Atenolol for Anxiety User Reviews (Page 2)

• Soo...
• June 14, 2010

"I have been taking Atenolol (50mg) for a month or so now. There was an immediate drop in blood pressure and my anxiety has lessened so that I need my Xanax much less often. One thing I have noticed is that I wake up a few times a night with pain in whatever shoulder I have been sleeping on. It feels like joint pain and lasts for about an hour after awakening. Otherwise it does not affect my sleep. Another side effect is that, an hour after taking it, I yawn and my eyes water. Also, the first two weeks I took it I had diarrhea when previous to that I was constipated, but that has subsided."

• Sam...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• July 9, 2019

"So this has worked pretty well for me! I started on 25 mg once a day for high blood pressure, high heart rate, and anxiety. So far it’s been doing its job, my heart doesn’t feel like it’s going to burst out of my chest, and I am not 24/7 anxious anymore. While I’m taking it, I don’t really realize the difference, I just feel a little calmer. Though when I forget a dose, that’s when I freak out a little bit and realize it. I’ve only really had dizziness as a side effect, sometimes I’ll also be more tired than usual, though it’s nothing dramatic. Just be cautious if you have low blood sugar, my doc said I’d be fine as long as I keep an eye on myself, though it really sneaks up on you while you’re taking atenolol. I don’t realize that my blood sugar is getting too low sometimes because I don’t get as shaky or anxious since I’m on this, so that’s something to watch out for. Other than that, it’s been good to me, though! It’s really affordable as well!"

• AEO...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• December 20, 2021

"I've been on atenolol for 12 years, first 100 mg a day, and the last 4 years 50 mg a day. It fixed me up real good. Ever see the movie Limitless? Well, that's what atenolol has been for me. All symptoms gone from day one. As far as long-term negative effects, I haven't had any. This is an amazing pill."

• Joe...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 23, 2021

"Took atenolol for only a couple of weeks for anxiety, maybe 2 or 3 times a week. It definitely calmed me down, but after a couple of weeks, I noticed I was really depressed, especially when I took the atenolol. To the point where suicidal thoughts were swimming around in my head, and I felt hopeless 24/7. Turns out beta blockers like atenolol actually affect your brain too, and this can lead to depression. If you decide you want to take this drug for anxiety, it should only be used in emergency situations, this is a serious drug."

• Fli...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 17, 2017

"Let me start off by saying that I've done my research on Atenolol-it doesn't have the greatest track record, and there's a lot of evidence coming out saying that it doesn't actually protect your heart or arteries from damage. But Atenolol is the only thing that has worked to control my heart. I used to have high BP (160/100) and tachycardia at times, but as soon as I started taking Atenolol, it was like I was normal again. And I can definitely tell a difference when I stop taking it. I get a little shortness of breath very infrequently, and my pulse is sometimes under 60 bpm, but it's the one drug that has worked for years. I wish I could find something better/more effective, but I haven't yet. Tried Losartan, Valsartan, and a few others."

• Ano...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 8, 2025

"Taking this along with buspirone because I had panic attacks all day and night along with anxiety... unable to eat, sleep, or function. I was very hesitant because it is a heart medicine, but I'm glad my doc talked me into it. I wouldn't be living a normal life without it. I hadn't noticed any side effects... I don't think many people do. And buspirone helps as well. If you're suffering, give it a try."

• jax...
• June 21, 2009

Atenolol "This was prescribed for hypertension, and so far as I can tell, I have had no problems with it. I cannot say whether it helps with anxiety, although my doctor said to take one when I felt as though my heart was racing. It seemed to help, but I do not know whether it was because of the Tenormin or the placebo effect."

• Chr...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• November 15, 2022

"Treatment-resistant patient here. I've been taking 75 mg daily for anxiety (severe heart palpitations) and an atrial fibrillation. Recently increased to 100 mg (which is the highest), but this does a better job than any SSRI/SNRI with no side effects. I also take clonazepam 1-1.25 mg daily along with an antipsychotic. The bad news is psychiatrists and NP's/GP's who practice don't recognize this drug and instead prescribe the inferior propranolol, so you'll (more than likely) have to get it from your primary care doctor. The good news is even without insurance, the cost is very low and the side effect profile is almost non-existent."

• t-d...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 23, 2018

"Atenolol has worked great, but found I had to take it on an empty stomach, or else it wasn't as effective. When I had to go off of it due to the supply disruption, Metoprolol was not working the same, and the anxiety was brutal, coupled with the fact my doc was on vacation, and I had to deal with a nurse who was just trying to stall me and my symptoms."

• dix...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 23, 2016

"Was prescribed this for tremor (due to seizure Rx). Had been on primidone, which worked well. Atenolol caused dizziness, extreme vertigo, anxiety, suicidal thoughts, chest pains, tightness when trying to breathe. I fainted. MD told me to go off it. After fainting, called pharmacist. He said, 'Get to the ER' and 'Why are you on a beta blocker?' I didn't know atenolol was a beta blocker. Not supposed to take those due to having asthma. In ER, my BP was 188/88. Usually is around 123/63. Took 4 hours, IV etc., to get BP down to 158/78. They released me but said to tell MD never to put me on betas again."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 22, 2022

"Healthy 21 y/o male with GAD & PTSD from the UK. This medication actually really works for anxiety and should be prescribed more often! SSRIs can help with the mental side of anxiety, but this works for the physical side of anxiety as good as benzos, with less problems. If your anxiety is triggered, you may feel the electric zap sensation running down your spine, but after that, NOTHING! It stops the cycle of anxiety in its tracks because your body stays chill, so then your mind does too, and you can move on. Can be unpleasant the first time you take it, with dizziness and a slow heartbeat (and that was only with 1/2 a pill - 12.5mg). Unfortunately, I had to stop this medication because it made me VERY breathless, which is only a side effect in asthmatics, so I am going to see my doctor about this because it shouldn’t happen in healthy people taking atenolol (I also can’t breathe as well with benzos). Would still recommend regardless (for non-asthmatics). Good luck everyone!"

• mis...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• October 31, 2013

"Awful drug, so dizzy all the time, can't walk or shower. Has made my anxiety and panic attacks worse. Agoraphobia is coming back now. Sick gut all the time. Put on it in ER for afib. Wish to God I'd never been put on this evil drug. Xanax no longer work on these either. Beware."

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• August 17, 2016

"Was ok for many months, then terrible, debilitating nausea. Given nausea was a symptom of my anxiety and gastroparesis, I thought my symptoms were coming back. TERRIBLE experience. Keep in mind, people, side effects can crop up at any time, not necessarily at the beginning of treatment."

• Ron...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2022

"I started taking this due to a racing heart and panic attacks that develop when I am in a crowded place and wearing a mask for coronavirus protection. It works very well and makes my heart rate fall to about 55, and lowers blood pressure about 10 points. I also had high blood pressure, and this is a double benefit. I tried diuretics and ARB for blood pressure, but both had rather severe side effects for me. The only negative side effect I have with atenolol is very weird and vivid dreams if I take it at night, so I only take it in the morning or afternoon. Also, I weight lift and jog, and this drug does not interfere at all, whereas diuretics and ARB made me feel lightheaded and dizzy to the extent I worried I might injure myself while exercising. I am very satisfied."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• February 22, 2019

"I'm on atenolol (50 mg in the morning, 25 mg at night) for a heart condition (SVT). I only recently learned it was also an anxiety medication, which I also deal with, but I still experience a lot of symptoms (enough to have to talk to someone about). However, I do notice a higher heart rate in social situations if I miss a dose. Taking for 3 years, not this dosage though."

• Bru...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• May 29, 2023

"It would be VERY helpful if folks would write the dosage they take in all the posts. I take 1/2 of 12.5 mg for anxiety and it seems to work well. I take it 1-2 times a day. One benzoyl too. Be careful. Sometimes it might cause a little increase in depression. Take Paroxetine ER."

• AMV...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• January 13, 2022

"I have been taking 12.5 mg since 2007 after I suffered health anxiety after recording high blood pressure. I actually fear having my BP taken, and my heart rate increases even when I take it myself (but it is never as bad as at the doctor's!). In 2019, I had a palpitation attack and the same in 2021. I was fully checked and no issues, but the doctor said to continue taking it as it would help with stress/palpitations in any case. My blood pressure without it has always been less than 140/90, and with it less than 130/80. I generally take it in the morning, and the only side effect I do not like is that even at the low dose, my HR can sit at 50 bpm or so, and I sometimes get a tiny bit lightheaded if standing up quickly. If I do not take it for a bit, my HR is generally late 50s - 60 bpm. I am not super fit, but I do walk a lot. I'd rather not take it, but I worry that stopping would cause other issues, so I tolerate it."

• epi...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 13, 2015

"I am diagnosed with PTSD - two usual traits that come with PTSD are depression and anxiety. Due to the antidepressant I'm taking (Zoloft 50 mg), I experienced a slight but uncomfortable rise in blood pressure, which contributed to my anxiety. I saw my general doctor and qualified for atenolol 25 mg. It has worked miraculously with no side effects. What I like about atenolol is that it is not digested by the same liver enzymes that digest Zoloft - so there is no risk of atenolol levels competing with Zoloft for bonding sites. I feel a lot calmer and don't experience as much agitation and irritability as I used to. Performers overcoming stage fright is part of the challenge. Stop cheating."

• Ano...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• October 30, 2012

Atenolol "I was prescribed this medicine for irregular heartbeat, but also noticed that it greatly affects my anxiety too. I would highly recommend it."

• val...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 31, 2013

"Work great for anxiety and stage fright. No side effects."

• Nzy...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• October 18, 2019

"Atenolol has a great calming effect overall on my anxiety. Could also exercise more. No more anxiety, rapid heart rate, nervousness. Better sleep/rest quality."

• Anonymous
• June 14, 2008

"Very good for stage fright or fear of flying because it does not impair functioning, many people don't 'notice' it at all, but are noticeably calmer."

• Jwr...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 25, 2017

"Works very well for physical symptoms of anxiety. Heart palpitations are under control, and blood pressure and heart rate are now excellent. I only need 12.5-25 mg once a day. Great medication."

• Jes...
• June 18, 2016

"This drug helped eliminate my panic attacks and also keeps me calm throughout the day. I haven't had tachycardia in a while. Currently taking 12.5 mg. I definitely recommend atenolol for anxiety."

• Ayo...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 12, 2015

"I use atenolol for my hyperthyroid tremors, rapid heart rate, and it works wonders. It's hard to find a pill that works for so many things."