Beta Blockers Atenalol are they safe?

Question

I have been on atenalol for 2 years. I know there was a scare about them a few months ago. My doctor has kept me on them are they safe, has anyone been taken off them?

Answer 1

Ok, beta blockers (of which atenolol is one) are a very large group of medicines comprising many individual drugs which have different indications and may act differently in different people, so it's hard to answer that question with a blanket statement, but I'll tell you what I can.
First off, they, like all medicines, have side effects and have the potiential to do harm, so we do not indescriminately prescribe them to anyone, like all drugs, they require consideration of the patient's whole medical history as well as the condition for which they're being given.
That having been said, if used correctly, the potential benefit in many situations, from heart failure to high blood pressure to aortic dissection to heart attack outweighs to risk, to the degree that in some cases, it's considered standard of practice to give them to patients and there must be a VERY good reason not to if they are withheld.
I don't know whey you in particular are on atenolol and what your history is, but your doctor probably does, so the odds are that he has decided that the benefit outweighs the risk. If you're worried, get together as much information as you can and ask him, he should have a good reason to keep you on it that he can explain.
Sorry if that's a vague answer, but I'm just trying not to say anything that's not warranted by the information available to me.

Answer 2

there is NO drug out there that is 100% safe. ALL of them have side effects, read the inserts. What you need to do is weigh the pros and cons and make an educated decision about taking ANY drug. Ask the doc- if you don't feel comfortable with his answer, get a second(or 3rd, or 4th) opinion. Call the pharmacist-they can tell you if you can expect secondary effects from other meds you are taking. All in all, as a certified pharmacy tech myself, I think most of the "alarms" being sent out today are just a way of keeping the lawyers in business. Besides, a "good" medicine for one person may not be the best choice for another.

Answer 3

Please site your sources or check your facts for this supposed adverse effect. It does not exist. I work in the industry. I also checked on "pub med" which searches all of the scientific journals in the whole world for a journal article on this matter - I repeat - there is NO implication for Atenolol (or any other B-blocker) with increased risk of stroke.

Atenolol has been disputed as a primary hypertension medication. It is now considered a second-line agent after ACE inhibitors, diuretics, and to a lesser extent, calcium channel blockers.

B-blockers are very effective for helping treat arrhythmias and for treating people who have a history of coronary disease or are at risk for coronary disease (heart attacks). Certain B-blockers have specialized functions and are used for people with congestive heart failure.

As another person mentioned Atenolol is an older medication that has years of safety history. No medication is absolutely 100% safe...indeed driving to the grocery store is not 100% safe. If you have been taking Atenolol for two years with no known adverse affects, it is highly unlikely you will have any.

One other thing - thanks for spreading unsubstantiated rumors about a perfectly good medication.

Answer 4

There are safer alternatives, see your doctor for advice. If you are unhappy being on the Atenolol tell your doctor and ask to be put on an alternative drug.
I was taken off atenolol when I was diagnosed as diabetic, and put on Lisinopril.

Answer 5

What scare? I've also been taking atenolol and when i looked online just now, could find nothing about any "scare". Atenolol has been around for half a century - it's one of the safest drugs out there. ?????

Answer 6

Ive been on them for the last 18 months,no side affects.My doctors have kept me on them.

Answer 7

Yes I came off them but only because I had got my Blood pressure under control (Dr took me off them)
The only fault I found with them was that I had Pins & Needles in my left hand all the time I was on them , other than that I was fine

Answer 8

1

Answer 9

been on atenolol outwardly has no problems worked for me but a routine bp test showed my pulse had slowed down to about 35 bpm doc then took me off them

Answer 10

Oh my God, I didn't know anything about this. I have been on Atenolol for 4 years. I think I will check this out tomorrow with my Doctor. I will let you know the outcome. Thanks.