Metformin and Beta Blockers
What you are about to read next is Metformin and Beta Blockers information many diabetes sufferers do not know…
Beta Blockers and Metformin can be Bad News. Beta Blocker medications are commonly used to treat high blood pressure levels. Many people on Metformin are on blood pressure medication or may need it in the future. Some experts estimate that up to 30% of the population has high blood pressure. Most of those people don’t even know it.
Beta Blockers bring down blood pressure by taking two actions. First, they form a chemical bond with receiptors in the brain and the heart. This blocks signals indicating that a higher level of blood pressure is needed. Not all forms of blood pressure are resolved this way. Beta Blockers can also interact with the heart and blood vessels to reduce blood pressure levels.
Metformin and Beta Blockers
You’ll also find Beta Blockers used to treat anxiety disorders. Anxiety, both generalized and attacks, increase blood pressure and other related symptoms. Because the Beta Blockers inhibit such signals, they are also used as psychiatric medication as well.
The problem occurs when someone is taking either type of beta blocker along with Metformin. Many experts consider it only a moderate risk to combine the two medications. The blocking action of the Beta medications is the crux of the situation. More than just blood pressure messages are potentially blocked.
The signals that you reaching hypoglycemia may also be blocked. As this is also a known side effect of Metformin, additional concern is warranted. A beta blocker has the potential to limit your ability to notice an incidence of hypoglycemia. The fact of this condition occurring in your body doesn’t change. The messages telling you that you’ve reached this level of imbalance become less obvious. Some people don’t even notice the change. The only symptom that seems to remain is sweating.
The biggest challenge when treating diabetes is to reduce the amount “swing” between episodes of high and low blood sugar. Low blood sugar, hypoglycemia is just as important to manage as high blood sugar levels. Beta blockers reduce the signals that you’re in a low blood sugar condition.
Most people recognize hypoglycemia through the following symptoms:
• Sudden feeling of hunger
• Shakiness when moving
• Trouble speaking or completing ideas
• Feeling nervous for no reason
• Being light-headed or dizzy
Low blood sugar can even occur while you are asleep. You might have nightmares that wake you up, sweat heavily at night or not feel rested upon waking if this is happening.
With the potential for beta blockers to increase the potential for hypoglycemia while taking Metformin, individuals must be more aware. Testing blood sugar levels and self-monitoring for any indications of this condition are essential to success on this combined protocol. In fact, many individuals end up changing one or both medications to have a successful treatment.
Now that you are aware of the Metformin and Beta Blockers information, what will you do next?
