HealthCareMagic is now Ask A Doctor - 24x7 | https://www.askadoctor24x7.com

Can Beta Blocker Be Taken For Chronic Blushing?

Posted on Mon, 10 Aug 2015

Question: I have a chronic blushing problem, I blush when I get asked questions, at the till in shops and even with my family. I have tried ssri's and they work for a while but then they stop working and I hate the side effects of feeling zombified.
I want to ask my doctor about beta blockers would beta blockers help and to what extent? I don't think that she will want to prescribe them for me as I have asthma.

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (2 hours later)

Brief Answer:
cardio selective beta blocker like atenolol.

Detailed Answer:
Hello
Welcome to HCM.
I understand your concerns.

Beta blockers are contraindicated in asthma.

But cardioselective beta blockers like atenolol can be used in asthma patients who have anxiety.

Atenolol would be the right drug for you if you want to use beta blocker. This drug should help you.

Another option is non sedating antianxiety drug buspirone. This takes 2-3 weeks to show its effects but is good antianxiety agent.

Kindly discuss this with your doctor.
Hope this helps.

Take care.
Thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

And to what extent have you seen Atenolol reduce the physical symptoms like blushing in your practice if you have ever come across it?

Answered by Dr. Shubham Mehta (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
it works well in performance anxiety.

Detailed Answer:
In my clinical experience, atenolol works well in cases when there is performance anxiety.
The anxiety symptoms are overall reduced (including blushing).

I usually suggest my patients to take this drug only when they are about to face an anxious situation.

Hope this works for you as well.
Thanks.

Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar