Anxiety from Atenolol

[DoItForJohnny]

I took 1 single 25mg tablet of Atenolol last Wednesday and didn't like the way I felt so I immediately stopped taking it. So I only took one pill. Two days after taking it I started having anxiety and my heart was racing. I do have a history of anxiety so I am not sure if this is just a coincidence. Though I have not had anxiety for like 10 years. My wife and son are in Florida for eight days and I'm really stressed about it so that could be causing it also. But I wonder if the one Atenolol could cause some anxiety in my body. did something inside my brain? Do you think it is causing this? A part of me deep down believes this is just my own stress and anxiety from my wife and son being so far away.

[Jerry_NJ]

Atenolol is a "selective" beta blocker and little to none of it should affect the brain (such as nightmares which are associated with some beta blockers).

Beta blockers main influence on the heart is to lower heart rate not increase it.  It also lowers blood pressure and these can result in fatigue as an unwanted side-effect.

Anxiety, I thing not.

Look forward to your family returning home.  Sure that will be a big help.

[MichelleP_3811]

I would not think 1 pill would have that profound an affect on you.  I suspect them being away has thrown your energy off and put you in a bit of fear but just for clarification what you are feeling?  Anything in particular like your heart jumping around or if it is fast how fast?  Any other symptoms beyond just feeling anxious?

[DoItForJohnny]

By the way the anxiety is been going on for about 5 days

[a_fibphil]

I too started having anxiety after taking and stopping Atenolol. I kept taking it every other day or so and it seemed to keep my anxiety going. Its been six days since I had an Atenolol. My heart is beating fast, i am getting palpitations and my anxiety seems to have left. I had anxiety about 5 or 6 years ago and I think I was getting off Toprol another beta blocker then. I read that atenolol may cause type 2 diabetes. I like that it prevents my heart from skipping when exercising, but I don't want diabetes. Did your anxiety go away?