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Dr. Andrew Rynne
MD
Dr. Andrew Rynne

Family Physician

Exp 50 years

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Does Consuming Atenolol At A Different Time For Hypertension Cause Severe Dizziness?

I have been on atenolol for several years for hypertension. I just switched the time of day I was taking it. I was taking in the evening, and now have switched to after lunch. I have had several severe episodes of dizziness recently and wondering if this could be the cause. I have had dizziness for several years and have been elevated by doctors and with a MRI, and they cannot find a cause. It does not occur often. But the last episodes have been more severe. My blood pressure is well controlled on atenolol. The only recent change is the time of day, I am taking it.
Thu, 30 Mar 2017
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Diabetologist,  's  Response
Hello,

Welcome to Healthcare Magic.

I have read your question fully and understand your concerns.

Yes, you are right about time of taking the Atenolol and dizziness.

Atenolol acts by reducing your blood pressure and also the heart rate. One of the symptoms of fall in blood pressure is dizziness, especially it is noticeable when a person stands or walks rather than sitting or lying. When a person takes Atenolol, the peak levels of atenolol in the blood are found about 3-4 hours after taking the tablet. So, when you were taking the tablet in evening at say 6 pm, atenolol would only start to act by about 9-10 pm. By then you would be relaxing and getting ready for bed. So, you would not have noticed any dizziness as you would already be in bed.

Now, when you changed the timing of taking the Atenolol to lunch time , say 1 pm, the action of Atenolol would be from about 4 pm, you would be still up and about carrying on your daily activities, hence you would have noticed the effects of lowering of your BP and heart rate by feeling dizzy.

Was there any specific reason that you shifted your atenolol to the lunch time? Like for e.g. unable to sleep at night etc.?

If you fine with it, change your atenolol to evening/night time again. Hopefully your dizzy spell would settle down. If despite changing the atenolol to evening time, your dizzy spells continue, I would advise you to see your doctor.

I hope this answer has helped you.

Thank you
Regards
Dr Sunita Sayammagaru
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Does Consuming Atenolol At A Different Time For Hypertension Cause Severe Dizziness?

Hello, Welcome to Healthcare Magic. I have read your question fully and understand your concerns. Yes, you are right about time of taking the Atenolol and dizziness. Atenolol acts by reducing your blood pressure and also the heart rate. One of the symptoms of fall in blood pressure is dizziness, especially it is noticeable when a person stands or walks rather than sitting or lying. When a person takes Atenolol, the peak levels of atenolol in the blood are found about 3-4 hours after taking the tablet. So, when you were taking the tablet in evening at say 6 pm, atenolol would only start to act by about 9-10 pm. By then you would be relaxing and getting ready for bed. So, you would not have noticed any dizziness as you would already be in bed. Now, when you changed the timing of taking the Atenolol to lunch time , say 1 pm, the action of Atenolol would be from about 4 pm, you would be still up and about carrying on your daily activities, hence you would have noticed the effects of lowering of your BP and heart rate by feeling dizzy. Was there any specific reason that you shifted your atenolol to the lunch time? Like for e.g. unable to sleep at night etc.? If you fine with it, change your atenolol to evening/night time again. Hopefully your dizzy spell would settle down. If despite changing the atenolol to evening time, your dizzy spells continue, I would advise you to see your doctor. I hope this answer has helped you. Thank you Regards Dr Sunita Sayammagaru