I take Atenolol - 50 mg. Ever since January when my doctor increased my BP med and decreased my Thyroid Med (he thought it was too high and causing me anxiety) , I have gained weight. I work out at the gym 4 days a week and watch what I eat. I'm more tired and sometimes have shortness of breath, although that has lessened a good bit.

Has anyone experienced weight gain on a beta blocker? I was doing great with my weight loss when I took a diuretic-type BP med, but hated how it sent me to the bathroom all the time. It's very inconvenient when you are traveling.

I've gained about 12 pounds since Christmas. Granted, a couple of those months I wasn't working out at all, but now I'm back with it and still gaining.

Besides beta blockers (which slow your heart rate, which I can see why that would make you gain weight), and diuretics, what other type of BP med is there? What does an ace inhibitor do? I'm ready to go back to the diuretic.

My daughter is getting married in August, and I'm determined to lose weight by then. It's my goal. I ordered a great mother of the bride dress, and I'm afraid it will be too tight!

Thanks ladies!

WriterMom

I have taken toprol, which is a beta blocker, for years. I never had trouble with my weight until recently. But I don't think it's the blood pressure meds that cause it. I believe that my weight gain comes from the combination of perimenopause and progesterone. Not sure if other beta blockers cause weight gain or not.

Beta blockers are one of the causes for me to gain weight. it slows everything down. It make you exercise resistant is what I was told. If your heart rate can't get up, then the arobic part of exercise is not working. I have gained alomst 20 lbs. That can not help my blood pressure.
Glenda

Beta Blockers are known to interfere with thyroid function, which lowers your whole metabolism. Many docs won't Rx them for their hypothyroid patients for that reason.

Thank you for your replies. I am going to question my doctor about my beta blocker interfering with my thyroid med. I was doing great last summer when I was on the diurectic-type med. Down to 157. I'm now at 173 and I hate it! Granted, I slacked off over the Christmas holidays, and dind't exercise for 2 months regularly. I know that if you were exercising and then quit, that you would gain back even more. I do feel more sluggish on the beta blocker.

WriterMom

Writermom,

I was diagnosed with hypothyroid(Hashimotos) and was doing ok on meds. Then started with anxiety and panic, my doc also put me on a beta blocker. I gained 40 pounds in three months and have never been able to take it off despite exercise and diet. I know it was the bb. Good news, after 6 years I am now off the bb and doing well have lost 3 pounds in 2 weeks. everyone's body is different, so you should talk to your doc about it.

ladybugmom

I cannot take Beta Blocker thank goodnes.. My resting heartrate is only in the 50's so I could not tolerate it. I take Benicar Hzt. Not weight gain, no side effects, no nothing. Love it.

I have gained weight too from BB's , but I would rather have gained than have my heart race 24/7

Hugs,

Moozie

I've taken beta blockers for years and don't know why you think that would make you gain weight. The slowing down of your heart is a good thing and shouldn't have any connection with weight gain. I would have the thyroid meds checked, if anything. I just had mine reduced as well and I feel a lot better. I take a beta blocker, an ace inhibitor, and also a diuretic for bp control, along with levothyroxine. Talk with your Dr. and get the real scoop...........

Retriever2

retriever,
Just do a search on 'beta blocker + weight gain' and there are plenty of sources that confirm it can cause it.