Posted by simcha on February 4, 2008, at 19:18:44
In reply to Re: Beta Blockers and Depression » Larry Hoover, posted by Abby Cunningham on February 2, 2008, at 9:49:45
> Larry, I take 25mg. atenolol (my doctor calls it a "baby dose") for supraventricular tachycardia, along with verapamil SR 240mg. and have for many years.
>
> They first put me on 50mg atenolol and I cut it in half right away on my own, and told the cardiologist when I went back; he said "OK".
>
> eMedicine says atenolol does not cross the BBB. If that is the case how can it cause depression? Just trying to understand. And should I try the other beta blocker in such a small dose?
> Thanks,
> AbbyAbby,
I also have Supraventricular Tachycardia in the form of Ectopic Atrial Tachycardia.
I take 120mg of Sotalol 2 times per day. It's an anti-arrhythmic and beta blocker. I was given this drug by my Cardio-Electrophysiologist after two catheter ablations failed to cure the EAT. I'm chronic so I cannot stop taking my medicine or my heart rate goes up to 160-180 beats per minute.
Therefore, as someone who suffers from the same condition I advise you to go see your cardiologist or whoever prescribes you your heart medication. I know it can be dangerous to adjust this stuff on your own.
Also, I took Toprol XL 100mg (the beta blocker metoprolol) per day before the catheter ablations. And I had to discontinue it because it caused me terrible insomnia. The Cardiologist swore that Toprol XL wasn't supposed to cause this type of psychological side effect. But it did for me.
He switched me to Cardizem (a calcium channel blocker) and while it didn't control the Tachycardia very well, it didn't cause me insomnia.
The Sotalol I'm on now doesn't seem to affect me psychologically. What I know about Sotalol is that you must be in the hospital for the first three days you take it because there is a risk that it can stop your heart when you first start the medication. And I know getting off of it requires close monitoring too. Don't get on it unless you must, is my advice. I had no choice. I was in the hospital after my surgeries with a 160 bpm pulse and he had to give me the strong stuff. But at least it has no psychological side-effects for me.
Good luck!
Simcha
poster:simcha
thread:809406
URL: http://www.dr-bob.org/babble/20080124/msgs/810738.html