Atenelol and Depression

[jerrad]

I am 24 and I have been on Atenelol for HBP for the past 2 years. I have lost weight and my HBP is in control. Six months after first taking this medication I had my fist panic attack. The doctor told me to stay on this medication because it can help panic attacks. The past several months I have been experiencing pretty bad depression. I have lost over 10 pounds because I have no appetite. Can the Atenelol be responsible for some of this? It is the only common factor. I never had any issues with Anxiety or Depression until I started this medication.

[jerrad]

One other quick question....

I was on 50mg of the medication.  3 days ago I reduced the amount to 25mg, but I am still feeling much of the same side effects. My doctor told me to take the 25mg for a total of 5 days and then just stop taking the medication. Would there be any danger in just stopping the medication all together right now? It would only be two days early....

[jerrad]

I went to another doctor and he took me off the Atenolol. I have to say that I do feel better. I read on webmd that anxiety, nervousness, and depression are all side effects of this medication. Is it possible that this med lead to my panic attacks?? I never had one until I started on this med.

Thanks so much!!

[Enoch Choi, MD]

beta blockers are known to cause depression

ask your doctor to prescribe something different for panic attacks, since beta blockers only prevent your heart from racing -- only one of the symptoms and it doesn't treat the underlying chemical imbalance