Info on weaning off of a beta blocker

nenna71 · 06-19-2005, 10:58 AM

Hi, I am in need of info on how to wean myself off of a beta blocker. Up until two weeks ago I was on 50MG of Atenolol which was causing my hair to fall out. I tried switching to Micardis but my Dr. didn't have me wean off of the beta blocker, just had me stop taking it. I was miserable for a few days and could no longer take the rapid heart rate (I took the atenolol for high blood pressure, not tachycardia) so my Dr gave me Toprol XL 25MG. Sigh! Yet another beta blocker. If one beta blocker made my hair fall out, won't they all?

Anywho, I want OFF of these damn beta blockers. Can anyone give me info on how to get off the Toprol and onto the Micardis safely before I wake up will all my hair on my pillow!

Thank you,

Brenda

skylark · 06-19-2005, 12:35 PM

I was on 100mg of Toprol xl for about 5 years. a few months ago I started changing my diet (more fruit & veggies) cut out a lot of salt. Did more exercise. got my numbers to around 112/74. went to see Dr. she gave me 2 weeks supply of 50mg Toprol xl and 1 week of 25mg Toprol xl.
After the 3 weeks she said to just stop. I have been feeling great. and my numbers are still around the 112/74. I am still on Diovan HCT. she gave me a lower doze and I'm hoping to get off these as well.

zuzu8 · 06-19-2005, 03:23 PM

Brenda,

I think someday soon, you need to wean yourself off this doctor!

Knowing that atenolol may have been the cause of your hair loss, to put you on another beta blocker doesn't make much sense. And to tell you to just "stop" after a year was idiocy.

Are you now taking the Toprol with the Micardis??

As long as the Micardis alone is enough to control your BP, and you want to start weaning of the Toprol now, you could try 25mg Toprol every other day for about a week or ten days (is it a "splittable" pill?), monitoring your heart rate and BP all the while and see how you feel. Then, if you're feeling okay, stop.

zuzu xx

nenna71 · 06-19-2005, 09:11 PM

Thanks for the replies! I agree with you zuzu my Dr made a bad call by telling me to just stop the atenolol. I actually am going to start weaning myself this evening off of the Toprol. My tablets can be cut in half so I took 12.5 mg this evening and I will monitor my numbers tomorrow. Should I also take the Micardis with the smaller dose of Toprol...at this point I am not taking any Micardis.

Brenda

zuzu8 · 06-20-2005, 04:14 PM

Nenna,

I thought you were already taking Micardis when the doc added Toprol.

Did Micardis not work for you?

What is your unmedicated BP?

I think you should call him and tell him you're weaning...otherwise you are handling your blood pressure alone without any backup.

zuzu xx