Beta Blockers vs Calcium Channel Blockers and weight gain - High & Low Blood Pressure Message Board

Mastiff4mee · 04-28-2009, 12:51 PM

My doctor prescribed a beta blocker which has really helped drop my blood pressure (which wasn't crazy high just about 140/98) but the best part was it brought my pulse rate to 75-80 consistently. (down from 110's) It has really helped me not feel so anxious.

My problem...I have gained 6 pounds in the past month while on Toprol XL 50mg a day. My doctor doesn't believe me that it is the medicine.

I am searching now on this board for:

[*]A Beta Blocker that won't make me gain weight
[*]A Calcium Blocker that may have the same effects of a Beta without the weight gain

Any suggestions from personal experience would be greatly appreciated!

Flutterbye77 · 04-28-2009, 04:17 PM

I think beta blockers can make people gain weight. I am not sure about the other meds you are on. I know when I started Azor and a water pill I gained almost 20 pounds in less than a year and my doctor and cardio doc both denied the pills made me gain.

I got it off, but then again I know people on the same meds as I was on and didn't gain an ounce.

Mastiff4mee · 04-28-2009, 04:23 PM

Sounds familiar...my doctor (who I really like) swears I'm nuts. I strongly disagree. Hoping someone has a suggestion on a drug that maybe hasn't caused weight gain and I can try another one.

Machaon · 04-29-2009, 02:58 AM

I've been taking the Beta Blocker Coreg for over a year. It has really helped me, and it definitely hasn't caused any weight increase. Coreg has been shown to be less likely to cause weight gain, than other Beta Blockers, especially in patients with Diabetes.

In my case, as I've increased my Coreg (Caredilol) dosage, I've experienced a slight weight loss, even though I have significantly increased the size of my meals. Of course...... everyone is different and may react differently to the same medication.

jamescott · 04-29-2009, 07:56 PM

I was on a beta blocker for PVCs and high blood pressure. Unfortunately, I experienced some strange side effects so my doctor switched to a calcium channel blocker. I haven't noticed any weight gain for either of the medications. I will state that the calcium blocker has done a far better job of controlling my PVCs. The blood pressure benefit has been about the same.