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What Is The Remedy To Avoid Side Effects Caused By Beta Blockers Taken For Anxiety And High BP?

Posted on Mon, 6 Jan 2014

Question: Hey, I'm from India. I'm 20 year old male. I was diagnosed with Anxiety disorder, High Blood Pressure and the doctor prescribed beta-blocker(inderal 40mg) for one month. I got this probably due to exam stress and pressure. I've been taking this tablet every night from the last 4 weeks. Now I'm feeling uncomfortable. I get tired, Shortness of breath, Cold feet,Tightness and mild pain in the chest and have Acidity. I wake up tensed only at night immediately after falling asleep! Should I stop taking the tablets?. I'm done with the exams. My blood pressure now is around 135 Thanks

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (1 hour later)

Brief answer....these are the side effects of inderal and hence it must be discontinued but only after talking to your doctor and gradually. Detailed answer.... Hello, Thanks for the query. The symptoms you are having are the classical side effects of beta blockers( INDERAL ) and hence it must be stopped,but only after talking to your doctor and under his supervision. The abrupt stopping of INDERAL should be avoided as it results in withdrawal symptoms like increase in blood pressure,angina,faster heart rate,sweating,palpitations,tremors etc. The drug should be discontinued by gradually reducing the dose and having a continued watch on your blood pressure as well as withdrawal symptoms ( as mentioned above ) . If your blood pressure rises again,then you have to take the blood pressure medicine from some other class and you must be subjected to detailed investigations to look for the cause of high blood pressure,since high blood pressure at such a young age is generally due to some underlying cause in body. You must make some life changes in future like... Doing exercises regularly. Reducing weight,if overweight Yoga,meditation and deep breathing exercises. Quitting smoking and moderating alcohol. Avoiding junk foods Taking more of green vegetables and fresh fruits. I hope it helps,however you may revert to me for any further query. Best of luck Thanks

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

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (16 minutes later)

Thanks. I'll follow your instructions.. My doctor told me that blood pressure is due to exam anxiety. I was getting panic attacks. He says I'm suffering from GAD... I don't smoke or drink. The doctor told me to reduce to 20mg and I did but the problem got worse. I again started taking 40mg without taking to him. The problem is I'm not in Station.... Can I consult a new doctor? Thanks

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (9 minutes later)

Hello, The best way to reduce the dose of INDERAL is to go very slow on it. Reduce the quantity by 5 mg every week.This way,you wont have any rebound symptoms. You must consult a doctor and get prescription of anti anxiety medicines. There is no harm in changing the doctor and better would be to consult a psychiatrist. Thanks

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

Follow up: Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (6 minutes later)

Thanks for the tips. I have another problem . I noticed that after Talking Inderal, I feel uncomfortable in public places like Theatre or in closed places. Is it normal? or is due to Anxiety?. Thanks

Answered by Dr. Pavan Kumar Gupta (44 minutes later)

Hello, This symptom is due to your anxiety only. Thanks

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