little to prevent episodes.
Hi there. Acebutolol is a beta blocker. The effects of ALL beta blockers is to lower blood pressure and heart rate and as a consequence, the drugs usually cause drowsiness. I'm surprised it was not one of the first side effects listed on your disclaimer form.
As for the blurry vision, this is a side effect that is unusual and unnerving. You should contact your doctor right away and report this reaction as he/she may feel that you need to lower your dosage or change beta blockers.
Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) associated with propranolol therapy are similar to other lipophilic beta blockersBeta blockers, including propranolol, have an additive effect with other drugs which decrease blood pressure, or which decrease cardiac contractility or conductivity.So the short story is that"yes"it probably is the beta blocker.But saying that see how you get on with them,it will take at least one- two weeks to really settle down.
Have tried any other beta blockers besides Propranolol? Physicians sometimes have a go-to drug perhaps because they've been using it for so long and are not familiar with perhaps more modern drugs. Propranolol, aka. Inderal has been around for a very long time. Because of it's non-selectivity, it is used for a number of treatments other that cardiac issues. This could be one reason why you don't feel "right" when taking it.
Modafinil as very few side-effects compared to the amphetamines and other stimulants doctors often use to treat lethargy or attention deficit disorder.
If your looking for something more like a supplement I recommend you eat a good breakfast (cereals like Vector are supplemented and are good for energy). The most bioavailable energy you can get naturally is from food, not supplements. Well balanced breakfast should improve your energy levels.
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