What Causes Severe Dizziness Even When Lying Down While On Atenolol?

Posted on Wed, 2 Mar 2016

Question: After taking atenolol 50 mg for about 3months I have developed severe dizziness even lying down. I have an appointment to see my doctor next Wednesday. Should I stop or modify the dosage?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (21 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Heart rate

Detailed Answer:
Hello and welcome to HCM. Thank you for your question. I understand your concern.

Well, atenolol can lower the heart rate. Even though, in my opinion, it is the best beta-blocker to fight hypertension, since it lowers the high blood pressure and also decreases the heart workload, it sometimes may lower the heart rate below 50 heart beats per minute.

Therefore, if you are experiencing dizziness, blurry vision, dark vision or fainting or near-fainting sensation, you should discontinue it.

But, if atenolol was perscribed for blood pressure-lowering aim, you should discuss with your cardiologist about the possibility to start another beta-blocker, that does not have an impact on your heart rate (nebivolol, carvedilol).

I hope I was helpful with my answet. I am happy to help, if you have follow-up questions. Please rate my answer if you do not.

Best regards,
Dr. Meriton

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (28 minutes later)

I am seeing my doctor next Wednesday. What do i do until then? Do i stop or modify the dosage?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Meriton Siqeca (38 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Hello again

Detailed Answer:
Welcome back!

I would recommend you to withhold taking atenolol, because it may be causing your symptoms. Then, you can discuss with your cardiologist about the alternatives I provided in the original answer.

I hope I was of help. Let me know if you have any further questions .

Kind regards,
Dr. Meriton

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Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee