Atenolol and Dizziness: What Users Say

• Mik...
• December 28, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I went through a very stressful time in my life three years ago. My blood pressure was 200/100. My doctor prescribed atenolol, chlorthalidone 50-25, losartan potassium, amlodipine besylate, and Klor-Con 20. My blood pressure and blood work were normal. A year later, the doctor said I had high cholesterol and stage 3 kidney disease. I also lost my sex drive, experienced depression, dizziness, leg and foot pain, charley horses mostly while sleeping, and water retention in my ankles and feet. Two years later, I went into cardiac arrest, which was caused by low blood pressure. Imaging found no heart problems. The doctor took me off everything but the atenolol, chlorthalidone, and Klor-Con. My blood pressure is okay, but now I have extreme pain in my lower left leg and foot that seems to move. My toes feel like they are asleep. I can barely walk. My potassium level is okay. I'm buying a pill splitter and going to wean off the atenolol, which I know is causing my problems."

• Kay...
• December 18, 2016

For Anxiety "I started taking atenolol (25 mg) right after Thanksgiving for heart palpitations. When I saw the doctor, he said I had sinus tachycardia, but I also have severe panic disorder. I can tell a big difference. I will have a palpitation every now and then, but my resting heart rate is down. I haven't noticed that my anxiety is down, so I still take my .25 Xanax when I need it. I also haven't noticed any side effects other than a little dizziness and a little chest tightness. It's kind of been a lifesaver because my palpitations would put me in a panic attack. I would recommend this to anyone that would benefit from it."

• con...
• July 23, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was taking Atenolol for 3 years, 50 mg. I had constant tightness in the chest and never ever felt happy and well. I recently had a trip overseas and finished up in the hospital. My blood pressure was 120/80, but my heartbeat was down to 44. I was so dizzy I could not walk, enough was enough so I went to a doctor in Melbourne, Australia, who advised me to take Nitric Factor and reduce Atenolol to 25 mg. This I did, but I can assure you coming off this drug was a horror story. It took 2 months, and now I take one scoop of the Nitric Factor a day, and my blood pressure is about 126/70 with a pulse of 62. It was my decision to stop taking the 25 mg of Atenolol. I can now sleep and feel I have my life back again. I am 63 years old, and my initial blood pressure was 160/90 with pulse 70."

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

For Anxiety "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!"

• ski...
• July 29, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I very nearly died when taking this drug. I became confused, had difficulty standing up from a chair, felt dizzy and uncoordinated, and worst of all, at night, when I could hear my heartbeat, I noted that my heart stopped for about 6 beats before jump-starting again. I told my kidney specialist about the symptoms, and he gave me an IQ test as he thought I had Alzheimer's! I was very confused, but I managed a high score on the test. He still did not link my symptoms to atenolol, but one day at the dialysis center my heart rate was so low I had to be rushed by ambulance into Resus at the hospital. Adrenaline was injected as by that time my heart rate was only 7 beats a minute. I was taken immediately into theater where a pacemaker was inserted."

• ski...
• July 29, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I very nearly died when taking this drug. I became confused, had difficulty standing up from a chair, felt dizzy and uncoordinated, and worst of all, at night, when I could hear my heartbeat, I noted that my heart stopped for about 6 beats before jump-starting again. I told my kidney specialist about the symptoms, and he gave me an IQ test as he thought I had Alzheimer's! I was very confused, but I managed a high score on the test. He still did not link my symptoms to atenolol, but one day at the dialysis center my heart rate was so low I had to be rushed by ambulance into Resus at the hospital. Adrenaline was injected as by that time my heart rate was only 7 beats a minute. I was taken immediately into theater where a pacemaker was inserted."

• Lad...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• August 14, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on Atenolol for the past 3 years, but previously have been on many other types of BP medications that did not work as well. The problem is now I'm experiencing the side effects that others have reported on, such as sensitivity to light, decreased sexual arousal, dizziness occasionally, swollen ankles, and gout. I have pain near my heart, and my legs, hands, or feet 'fall asleep' all the time. In regards to lowering my pressure, it does the job. But the side effects are starting to get to me, and the longer I take this, it may get worse. So I'm talking to my doctor to wean me off this stuff."

• Rat...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 22, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking Atenolol 50 mg since 1996. I had no idea that I had stage 3 hypertension. Atenolol, from what I have been reading today, I have had side effects mentioned here: gout, water retention, chills, and feeling very dizzy, almost passing out. It took a month or so for it to all settle down. It's probably been two years total after I started on Atenolol for the gout pain to go away, seemingly. Keep your doctor and pharmacist in the loop about your reactions, good or bad. I haven't paid attention to my blood pressure other than taking my Atenolol. Oops. I was just at my dentist, and my blood pressure was insane: 217/118. Obviously, I'm going to have to toddle over to the emergency room. That rate is about where it was in the beginning. I gave the drug a high mark here. It has worked very well. I've nosed around, and there seems to be a pattern with Atenolol and men over 60 with HPB that appears to imply that Atenolol loses effectiveness. So boys, keep track of your numbers."

• Jak...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• March 6, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I'm 49, 6'2", 185 lbs. and have been on Atenolol for about 10 years. I have a bicuspid aortic valve, which has been stable over the years. The drug keeps my BP a consistent 112/70. This is the only drug I take for my condition. My cardiologist sold Atenolol to me as 'heart conditioner'. I am fairly active; I try to run a 5k every day (road or treadmill), lift weights several times a week, and mountain bike whenever I can get it in. I do experience some common side effects, such as occasional dizziness, 10 lbs. extra weight (in spite of my exercise) that I cannot lose, and insomnia. I never liked taking Atenolol, but I am starting to wonder about the long-term side effects."

• Vic...
• December 11, 2020

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have been taking atenolol for about a year now (for SVT) and am very sensitive to medicines (as is 10% of the population). I was prescribed 25 mg once a day, and it made me feel really dizzy and almost a bit tipsy. I also had pain in my toes (probably a lack of circulation from a slower heart rate). Even a 12.5 mg dose made me feel that way, so I have found that 1/4 of a tablet, 6.25 mg once a day, works well for me (the tablets aren’t time release or coated, so they can be cut, even though it’s a bit hard to get precise even cuts. Doctors won’t tell you this, and mine was a bit perturbed that I lowered my dose, but I know my own body better than they do and prefer to take the lowest dose that works best for me...less side effects that way too). If I miss more than a day, I notice my tachycardia coming back. This medication controls that well. The only downside is that it seems to make me tired and gives me brain fog-I am very forgetful on this medicine. This medication is also very affordable."

• Gig...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• July 5, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking Atenolol 25 mg for about 5 years or more. I have a family history of high blood pressure. It has been working fine for me all these years, it has lowered my BP. The last few months or so, my anxiety has been crazy, I’m dizzy, nauseous, loss of appetite, I just feel horrible. It’s weird, though, I will wake up feeling good, and maybe the whole day I will be fine. Then, some days I wake up feeling good, and then out of nowhere, I will feel sick, nauseous and dizzy, and tingly all over out of nowhere. I feel so bad, all I want to do is lay down, then it causes my anxiety to kick in. I am so frustrated, I am tired of not feeling sick so often. The doctors say it’s vertigo… It’s not vertigo!! I’m so tired of feeling sick all the time."

• Geo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• March 15, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I'm on 150 mg atenolol, I take 100 mg in the morning and 50 mg at night. Side effects are leg water retention, breathlessness on exertion due to too slow heart rate, breathlessness when sleeping due to an even slower heart rate, this in addition to dizziness. I should mention I suffer from type 2 diabetes, insulin/diet controlled, so there may be an insulin/atenolol conflict there, and polyneuropathy to the extent I can no longer walk, as my legs no longer respond to instructions from my brain."

• GNI...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• June 21, 2019

For Migraine Prevention "I had migraines from the age of 40 to 56 - two or three every month. An ergotamine med usually worked. When I was 56, the ergotamine didn't work, and I went to the ER. My blood pressure was unusually high. I was put on a daily dose of 150 mg of atenolol. That was 16 years ago. I have had no migraines and no headaches of any kind in 16 years. My heart rate is very low - 40s - 50s - but my doctor says it's no problem unless I feel really dizzy or faint."

• dix...
• August 17, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "The neurologist put me on primidone to stop tremors (caused by seizures medication). Was working great. New doctor switched me to atenolol. Chest pains, tightness in chest, hard to breathe, dizzy, fainted, feeling suicidal, could not read. Called doctor. His RN said to go off it immediately. Later, fainted. Called pharmacist. He said, 'Get to ER stat.' My BP is usually 120/63. Was 188/88 when I was first admitted to ER. Spent 4 hours on IV, etc. ER MD told me never to do beta blockers. Had no idea this Rx was a beta blocker!"

• Lan...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 31, 2017

For Supraventricular Tachycardia "I have had inappropriate sinus tachycardia for almost 4 years and have been on atenolol for almost 2 years! I don’t know how I survived before without my atenolol pill! My heart rate used to get up to 180-190 every day, and one time it lasted 6 hours, and the doctors gave me atenolol, and it worked great and has worked ever since! I do sometimes get dizzy if my blood pressure gets too low, but I just eat salt if it does. I rate this medicine a 9/10 because it keeps my heart rate very normal, around 65-79 now, but also gives me the low blood pressure feeling."

• JTa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 23, 2020

For Migraine Prevention "Atenolol was my second try at a preventative (the first was another beta blocker-propranolol). I came off propranolol due to insomnia. Atenolol unfortunately also caused insomnia for me. I would have frequent dizzy spells and fatigue, but could not sleep at night. On to the next!"

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

For Anxiety "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."

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

For Anxiety "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."

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

For Anxiety "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."

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

For Anxiety "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!"

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

For Anxiety "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."

• Sun...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• July 18, 2020

For Ventricular Tachycardia "On this for postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS). This is a terrible drug! I would highly recommend avoiding this med at all costs. This med caused severe dizziness to the point I couldn't function. Also, atenolol causes crippling depression and has a black box warning when you stop taking it. Right before I stopped the med, I noted extreme breathlessness and felt like I couldn't get enough air."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 5, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking atenolol 25 mg and methyldopa 500 mg for 5 months now. My BP is very normal, however, the side effects are just bad: dizziness, dull pain on the left side of my body, chest discomfort, and anxiety, always very paranoid. Some days are better. I am hoping all these will go away. I'm also terrified about coming off atenolol, but I really want to."

• sce...
• July 27, 2015

Atenolol for Supraventricular Tachycardia "I've been taking this medication since Mar 2015. Started out on 75 mg a day and found the side effects were horrible. Tiredness, dizziness. It just became too much and I couldn't function. Doctor dropped it to 50 mg a day and my heart rate drops below 50 bpm, which is scary, and blood pressure drops."

• tai...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• June 8, 2014

For Migraine Prevention "Was given atenolol for high blood pressure and suffered many bad side effects. Very tired, itching, dizzy, increase in blood sugar, and moodiness. Migraine headaches are a sign of non-celiac gluten sensitivity. Many family members suffer with migraines, and a gluten-free diet stops them."