Beta Blocker question - Heart Disorders Message Board

Delia79 · 01-13-2008, 01:25 PM

I was wondering what the chances are of my doctor allowing me to quit taking a beta blocker while pregnant? I was prescribed Toprol XL 2 years ago for sinus tachycardia. While it's helped, I took it during my last pregnancy and wasn't real comfortable with it. According to the drug information, it is a class C drug meaning the effects on pregnancy are unknown. While my six month old daughter seems fine, she did end up having two holes in her heart. I am not saying the Toprol caused the holes, but who knows if they did or not. She was also smaller at birth, probably due to the beta blocker, or atleast that is what the doctor said. I don't really understand why I have the sinus tachycardia to begin with....they never gave me a reason. After having tests etc. they said my heart was fine and just to take this medicine every day. So I have. But I don't understand, is it normal for some people to just have a heart rate of 158 with no apparent cause? I really would rather not take the beta blocker at all, but if that is not an option, I would at least like to stop before becoming pregnant again. What would happen if I did? Is it dangerous?

Thanks for any help you can give!

fancis · 01-13-2008, 05:35 PM

I was just looking into this yesterday, but haven't talked to my Doctor yet.

From what I read (not sure how accurate though)...Toprol XL SHOULD NOT be taken at all during pregnancy. The sites I looked at said that other Beta Blockers would be OK IF medically necessary, including regular Toprol. I'm not sure what is so different about the XL version where the regular would be ok, but that's what the info I gathered said....

Possible side effects for the baby during pregnancy/after birth/breastfeeding were listed as being underweight and slowed breathing.

I read that it was Class D and not C?

Also, the smallest effective dose should be used.

Please post again if you find out any different info, or with what your Doctor said!

Thanks

Delia79 · 01-23-2008, 09:05 AM

FLME,
Thanks for your help! I did ask my GP about this last week. Unfortunately, she said I have to take it. She doesn't think it will cause a problem, but I am not so sure. Like I said, my six month old ended up with two holes in her heart. I had one when I was born as well. They said that could be the reason, maybe it's genetic, or something else caused it? Maybe the medicine? I don't know. On top of all of this I just found out I am pregnant again....will be due in Sept. I have been having really bad palpitations in the mornings....something I've never had before. While unsettling and really annoying, I know it's nothing terrible. However, I wonder if it's the hormones causing this from being pregnant? My GP does want me to go back to my cardiologist because she doesn't understand why they can't find a cause for the tachycardia. So I am not sure what to do. I am VERY uneasy about taking this medicine while being pregnant.....

hopesprings2 · 03-14-2008, 10:22 AM

kinda of a thing you must take it or get very sick your self
that wont help you any