Atenolol CAUSING my headaches!!!

[Jim]

Does anyone GET headaches from taking Atenolol (betablocker)?

I have beed on Atenolol since 2004. Everything was fine until 1 year ago when out of the blue I was getting a migraine headache deep behind my right eye 5 hours after taking my Atenolol. I went to my Dr & he disspells / disregards my comments that Atenolol is CAUSING my headaches by saying, "Atenolol is used to prevent migraines and headaches"

So I have done 6 months worth of my own experimenting and have taken my Atenolol at different times of the day. It doesnt matter when I take this drug, it always causes migraine pain behind my right eye 5 to 6 hours after taking it.

I have an appointment Sat Fed 14th to see him again to once again ARGUE over the fact that this Atenolol is CAUSING my headaches.

I'm walking out of that appointment with some other type of med to help my high BP. I can not live with the side-effects of headaches anymore.

1) anyone ever suffer from similar side effects?

2) anyone know of a good alternative to atenolol (betablockers)?

[Laura]

Hi, I been on Atenolol for a week 25 mg. I take it at 10 a.m. every morning for heart palpation. About 4-5 hours later I get a headache too. Not a real bad headache, its dull and very annoying. Plus I have a tightening warm sensation in my chest. Like I am scared or just got scared. I assume that is an anxiety side effect???

[robert]

i just started on atenolol (12.5mg) and i get a headache everyday that i've taken it.

[jlynn]

I just started Atenolol yesterday for high bp - and I woke up with the worst headache. I never ever wake up with a headache and it has come and gone thoughout the day...hoping it's not permanent and my body adjusts.

[Gail]

I have been taking atenolol for about 2 months now . my dose was 25mg a day and now is 50mg. When i first started on the drug i got headaches real bad. I take it for my elivated heart rate. It also for as long as ive been on it has caused dizziness and made me drowsy. It seems to be getting better day by day, but am still not sure yet. Hoping the longer im on it the more i will get use to it. Ive been out of work for a few months now due to various heart problems, and this is suppost to help. Does anyone else have problems with it making you dizzy and tired all the time and when will it go away. I cant deal with it much more. I want to get back to my normal activities but am unable.

[Barb]

Gail wrote:

I have been taking atenolol for about 2 months now . my dose was 25mg a day and now is 50mg. When i first started on the drug i got headaches real bad. I take it for my elivated heart rate. It also for as long as ive been on it has caused dizziness and made me drowsy. It seems to be getting better day by day, but am still not sure yet. Hoping the longer im on it the more i will get use to it. Ive been out of work for a few months now due to various heart problems, and this is suppost to help. Does anyone else have problems with it making you dizzy and tired all the time and when will it go away. I cant deal with it much more. I want to get back to my normal activities but am unable.

Gail, i had the same complaint. the lethargy, always tired, no get up and go. I didn't want to do anything but lie down and sleep. i would get up out of bed and two hours later needed a 4 hour nap. depression, constipation, nightmares. i walked around wondering "what is wrong with me?" and my family was very worried. since being off of it now i am back to my old self, laughing, singing around the house. I walk everyday and beginning to see curves again. Also, i don't have the ankle swelling that i had when on atenolol.

[Karry]

O gosh it gives me the worst headaches ever...like 3-5 hours after taking it...really bad pounding in my head...i dont take it all the time..but when i do i get extreme headaches..

[Shelly]

I just got it prescribed FOR headaches... This blog sounds like it could possibly be a bad idea? I do not know what to do because I am already experiencing headaches that almost make it impossible to function. I went to the emergency room yesterday and after sitting there for 6 hours, they took 0 tests and assume this is what I need to take?

I was in a car accident 2 months ago and that is when my headaches started. Doctors will not help or listen to me.

[Gail]

Shelly wrote:

I just got it prescribed FOR headaches... This blog sounds like it could possibly be a bad idea? I do not know what to do because I am already experiencing headaches that almost make it impossible to function. I went to the emergency room yesterday and after sitting there for 6 hours, they took 0 tests and assume this is what I need to take?
I was in a car accident 2 months ago and that is when my headaches started. Doctors will not help or listen to me.

Well It will effect people diffrently, but from my experience I would not take it ever again and would not suggest it to anyone. It has been nothing but a nightmare for me....

[Ilona]

I've been on attenolol since 1998 and I was fine with the medication up unroll about 6 months ago when my migraines became more and more sporatic. But I still don't know if it's the attenolol that's causing it. I've had a migraine for 6 days now. I took Tylenol codeine #3 nothing else works. Oh and by the way do not take imitrex it makes it worse believe it or not. I had a bad experience with the imitrex too it magnified the headache. I wanted to throw myself our the window. literally !!!!!

[Clement]

Jim wrote:

Does anyone GET headaches from taking Atenolol (betablocker)?
I have beed on Atenolol since 2004. Everything was fine until 1 year ago when out of the blue I was getting a migraine headache deep behind my right eye 5 hours after taking my Atenolol. I went to my Dr & he disspells / disregards my comments that Atenolol is CAUSING my headaches by saying, "Atenolol is used to prevent migraines and headaches"
So I have done 6 months worth of my own experimenting and have taken my Atenolol at different times of the day. It doesnt matter when I take this drug, it always causes migraine pain behind my right eye 5 to 6 hours after taking it.
I have an appointment Sat Fed 14th to see him again to once again ARGUE over the fact that this Atenolol is CAUSING my headaches.
I'm walking out of that appointment with some other type of med to help my high BP. I can not live with the side-effects of headaches anymore.
1) anyone ever suffer from similar side effects?
2) anyone know of a good alternative to atenolol (betablockers)?

I useed to bew on propranol it made me low but no headaches am on atenelol and might go back to propranolol if Doctor permits

[Clement]

I used to be on propranolol regret going to atenolol really

[Margie]

My doctor prescribed atenolol 50 mg. twice a day for high blood pressure, and I am getting severe headaches from this. He is now putting me on an ace inhibitor, Captopril, and we will see if this helps. I will discontinue the atenolol for now. He says he has not heard of atenolol causing headaches. I also take a diuretic hydrocholothiazide, and was wondering if this was causing the headaches.