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time beta blocker takes to work?

bertiedog

Senior Member
Messages
1,738
Location
South East England, UK
There are several extended release versions of propranolol as I mentioned, including Propal Retard and Inderal Retard. They active substance is just propranolol but it gets released throughout the day.

My migraine Consultant has just changed me onto 80 mg Slow Release Propananol but I knew I wouldn't be able to tolerate that dose because I am very sensitive to medications so I opened up the capsule and threw away approximately half of the time released little particles and put it back together and started one daily on Monday.

I have to say I have tolerated it really well and have gradually upped the dose. I feel better on it than when I took 20 mg x 3 of the standard tablet. That had a bad effect on me making me so tired and often light headed when I tried it last week, I really couldn't carry on with that. Therefore I was very pleasantly surprised to find that this slow release version feels much more tolerable.

I am not sure if I will be able to go right up to the 80 mg but think I will at least be able to get near to that dose to give it a chance to help me break the almost daily migraines/headaches I have been having for quite a while. I looked up how long it is supposed to take to get to full effect and it said 4 hours but I feel with me it seems to be more like 2 - 3 hours. As I suffer with POTS it is a great drug for me and feels like it is controlling it very well so far.

Pam
 

Sushi

Moderation Resource Albuquerque
Messages
19,935
Location
Albuquerque
I have to say I have tolerated it really well and have gradually upped the dose. I feel better on it than when I took 20 mg x 3 of the standard tablet.
What does it do to your HR? I am only taking 5 mg of propranolol twice a day, because of a low HR.
 

bertiedog

Senior Member
Messages
1,738
Location
South East England, UK
@Sushi It does slow it down to around 68 at times and if it goes lower than that I just take an extra half a grain of dessicated thyroid which will then raise it up into the low 70s. Having a slightly lower heart rate whilst walking the dog I think helps my nervous system to stay relaxed. I used to get a really high heart rate with even walking on a flat path but that is greatly improved with a beta blocker so it feels a lot more comfortable. I will have to wear my heart rate monitor some time and see exactly what is happening.

I have had a mild migraine today because I didn't take any painkilling medication early enough this morning hoping the pain would go away but fingers crossed it isn't going to get too bad having taken some Sumatriptan and Migraleave. Its the first one since Sunday which for me is an improvement as I was getting them almost daily but do hope they will improve a lot more with the SR Propananol.

Pam
 
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erin

Senior Member
Messages
885
I take 50mg metoprolol succinate every morning between 6 - 7 a.m. for tachycardia for 4 years. I take it empty stomach and go back to sleep. I usually get awake at 6ish anyway. It works really quick for me, like 15 minutes approximately.
 

TrixieStix

Senior Member
Messages
539
I take 50mg metoprolol succinate every morning between 6 - 7 a.m. for tachycardia for 4 years. I take it empty stomach and go back to sleep. I usually get awake at 6ish anyway. It works really quick for me, like 15 minutes approximately.
My ME/CFS specialist just started me on 12.5mg omce daily to be taken with breakfast. I was told to always take with food. Maybe it causes upset stomach if taken without food?
 

Kati

Patient in training
Messages
5,497
Atenolol is usually prescribed twice a day because the half life is not 24 hours, it is much less than that. If you have lingering symptoms you should ask to get it twice daily. I started at 12.5 mg twice daily (usually noon and midnight, my natural schedule) and perhaps 2 years ago I was encouraged to increase to 25 mg twice daily.

If you are wondering how long it takes until it starts to take effect, you are under-medicated but then that is my opinion and I am no doctor. My night time dosage covers me until I take my daytime pill. So I do not worry about tachycardia or other POTs related symptoms, unless I am in a bad crash or unless something unusual is going on.

I do not have upset stomach if I take it without food. I do not think it matters for this particular drug.
 

erin

Senior Member
Messages
885
My ME/CFS specialist just started me on 12.5mg omce daily to be taken with breakfast. I was told to always take with food. Maybe it causes upset stomach if taken without food?

I didn't feel major stomach issues initially taking the beta blocker. I had to take it 5 - 6 am' ish as the palpitations were very bad around early mornings.

Later on I had so many GI problems not so sure due to beta blocker or I was having a major ME flare.

However, my initial post was 5 months ago. So much changed since then. I now have thyroid issues and supplementing with thyroid medicine. This had changed my metabolism and my heart rate was in 40'ies in minute. I'm now weaning off beta blockers. I take 25mg every other day 4 hours (10 am) after thyroid supplement. I intend to stop taking them soon as I don't need them anymore.