Do you have to balance beta blockers when you stop taking them?

If you are taking beta blockers off, it is imperative that you eliminate them. Otherwise, there is a risk of side effects that often counteract the effect of the medication. This can lead to palpitations, migraines, high blood pressure and heart rhythm disturbances.

The higher the dose of the beta-blocker you have taken, the higher the risk of such consequences. The discontinuation of beta-blockers as well as other medications should always be done in consultation with a doctor. One possible concept is to first reduce the dose over a period of about 6 weeks and then at some point to take the medicine only every second day, every third day, etc.

What undesirable effects (side effects) can occur?

The side effects of beta-blocker therapy on the cardiovascular system are a slower heart rate and pulse rate as well as electrical conduction disorders with cardiac arrhythmia. There are also beta receptors in other organs such as the lungs, kidneys and liver, so that beta blockers have an effect or side effects here as well: Beta-blockers must not be used if there is an unbalanced functional restriction of the heart (decompensated heart failure), if there are electrical conduction disorders in the heart or if there is a low heart rate (heart rate) even before therapy begins. Betablockers must not be prescribed for bronchial asthma and chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) either, as they can lead to asthma attacks or severe shortness of breath.

Patients with diabetes, who often have low blood sugar, should also not be given beta blockers for high blood pressure therapy, as the medication can cause a further reduction in blood sugar. – The small airways of the lungs become narrow, which can lead to an attack of shortness of breath. – The kidneys excrete less sodium and water, so that there is a higher volume of fluid in the body.

The liver produces less sugar, which can lead to hypoglycaemia in diabetics, which in turn causes discomfort. – Blood lipid values can increase during beta-blocker therapy, which leads to an increased risk of arteriosclerosis. Especially when a new treatment is started, increased fatigue, dizziness, headaches, confusion, sweating, sleep disorders, depressive moods and hallucinations can occur.

However, these rather unspecific symptoms do not occur in all patients and can also be caused by a variety of other factors. In addition, the side effects can also diminish or disappear completely once the body has become accustomed to the medication. Less common but also possible are side effects in the gastrointestinal tract such as diarrhoea or constipation, nausea and vomiting.

Skin symptoms such as rashes, redness and itching may also occur in some cases. Very rare but possibly more serious are side effects such as a too strong drop in blood pressure, a too low heart rate and shortness of breath. These symptoms may be particularly common in the case of an overdose, interactions or previous illnesses that speak against taking beta blockers. A particular side effect of beta-blockers feared by men is erectile dysfunction, often simply referred to as impotence.