Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
Is Depression A Side Effect Of Metoprolol?
Question: I had a mlid heart attack and stent placed and was prescribed Metoprolol 25m,g 2 times a day and Brlrianta 90 mg 2 times a day and Lipitor 80mg. This was two weeks ago. I have become more and more depressed to the point that I have considered suicide. I researched the side affects Metoprolol and found that it it can cause or increase depression.. I've called my doctor, no return call. How long after stopping this medication will the depressive symptoms start to abate? I have never had high blood pressure, so I guess this was prescribed to decrease load on heart. I am getting desperate. Is there another beta blocker less likely to have this side effect? is it really that dangerous to just stop taking it? My glucose numbers have also gone way up.
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Good day.
Noted your concerns.
Betablockers reduce the heart rate and workload on heart. Hence it is extremly useful for up to 6 months follwing a heart attack. Depression is one of the side efects, but rather rare. It can worsen the blood glucose levels as well. However, it takes time to cause depression and in your case, it seems too early to have caused it. I am afraid to say that your case of depression would have been caused by heart attack it self. It is far more common than the drug induced depresion. It is dangerous to stop Metoprolol at this stage. However, there are better and newer betablockers like Bisoprolol and CArvedilol. You may discusss with your doctor about them.
Regards
Binu
Hello
Detailed Answer:
Good day.
Noted your concerns.
Betablockers reduce the heart rate and workload on heart. Hence it is extremly useful for up to 6 months follwing a heart attack. Depression is one of the side efects, but rather rare. It can worsen the blood glucose levels as well. However, it takes time to cause depression and in your case, it seems too early to have caused it. I am afraid to say that your case of depression would have been caused by heart attack it self. It is far more common than the drug induced depresion. It is dangerous to stop Metoprolol at this stage. However, there are better and newer betablockers like Bisoprolol and CArvedilol. You may discusss with your doctor about them.
Regards
Binu
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
actually your answer is too generic and unhelpful. . Are you a doctor familiar with beta blockers and side effects? After researching the medication, it is not too soon to feel this depression. Your answer is basically of no help to me as I need to know if stopping the medication would cause a life threatening event. Maybe the heart attack would cause more depression, but this devastating, suicidal depression I feel is overwhelming. The lack of energy and sleep disturbances is unbearable. Don't tell me to go to an emergency room. That is something I cannot do. Anyway, what would be the point if I got the same opinion? It is always questionable what kind of information you can get on the internet, but your answer is dispassionate and unhelpful.
Pease answer my question about suddenly discontinueing the medication. I woud suppose if in your opinion it could not affect my mental XXXXXXX it would not be a problem to discontinue it.
Pease answer my question about suddenly discontinueing the medication. I woud suppose if in your opinion it could not affect my mental XXXXXXX it would not be a problem to discontinue it.
Brief Answer:
Hello
Detailed Answer:
To answer your question, stopping beta blockers suddenly is dangerous especially after a recent heart attack. I am sorry to hear about your heart attack and the depression follwing it. Depression following a major health event like heart attack does improve over time.
I do agree that beta blockers can cause depresion. Many otther cardiac drugs can cause depression. But, I must say that, if you have depression with suicidal thoughts, it is importnat to seek medical help. Please do not neglect.
Yes, i do use beta blockers a lot. Before becoming an endocrinologist, i was an internist and treated heart attacks and strokes. Beta blockers are extremely important follwing a heart attack. It saves lives.
It can worsen depression, but i have never seen anyone with profound depression with suicidal thoughts as a side effect of beta blocker. Please do not stop Metoprolol with out discussing with your doctor. As i mentioned earlier, there are better and newer beta blockers available now a days with lesser side effects.
I am sorry that my initial response was brief and quick and didnt meet your expectations. But this was a non specialist question and the answer is supposed to be brief.
Hello
Detailed Answer:
To answer your question, stopping beta blockers suddenly is dangerous especially after a recent heart attack. I am sorry to hear about your heart attack and the depression follwing it. Depression following a major health event like heart attack does improve over time.
I do agree that beta blockers can cause depresion. Many otther cardiac drugs can cause depression. But, I must say that, if you have depression with suicidal thoughts, it is importnat to seek medical help. Please do not neglect.
Yes, i do use beta blockers a lot. Before becoming an endocrinologist, i was an internist and treated heart attacks and strokes. Beta blockers are extremely important follwing a heart attack. It saves lives.
It can worsen depression, but i have never seen anyone with profound depression with suicidal thoughts as a side effect of beta blocker. Please do not stop Metoprolol with out discussing with your doctor. As i mentioned earlier, there are better and newer beta blockers available now a days with lesser side effects.
I am sorry that my initial response was brief and quick and didnt meet your expectations. But this was a non specialist question and the answer is supposed to be brief.
Note: For further queries related to coronary artery disease and prevention, click here.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
