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What Causes Dizziness, Nausea And Vomiting After Taking Propranolol?
Question: Hi, I have low to normal blood pressure, am type 2 diabetic, 52 year old female, menopausal, have had 3 x episodes of atrial fibrilation in 6 years, and seem to be experiencing bad episodes of dizziness, nausea, vomiting, with no headache. I am desperately trying G to lose weight. My gp has just prescribed me 2 x 10mg of propranolol, I am petrified to take it, as the side effects seem hideous, any suggestions please
Brief Answer:
You need to use anti arrythmic medicines alongwith BP monitoring
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!
Based on the history of atrial fibrillation and frequency of attacks, it calls for the prioritization of its management over as well as in presence other diseases in your case.
Beta blocker like atenolol will lower the blood pressure and if dizziness or vertigo has started after propanlol you need to confirm that if it being caused by lowered blood pressures. But if blood pressures are normal continue beta blockers as these will help with your heart to beat in controlled rate. I would rather have suggested to switch atenolol to metoprolol and leave it upto you GP or cardiologist in your case whether it is safe to be used in your case or not. Alternate options would be amiodarone or digoxin if beta blocker is totally not being tolerated. I would still suggest that with these symptoms of dizziness with vertigo and vomiting get an EKG to rule out abnormal heart rythms including heart blocks caused by beta blockers. You may also be asked for thyroid fucntions tests and also try to get a cardiologist referal to discuss for any possible cause of atrial fibrillation in your case.
Keep sugars in check and it losing weight is going to be of advantage in your case. Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
You need to use anti arrythmic medicines alongwith BP monitoring
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Welcome to health care magic!
Based on the history of atrial fibrillation and frequency of attacks, it calls for the prioritization of its management over as well as in presence other diseases in your case.
Beta blocker like atenolol will lower the blood pressure and if dizziness or vertigo has started after propanlol you need to confirm that if it being caused by lowered blood pressures. But if blood pressures are normal continue beta blockers as these will help with your heart to beat in controlled rate. I would rather have suggested to switch atenolol to metoprolol and leave it upto you GP or cardiologist in your case whether it is safe to be used in your case or not. Alternate options would be amiodarone or digoxin if beta blocker is totally not being tolerated. I would still suggest that with these symptoms of dizziness with vertigo and vomiting get an EKG to rule out abnormal heart rythms including heart blocks caused by beta blockers. You may also be asked for thyroid fucntions tests and also try to get a cardiologist referal to discuss for any possible cause of atrial fibrillation in your case.
Keep sugars in check and it losing weight is going to be of advantage in your case. Hoping you a speedy recovery. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. Regards.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Dear Doctor
Thank you for your response
The Dizziness with vertigo and nausea are PRIOR to commencing on Propranolol. This is the reason the GP has prescribed beta-blocker to try and stop Vestibular Migraines. Ekg's have been regular and in sinus rhythm. No heart abnormalities observed. I have had a cardiologist referral, saw the register, and he did not know what to prescribe me if anything. I am feeling a bit lost with regard to what is going on. I asked him what was causing the AF, and he prescribed a blood thinning tablet ( not warfarin) and the GP said not to take it.
Should I go back to the GP or Cardiology? warm regards
Thank you for your response
The Dizziness with vertigo and nausea are PRIOR to commencing on Propranolol. This is the reason the GP has prescribed beta-blocker to try and stop Vestibular Migraines. Ekg's have been regular and in sinus rhythm. No heart abnormalities observed. I have had a cardiologist referral, saw the register, and he did not know what to prescribe me if anything. I am feeling a bit lost with regard to what is going on. I asked him what was causing the AF, and he prescribed a blood thinning tablet ( not warfarin) and the GP said not to take it.
Should I go back to the GP or Cardiology? warm regards
Brief Answer:
Cardiologist is preferable option
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the appreciation and for sharing the details.
It is good that you know alot about your diagnosis and treatment options. For vestibular migraines and vertigo and dizziness in the old history of atrial fibrillation, I would rather recommend you betahistadine alongwith prochlorperazine for symptomatic relief to combat nausea, and vertigo, and for migraine prohylaxis better choice would be fluoxetine with or without ergot amines to prevemg frequency of attacks but during acute attacks only anagesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen will work for pain relief. As propanlol has less cardiac action and more peripheral so it is giving you pseudo or false impression to be controlling the atrial fibrillation, so for that purpose metoprolol will be better option. Since you are having sinus rythm, you may not need to use any blood thinning medicine but same would be the choice of cardiologist if you consult him now. His choice to put you on blood thinners was natural at that particular time but since it is settled, it won't be an indication for anticoagulation. I would prefer to consult a cardiologist as he will be able to run workup for atrial fibrillation cause by echo to rule out ischemic or valvular changes as cause.
I hope this hasanswered your question. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more queries. Regards.
Cardiologist is preferable option
Detailed Answer:
Hi! Thanks for the appreciation and for sharing the details.
It is good that you know alot about your diagnosis and treatment options. For vestibular migraines and vertigo and dizziness in the old history of atrial fibrillation, I would rather recommend you betahistadine alongwith prochlorperazine for symptomatic relief to combat nausea, and vertigo, and for migraine prohylaxis better choice would be fluoxetine with or without ergot amines to prevemg frequency of attacks but during acute attacks only anagesics like acetaminophen or ibuprofen will work for pain relief. As propanlol has less cardiac action and more peripheral so it is giving you pseudo or false impression to be controlling the atrial fibrillation, so for that purpose metoprolol will be better option. Since you are having sinus rythm, you may not need to use any blood thinning medicine but same would be the choice of cardiologist if you consult him now. His choice to put you on blood thinners was natural at that particular time but since it is settled, it won't be an indication for anticoagulation. I would prefer to consult a cardiologist as he will be able to run workup for atrial fibrillation cause by echo to rule out ischemic or valvular changes as cause.
I hope this hasanswered your question. If you have any more questions, feel free to ask. You can also reach me directly through my profile in future, in case of any more queries. Regards.
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Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Raju A.T
Answered by
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