I am a 37 year old female and was was started on Atenolol .25 mg 1x/daily for rapid heart rate due to anxiety issues yesterday. I also take .5 Xanax as needed. I'm feeling a little light headed today and have diarrhea. Is this normal when starting this med? I had an AWFUL reaction to Zoloft, so now I'm super leery of trying new meds. Any info/feedback would be greatly appreciated.
Atenolol - how long for side effects to subside?
Question posted by jenesa26 on 28 Feb 2013
Last updated on 28 February 2013
Answers
DzooBaby
28 Feb 2013
Dizziness is pretty common. You may want to be sure that your blood pressure isnt dropping too low. Diarrhea is often a possibility with most meds. It could be related to the drug or it may just be coincidental but I would mention both effects to your Dr. If your blood pressure is usually normal or on the low side, the Atenolol (and the Xanax for that matter) may be dropping it too low making you lightheaded so check your blood pressure.
jenesa26
28 Feb 2013
Also, how long before the meds are 'in my system', i. e. no side effects? I've heard anywhere from 1 to 2 weeks? Is that correct?
DzooBaby
28 Feb 2013
Give it a week or two, if they havent got better by then you will need to talk to your Dr. When you change positions like from laying to sitting, sitting to standing etc. be sure to do so slowly to give your blood pressure time to equalize out before taking off walking so that you dont get dizzy and fall. Stay well hydrated.
jenesa26
1 March 2013
Talked with the pharmacist this afternoon... he said exactly what you said. :-). I've been taking the atenolol in the morning followed by my Xanax about 30 minutes later. He told me to wait at least an hour before taking the Xanax, or even taking half a Xanax. Or, I might need to take the atenolol at night. I'm going back to the doctor in the morning after I take my atenolol dose to have them check my bp. Like I said, after the fiasco with the Zoloft, I am a freak about meds. The pharmacist said I'm on the lowest dose and that it's going to take an adjustment period for my body due to the fact that my heart has been racing 90 to nothing for so long. I really hope my body evens itself out on these, because they really seem to help, but I don't want to be sluggish either. There's always a catch 22, isn't there ??
Related topics
xanax, anxiety, generalized anxiety disorder, atenolol, side effect, heart, female
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