What Causes Low Libido And Muscle Weakness While On Atenolol, Sumatriptan And Metformin?

Posted on Thu, 17 Aug 2017

Question: I am a 56 years / 85 Kg / 5' 7" / diabetic male leading a sedentary life style since past 20 years taking
1. Atenolol 50 mg once daily since 1995 for palpitation,
2. Sumatriptan 25 mg (since 2005) in case there is attack of migraine
3. Metformin 500 mg bds since 2007 and
4. Alprazolam 0.5 mg once at night daily for peaceful sleep regularly.
My ECG, TMT reports are normal and B.P. and diabetes remain controlled.
My present problems are Loss of libido, loss of muscle mass (but no loss of weight) and overall weakness.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (5 hours later)

Brief Answer:
The cause seems to be atenolol

Detailed Answer:
Hi
Thanks for your query.

Loss of libido, muscle weakness are uncommon side effects of beta-blockers. Atenolol is a betablocker. If its medicine induced, then these symptoms will disappear within 1 month of stopping medicine.

Palpitation is a symptom. If there is no underlying cause found on tests, there is no point in taking atenolol for so long.

Kindly check with your doctor if you can stop atenolol.

Hope it helps. Let me know if I can assist you further.
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (32 minutes later)

Thanks for your kind reply. Whenever I tried to taper off the dose of Atenolol 50 mg gradually and discontinue following Doctor's advice of taking Metoprolol 25 mg in place of it, my palpitaion aggravated.The only way to get relief was to continue Atenolol again. thus it may be said that my body has become addicted to it.
In the light of facts that my Doppler ECO, ECG and TMT reports are normal and I have been using Atenolol for the last 22 years, I would like to know whether further continuance is advisable or its prolonged use will one day adversely affect my Cardiac output/ performance.
Thanking you.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (1 hour later)

Brief Answer:
Medicines are chemicals

Detailed Answer:
Hi again

Medicines are chemicals and these have effect on body.
Atenolol has been vastly studied. Most studies have shown its beneficial effect on failing heart. Yours is a normal heart. Palpitations maybe from another cause.
Atenolol can have cardiovascular adverse effects like low heart rate, peripheral vascular efficiency, postural hypotension, heart failure, AV Block, arrhythmia, angina. These have been listed in medical textbooks.

Palpitations can be tolerated with certain lifestyle measures like deep breathing, relaxation exercises, keeping busy in work, avoiding tea, coffee, alcohol, etc. You can try tapering the dose of atenolol over a few weeks to avoid sudden withdrawal.

Hope it helps.
Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj

Follow up: Dr. Vaishalee Punj (12 minutes later)

Thank you very much for clearing doubt.

Answered by Dr. Vaishalee Punj (9 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Thanks

Detailed Answer:
Thanks for consulting me online.

Dr Vaishalee

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar