Beta Blocker Medications

I lost 52 lbs while on Beta Blockers.

I have been on Toprol XL for many years. I dont' have any issues losing weight. I use a fitbit because heart rate monitors will not be accurate for me. Beta blockers can also change your body's sugar metabolism, so I have found that I eat a little higher in protein than carbs. Same principal will work - eat fewer (and better calories) and move more!

I lost 25 lbs early last year and kept it off. Now I am down 14 of the 35 more! Good luck!:bigsmile:

I was able to lose weight on a beta-blocker when I first started out (with WW) back in October. In 2 months I lost about 10 pounds, which is pretty respectable. So yes, it's possible.

The side effects were driving me nuts, though--horribly low energy, and, hair loss. I insisted on being taken off the drug. I told my doc that if my BP numbers aren't better when I've reached my goal weight, I'll *consider* going back on it.

side effects for beta blockers include heart attack and stroke, not worth it imo

Actually, that is what Beta Blockers treats, too...

I think you may be thinking of Calcium Channel Blockers - that class is dangerous.

I know it is possible to lose weight on a BB but man, it does make it harder. I just went off of my beta blocker. Since I went off (5 days ago) I have already lost 3 lbs. And i have been busting my butt and eating the same as i did as when I was on it.

Out of curiosity, what is everyone's resting HR before beta blockers? I feel like mine is higher than it should be for someone who is pretty fit.

I am on a beta blocker and am having success here.

There are legitimate reasons to take them, but I would just throw caution to anyone who wanted to use them for weight loss assistance or for slightly elevated blood pressure.

I take propranolol (which is a beta-blocker) to prevent Migraines. It has been heaven set for me! I have wondered the same thing….. I bought a HRM and I tend to burn ½ the calories mfp was giving. I asked one of the Internal Medicine doctors I work with and she told me to get rid of my HRM, because it will only make me crazy. She told me to just log what mfp gives me, or a little below and that will be more accurate then my HRM. It is frustrating not being able to get up into my target zone! But the trade off for me is migraines….I’d rather take the wt off slow.

All medications should be considered ONLY if your medical need for them is your primary motivating factor, not their weight loss effects. Taking drugs for weight loss is risky and sometimes it comes back to bite you in other ways. Increasing exercise and decreasing food will *always* make you thinner, no matter how thin you get. You just have to keep it up for long enough. There's no magical point where you stop losing weight because your body thinks you're too thin, unless you literally starve yourself, and even then you slowly keep losing. If you've hit a plateau you just need to exercise more or spike your metabolism or revise your idea of healthy eating or something.

Beta blockers actually make it harder to lose weight. If you don't know about the drugs, please reserve your comments.

As a trauma nurse we give these drugs all the time to patients who have chronic or acute problems. Beta blockers are usually only for smooth muscle which works for the heart and blood vessels, where as the calcium channel blockers work with the lungs, heart, and vessels so it is not as specific as a beta blocker.

EITHER way just ask your NP or doc what you want to do before you try and do it.

I looked up "Toprol" on here because that's what I am on, and I wanted to know if anyone was having a problem losing weight. It seems to be taking FOREVER for me....maybe I'm just impatient. I've lost 13lbs so far, since Christmas. I have 40 more to go to get to my first goal of 145 I'm eating my goal net calories of 1400 per day, and burning over 500 per day doing cardio. I've been STUCK at 185 for weeks now....

I too am having difficulty losing anything more than water weight. I now believe it is my beta blocker. I began taking Atenolol in 2007 for inappropriate sinus tachycardia. In that time I've had to triple my dosage as my body has developed a tolerance. I now take 75mg a day. Since I began the med I have gained 40 pounds. I was underweight when I started on it, so didn't mind the first 10 pounds or so. But then I kept putting on weight. Now I cannot seem to lose it.

I've been reading about beta blockers and it seems some of the older ones, like the one I take, is notorious for causing weight gain and an inability to shed pounds easily - apparently long time users of some beta blockers end up with metabolisms that are slowed down 30-50%!

I see my doctor on April 2. I will be asking if we can

a) try weaning me off over a period of two months, to see if the tachycardia has resolved itself

or

b) if that doesn't work, go with a NEWER beta blocker that doesn't have such drastic side effects - like Coreg.

My other big concern is that I am a newlywed. We aren't thinking of kids yet, but we will someday soon - and some beta blockers, especially the older ones like Atenolol, can be dangerous to a fetus. I want to be either totally off them, or on something deemed safe before we get pregnant.

bumping.........