New study results show that the side effects of beta blockers that normallyhelp with cardiovascular diseases, cause sleep problems but do not cause depression. However, the risk of depression is higher with other similar therapies. Additionally, this research suggests that beta blockers are not the likely cause.
Such medicines belong to the class of drugs that lower the heart rate, the workload of the heart, blood output and blood pressure in general. This allows doctors to treat heart failure, arrhythmias, chest pain and high blood pressure. Scientists claim that beta blockers have negative psychological side effects. These include depression, anxiety, sleepiness, insomnia, hallucinations and nightmares. In addition, the possible psychological side effects of beta blockers have been the subject of scientific debate for many decades, according to the study authors. However, the current results of their research show that beta blockers should not be considered a risk factor for so many of these negative side effects. The study is the first of its kind to examine the full spectrum of psychological side effects related to beta blockers. Despite being the most commonly reported mental health side effect, depression was not more common during treatment with beta-blockers compared to placebo therapy.
The rate of discontinuation of medication use due to depression was no different in patients taking beta-blockers than other treatments. However, the results show that unusual dreams, insomnia, and sleep disturbances can occur as side effects of beta-blockers. Among the mental health problems analyzed, fatigue was the most common reason for discontinuing such medications. Patients with a history of cardiovascular disease such as heart attack or stroke were prone to psychological complications. Although researchers found that beta-blockers were not causally linked, these people should be monitored. Most studies in this regard were conducted more than 20 years ago, before a consistent understanding of adverse events was established. In addition, the authors took into accountthis studyonly randomized double-blind studies for their analysis. They left out the reports that may provide more data on long-term treatment with beta-blockers.
