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Diagnosed Peripheral Neuropathy. On Atenolol. History Of Taking Enalapril And Amlopine. Weaning Off Atenolol Advised?
Hi,i have been prescribed blood pressure pills for apprx 20yrs,(enalapril & amlopine) with no problems,until i broke an ankle 9yrs ago and was prescribed atenolol before the operation to lower my heart rate,i have continued to be prescribed atenolol since .I have suffered with what has been diagnosed as peripheral neuropathy for about 6 yrs now,and have tried b12 vitamins ,folic acid,etc. I have now just discovered a link between the atenolol and my condition PN .I am still taking the enalapril & amlopine,but would it be safe to wean myself off the atenolol or is there an alternative . thankyou
Tue, 11 Jun 2013
Hi and thanks for the query,
Antihypertensive therapy is special for the fact that the drugs are not to be changed any how. Before prescribing these drugs, considerations are made to the specific cormobidities that you might have (race, diabetes, age, etc). Changing the drugs without the consent of your physician is not advisable. When drugs are prescribed, particular blood pressure targets are required to be sure to reduce long term complications.
It is thus not like treatment of pain when we could change the dosage the moment we feel better. Hypertension is a chronic disease, and its not because one feels better or blood pressure becomes normal that we got to stop treatment.
Its true that with a normalized blood pressure for sometime, the physician might decide to reduce the dosage of drugs, or retrieve given drugs. but this is a carefully planned and managed procedure that deserves a lot of care and attention.
I strongly suggest you consent with your physician before making any changes in the drugs you take.
Thanks and hope this helps,
Best regards,
Bain LE, MD.
Antihypertensive therapy is special for the fact that the drugs are not to be changed any how. Before prescribing these drugs, considerations are made to the specific cormobidities that you might have (race, diabetes, age, etc). Changing the drugs without the consent of your physician is not advisable. When drugs are prescribed, particular blood pressure targets are required to be sure to reduce long term complications.
It is thus not like treatment of pain when we could change the dosage the moment we feel better. Hypertension is a chronic disease, and its not because one feels better or blood pressure becomes normal that we got to stop treatment.
Its true that with a normalized blood pressure for sometime, the physician might decide to reduce the dosage of drugs, or retrieve given drugs. but this is a carefully planned and managed procedure that deserves a lot of care and attention.
I strongly suggest you consent with your physician before making any changes in the drugs you take.
Thanks and hope this helps,
Best regards,
Bain LE, MD.
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Hello,
You were taking tab Enalapril + tab Amlodipine for your BP for 20 years.
You had an injury in the ankle 9 years back, for which pre and post operatively you were prescribed tab Atenolol to reduce the heart rate. Since then you have taken Tab atenolol also. You developed peripheral neuritis for the last 6 years and you think tab Atenolol may be the cause.
You are right tab Atenolol's side effect is peripheral Neuritis. It is better to stop it now.
Nowadays because of its side effect and its mode of action Atenolol is not currently recommended as a prime medication for BP except for certain conditions. After consulting with your physician by adjusting the dosages of the other two drugs tab Enalapril + tab Amlodipine (as you were taking prior to the surgery) + with the control of diet you can bring your BP and pulse rate to normal level. No question of weaning. Just like that you can stop it forever. Persist in the treatment of peripheral neuritis.
I'm wishing you all the best
You were taking tab Enalapril + tab Amlodipine for your BP for 20 years.
You had an injury in the ankle 9 years back, for which pre and post operatively you were prescribed tab Atenolol to reduce the heart rate. Since then you have taken Tab atenolol also. You developed peripheral neuritis for the last 6 years and you think tab Atenolol may be the cause.
You are right tab Atenolol's side effect is peripheral Neuritis. It is better to stop it now.
Nowadays because of its side effect and its mode of action Atenolol is not currently recommended as a prime medication for BP except for certain conditions. After consulting with your physician by adjusting the dosages of the other two drugs tab Enalapril + tab Amlodipine (as you were taking prior to the surgery) + with the control of diet you can bring your BP and pulse rate to normal level. No question of weaning. Just like that you can stop it forever. Persist in the treatment of peripheral neuritis.
I'm wishing you all the best
I find this answer helpful
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