Atenolol and Tiredness: What Users Say

• Paf...
• November 25, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I know it's been at least 15 yrs taking this medication. It's the ONLY one I take. It does the job, no anxiety and blood pressure low. I'm 48 yrs old and it does seem like I'm experiencing a few side effects now. I'm tired, don't sleep well, sex drive is decreased. My biggest complaint about the medication is that ALL OUR doctors give us absolutely NO homeopathic alternatives!!! I read all 4 pages of comments and no one has been offered a better solution. I know drugs help, but the dependency is beyond belief. A person on here posted a comment about the pharmaceutical industry depending on all of us to use these medications, without a better solution. To me, we've become drug addicts. There's gotta be a better, natural solution to our problems."

• Anonymous
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 11, 2021

For Anxiety "I needed to share my experience with this drug. If I could go back in time, I would have never taken this! It worked well for my anxiety, but the side effects I experienced a month later of taking this at a 12.5-25 mg dosage were awful. I had extreme shortness of breath, chest pains, tingling in my arms (especially my left arm), and feeling lethargic. I stopped taking this medication right when these side effects started, as I thought I was having a heart attack, and it has been the worst medication to come off of. I stopped taking this a week ago, and I have had unbearable anxiety, heart palpitations all day and night, lethargy, insomnia, etc. I see my doctor this week to get an EKG and do other testing after taking this drug. I know everyone's experience is different, but this drug for me was a true nightmare. Side effects on any medication can start at any time, not just right away. What I had to go through this last week withdrawing from the drug, I wouldn't wish on anyone."

• Izz...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• December 9, 2022

For Anxiety "I was prescribed Atenolol for severe panic episodes that consistently raise my heart rate and BP throughout the day. Having cardiophobia certainly didn't help things. My panic attacks consisted of racing thoughts, a hammering heart, trembling hands, and hyperventilation. I was afraid to keep having panic episodes, which would further contribute to them. It was exhausting, scary, and debilitating. I was hesitant to take Atenolol, as it was a drug that directly affected my heart, but I'm glad I did because the relief is indescribable. Atenolol is great for controlling the physical symptoms of anxiety/panic episodes. It blocks adrenaline and keeps your heart rate and BP steady/under control-no matter what you're feeling. I figured out Atenolol had a half-life of 7-8 hours before it wears off. I take it once every 6-7 hours for full, round-the-clock, daily coverage (25 mg doses). Works best on an empty stomach. Been on for 3 years. Finally living life again."

• Pit...
• October 27, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I was diagnosed with genetic high blood pressure at 21. My doctor put me on atenolol, and it helped tremendously with my migraines. At first, I thought it worked pretty well and hadn't had any side effects. Fast forward several years, and I was always tired, suffered from anhedonia and depression, had decreased libido, and could never get a 'runner's high' from working out. I'm off of it now, and I feel alive again. The depression and anhedonia have lifted, I enjoy working out, and am myself again. It controlled my blood pressure well but at the expense of losing myself, it just wasn't worth it."

• not...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• May 6, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "On atenolol for 3 weeks after Dr. changed meds from ramipril and amlodipine for BP. It caused joint pain, muscle cramps, brain fog, constipation, exhausted most of the time. I monitored my BP and found it did little to lower BP, so I stopped for a day and started feeling better. I am going to try natural remedies for lowering my BP and start hitting the exercise and diet more. Seriously. I can’t carry on mixing a prescribed cocktail of drugs that may work for BP control but create havoc on the quality of life. I don’t recommend this drug."

• Soo...
• June 14, 2010

For Anxiety "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."

• Sop...
• April 2, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "My back hurts all the time, it's hard for me to walk. My neighbor thought I was drunk, I never drink! I would feel like I was falling. Had too much pain. I just got off these pills, I'm still in pain. I'd get up in the morning, and all of a sudden, I was so tired and sleepy, so I'd go back to sleep. I felt like I was dying. Couldn't do much being so tired all the time and feeling like I was falling and drunk! Don't take this pill."

• Tra...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• November 26, 2018

Atenolol for Supraventricular Tachycardia "Been taking Atenolol for 27 years for SVT. I take 50 mg twice daily. The only side effect is cold hands and feet for me. This drug has helped me more than any I've taken. In the beginning, it made me very tired and my heart rate was in the 50s, but it takes a bit of time for side effects to wear off."

• 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!"

• Ash...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• July 16, 2019

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I am a 27-year-old female. I was put on Atenolol after years of doctor's visits, including everyone trying to tell me I had anxiety. That was not the case, I was finally diagnosed with Atrial Ventricular Reentry Tachycardia and immediately put on Atenolol. They tried an ablation, but it was unsuccessful. I have now been on Atenolol for 5 years, and I have had chronic fatigue since I began these medications, and I feel like my symptoms are worsening. I have tightness in my chest often, difficulty getting a deep breath, and the lethargy is off the charts, my sex drive sucks, and I feel 'blah' more often than not. I also love to work out, but I feel like I always have a gorilla on my back. It's all extremely frustrating. I am dying to wean off of this medicine, and I really wish the doctors would have educated me more about the side effects because I think the diagnosis would have seemed more bearable than this."

• 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."

• Pak...
• August 4, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "I've been using atenolol for 20 years, not my favorite. I struggle with exhaustion, low blood pressure, and weight gain. On the upside, my aortic aneurysm has remained stable, and aortic replacement isn't necessary for now."

• Noo...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 12, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was prescribed atenolol 25 mg for high blood pressure. I have been taking this drug for over 12 years along with amlodipine. I have to do a speech for my daughter’s wedding, I’m a very anxious person, and the other day I took 50 mg of atenolol as an experiment instead of my usual 25 mg. I found that I was a lot calmer in social situations, usually, I panic doing the weekly shopping. I have never been able to ask for help for my anxiety and have lived with it for many years. I will definitely be taking 50 mg to help me on my daughter's wedding. The only side effects at the higher dose for me were slightly blurred vision and a little more tiredness, pulse and blood pressure a little lower. Best of luck, everyone, just take one day at a time."

• Lar...
• October 6, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "I ended up in the ER with my BP over 200. I was very scared. I was put on atenolol 25 once a day. So far, after a week, I'm down to 150's - 160's, but needs to go lower. How long will this take... anyone know? I also feel tired and am hoping this does not cause weight gain. Any help appreciated. Thanks!"

• Anonymous
• May 30, 2011

Atenolol for Mitral Valve Prolapse "I have been on Tenormin for about 4 years. It certainly has taken care of the heart palpitations. I do not take any caffeine. But other side effects have occurred: asthma has gotten worse, I get winded after running only one and a half miles, more often than not, I feel tired, my hair is thinning, I have esophageal spasms, which I have read that Tenormin may induce upper GI problems. I am going off the medication to see if it makes a difference. I exercise regularly, and 7 years ago, my doctor suggested I take beta-blockers, which I wasn't keen on, but since I exercise, he said it wasn't that imperative that I take it. So I'd rather run regularly and efficiently and be off it."

• chr...
• October 11, 2014

For Mitral Valve Prolapse "I am 39 and identified as having Mitral Valve Prolapse at 28 after a worrisome irregular heartbeat manifested itself typically in the evenings. Have used atenolol since then at a low dosage (12.5-25 mg/day) and am thrilled with the results. Have experienced no side effects but for a little lethargy upon first starting out (either has passed or I've grown accustomed to it in the evenings)."

• So...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• September 28, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on a small dose of atenolol in Feb 22 for severe anxiety and high blood pressure. It has worked incredibly well for me. I do feel tired and fatigued some days, but my anxiety and blood pressure are much lower. So it is worth it, in my opinion."

• Mai...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• September 3, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "Pros: Overall, my experience is positive. Controlling a BP to below 110 for an aortic aneurysm. Cons: dependent on manufacturing for sure. One manufacturer left me exhausted, too low of a BP, and low heart rate."

• 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."

• Anonymous
• July 29, 2009

Atenolol for High Blood Pressure "I was taking Tenormin for about 3 years before I had an episode of chest pain. After tests, it was determined that I have a myocardial bridge. At that time, I asked the doctor to change from Tenormin to something else, as I had frequent strange dreams. I now take Tiazac, and while my blood pressure seems stable, I have spells of tiredness, migraines, and less frequently than before, strange dreams."

• 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."

• van...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• November 15, 2019

"I have postural orthostatic tachycardia syndrome (POTS), and atenolol lowered my pulse to a normal level, but it lowered my already low blood pressure even lower and made me exhausted. If you don't have hypotension, this is probably an awesome drug."

• ATa...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• April 12, 2021

For Ventricular Tachycardia "I was prescribed this medication in 2013. I was in college, every doctor told me I had anxiety and panic attacks, but I know that wasn't it. Was finally 'diagnosed' with VT/WPW. Still unknown to this day, BUT the 25 mg 1x/day dose of atenolol has changed my life for the better. I no longer wake up in the middle of the night with a heart rate of 180+, I can lay on the couch without worrying about a random tachycardia attack, and my palpitations/fluttering are almost completely under control. They still happen, but the episodes don't last hours! Not to mention, I have no health insurance, and the generic version of this drug is SO affordable. Only downside for me are the side effects. I used to take it in the evening, so I didn't notice the side effects, but I recently had to switch to taking it in the morning because I work night shifts at the hospital, and during the day I notice the side effects: lethargy/dizziness."

• ton...
• February 1, 2012

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken atenolol for over 21 years, and it has kept my pressure in the normal range for a 68-year-old man. Although it does slow my heartbeat to 45 bps at times, and I feel tired also."

• Can...
• March 29, 2016

For Anxiety "It helps with the palpitations caused by anxiety, but the side effects are horrible. They include being dizzy, upset stomach, tired, and pain. Really trying to get off soon."