How to Come Off Beta Blockers?-(The Right Way)

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Beta-blockers are a very beneficial medication for people suffering from various heart conditions. Completely coming off beta-blockers could mean gradually lowering your dosage intake for weeks or months. There’s no shortcut, as going “cold turkey” could put you in harm’s way and cause you several withdrawal symptoms that could be fatal. But, if you learn to be patient and seek proper guidance from your trusted healthcare provider, you will successfully come off beta-blockers and live normally again.

Because of their tremendous beneficial effects, beta-blockers may be used to help you feel better or prevent your current condition from getting severe, prolonging your lifespan.

So, you wonder if you can stop taking beta-blockers and live normally again. First, ask yourself why you’re deciding to stop.

If, for example, a beta-blocker is used to help alleviate symptoms of high blood pressure, then there’s a high chance that you can stop taking it and still live normally.

But, if it’s used to prevent severe health conditions like the worsening of heart failure, then you might just want to rethink completely coming off of it.

What are beta-blockers?

Beta-blockers, also known as beta-adrenergic “blockers” or “blocking agents,” are commonly used to treat various cardiovascular diseases and some brain issues.

There are two main categories of beta-blockers which are:

  • Cardioselective beta-blockers. These types primarily block beta-1 (B1) receptors in the heart.
  • Non-selective beta-blockers. Both block beta-1 (B1) and beta-2 (B2) receptors in the heart and the smooth muscle tissues found in the respiratory system, blood vessels, and nervous system.

Beta-blockers are often used as “off-label” if originally prescribed drugs don’t effectively treat the condition or show many side effects.

For instance, if you suffer from high blood pressure, your doctor won’t usually prescribe beta-blockers as your first course of treatment, these will be given to you when they find out that your current medication doesn’t suit you.

There are many options to take beta-blockers which your doctor may recommend. It’s very important to take this medication on time and at the same time every day as per your doctor’s advice.

How do beta-blockers work?

Your brain produces chemicals called neurotransmitters that attach to receptors found in your cells, activating different important bodily processes.

Adrenergic receptors or adrenoreceptors are found throughout your body. These receptors allow neurotransmitters adrenaline (epinephrine) and noradrenaline (norepinephrine) to bind.

Adrenergic receptors are classified into two categories: alpha and beta-adrenergic receptors. Below are the three main types of beta-adrenergic receptors found in specific areas of your body:

  • Beta-1. Found commonly in your heart and kidneys.
  • Beta-2. Located in the smooth muscle tissues of your lungs, blood vessels, and nervous system.
  • Beta-3. Found in your fatty cells and bladder.

Adrenaline and noradrenaline are both neurotransmitters and hormones that play an important role in your body’s “fight-or-flight” response in times of danger and perceived threat.

These two can cause your heart to contract harder and pump more blood, make your breathing faster and deeper, increase blood flow in your muscles, and enhance your glucose production for more energy.

Beta-blockers act as a blocking agent that prevents adrenaline and noradrenaline from binding to the beta-receptors. As an effect, these allow your heart to relax, lowering your blood pressure and improving your blood flow.

Side effects of beta-blockers

Beta-blockers may cause various side effects because they affect the body, specifically the heart. That’s why your doctor will carefully prescribe a certain type of this drug to avoid severe side effects according to your needs.

A woman is laying down with her eyes closed after feeling her blood pressure go down, a side effect of her beta blockers medicine

While others don’t feel the side effects, you might go through a lot of potential side effects, such as:

  • Slow heart rate or irregular heartbeat
  • Low blood pressure
  • Cold feet and hands
  • Fatigue
  • Nausea and vomiting
  • Weakness and dizziness
  • Abdominal pain
  • Constipation
  • Sleeping difficulties and disturbances
  • Erectile dysfunction and decreased libido
  • Memory loss
  • Confusion
  • Fluid retention

Look out and note the side effects you may experience, even those not on the list.

Consult your doctor right away if you notice severe side effects that interrupt your daily life.

Warnings for beta-blockers

Beta-blockers can be a cause of concern that’s why you must work closely with your doctor upon your scheduled medical check-up.

Tell them about your medical history and your current medications as well as the vitamins and herbal and food supplements that you are taking.

You must always follow your doctor’s advice in taking beta-blockers as it can affect your condition. Not everyone is suitable for taking beta-blockers.

Recall if you have a history of the following:

  • Asthma, especially moderate to severe
  • Arrhythmia
  • Severe peripheral artery disease, including Raynaud’s disease
  • A slow heart rate
  • Low blood pressure
  • Low blood sugar or type 1 diabetes

If you have type 1 diabetes, you must be careful when taking this medicine as it can hide the warning signs of low blood sugar.

When taking this medicine, you’ll constantly need to check your blood sugar levels to prevent them from dropping too low.

Beta-blockers can potentially increase your risk of an asthma attack or aggravate its symptoms. Your doctor may avoid prescribing you beta-blockers if you suffer from moderate to severe asthma.

If you have chronic lung diseases, such as bronchitis or emphysema, your doctor may prescribe a certain type of beta-blocker.

However, if you start having breathing problems, please call your doctor immediately.

Do beta-blockers interact with other drugs?

Beta-blockers can interact with other drugs. So, make sure to let your doctor know about all the medications you’re currently taking, along with the vitamins and food and herbal supplements.

If there is a certain interaction risk, your doctor may not prescribe this medicine or lower the recommended dosage.

Below are the following drugs that beta-blockers may interact with:

  • Antiarrhythmics for managing irregular heartbeats
  • Antihypertensives for lowering blood pressure
  • Antipsychotics for treating severe mental health problems 
  • Clonidine for treating high blood pressure and migraine
  • Mefloquine to treat or prevent malaria
  • Alpha-blockers
  • Anti-depressants
  • Certain allergy medications

Ask your doctor if the medications you’re taking can interact with beta-blockers, as some medicines might not be specified on the list.

What happens when you stop taking beta-blockers?

While beta-blockers are generally safe to take for long periods as per doctor’s prescription, you should never abruptly stop taking them.

Get your doctor’s approval before starting to stop taking beta-blockers.

As you take beta-blockers regularly, your body will get used to its effects, and you may experience various withdrawal symptoms, especially if you suddenly stop.

Below are the following withdrawal symptoms that you may experience:

  • Sudden heart attack, angina, and even death in part of the heart muscle.
  • A significant rise in your blood pressure (rebound hypertension).
  • Heart palpitations, tremors, and sweating.
  • Increased risk of sudden cardiac arrest.
  • Anxiety.

If you were prescribed a beta blocker to treat your hypothyroidism or if you develop hypothyroidism while taking beta blockers, you could be at risk of a thyroid storm if you suddenly stop. It’s a life-threatening condition that can increase your heart rate, blood pressure, and body temperature to an abnormally high level. 

Different types of beta-blockers might give you different withdrawal symptoms depending on the dosage, how long you have been taking it, and your metabolic rate. There could be other factors as well.

If you believe a beta-blocker is not right for you, it’s best to consult your doctor and explain your issues.

They could lower the dosage or change the medication, and if there’s a need to stop the current medicines, they will let you know how to do that safely. 

Other issues when taking beta-blockers

Beta-blockers such as atenolol and metoprolol may cause weight gain. Fluid retention accompanied by weight gain could signify heart failure or that your condition is getting worse.

You might also notice that your heart rate stays low even when it shouldn’t. For example, when exercising, your heart rate should rise, but it might not do so when you’re taking a beta-blocker.

If you suddenly stopped taking it before, which you shouldn’t do in the first place, it can become more difficult to start again.

When you just started taking this medicine, your body may have to adjust tremendously to this medication. But if you restart because you suddenly stopped taking it, it will become more difficult to determine the correct dosage and adjust to it.

How to stop taking beta-blockers?

Don’t stop cold turkey!

Please talk to your doctor if you want to stop taking beta-blockers. They will guide you on how to properly stop and avoid dangerous effects.

Below are some ways your doctor may advise you to follow:

1. Start taking low dosages

Your doctor will plan out a schedule for lowering the dosages (gradual tapering approach) of beta-blockers for over a couple of weeks or months.

This approach will allow your body to adjust to the low dosages and prevent it from getting shocked, thus minimizing withdrawal symptoms.

2. Take note of your symptoms

When using the gradual tapering approach, you should monitor your body’s changes and pay attention to new symptoms.

If you experience severe symptoms that mimic beta-blocker withdrawal symptoms, please see your doctor immediately.

3. Practice a healthy lifestyle

Start living healthily and actively, which will improve your overall well-being.

Look for or ask your doctor about what diet you should follow to slowly disable your body to rely on beta-blockers.

Start by eating a balanced diet, prioritizing exercising, practicing stress management techniques, avoiding smoking, and stopping drinking alcohol excessively.

4. Be patient and ask for support

If you’re struggling during your gradual tapering journey, especially when you’re experiencing new symptoms, please seek support from your healthcare provider, family, and friends.

It will not be easy and will test your patience as your body tries to adjust from coming off beta blockers.

But, when you seek proper guidance and support, you will eventually get through the tough times and successfully come off them completely and feel normal again.

FAQs

Is long-term use of beta-blockers harmful?

You can take beta-blockers a your maintenance for life. However, in some individuals, it can potentially have harmful effects if taken for long.

Please seek guidance from your doctor about this.

Below are some potential harmful effects of long-term use of beta-blockers:

-Disorientation, -Short-term memory loss
-Emotional lability
-Inability to think or concentrate correctly
-Decreased performance on neuropsychological tests used to measure psychological function. 

What should you avoid when taking beta-blockers?

It would help to avoid drinking beverages containing caffeine or over-the-counter medicines, antihistamines, and antacids containing aluminum.

You should also avoid alcohol, for it can negatively impact your body and reverse the effects of the medicine.

References

  • https://my.clevelandclinic.org/health/treatments/22318-beta-blockers
  • https://www.healthline.com/health/heart-disease/beta-blockers
  • https://www.medicalnewstoday.com/articles/173068
  • https://drsanjayguptacardiologist.com/blog/how-to-wean-off-beta-blockers/
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/expert-answers/beta-blockers/faq-20058385
  • https://www.mayoclinic.org/diseases-conditions/high-blood-pressure/in-depth/beta-blockers/art-20044522

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Saumya Malik
I'm an ardent follower of everything good for the health and wellness of body and mind. I am passionate about providing effective solutions to general health and mental well-being issues and wants to help people achieve the same. When I'm not writing, you can find me curled up with a good book in a corner or cooking as a form of good mental therapy.

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