Levothyroxine and atenolol

[Cheryls21]

Is there any reason not to take these two together? My cardiologist says it's ok to take them both at the same time, but after doing some research it says not too.

[Clutter]

Cheryls,

For maximum absorption Levothyroxine should be taken with water 1 hour before, or 2 hours after, food and drink, 2 hours away from other medication and supplements, and 4 hours away from calcium, iron, vitamin D supplements, magnesium and oestrogen.

[SmallBlueThing]

I was put on it, despite a heart rate of about 42bpm at the time, at the minimum dose of 25mg. The whole hospital experience was very tiring for me (nine hours to get a bed), but the atenolol seemed to exacerbate central sleep apnoea -- loss of respiratory drive. I then had a sleep study and was prescribed a CPAP machine for obstructive sleep apnoea, with the consultant telling me I didn't have CSA, yet CSA events are still recorded occasionally, long after ceasing taking atenolol.

I had recently started taking levothyroxine at night, and the pharmacist checked with me about this, but gave me no warning about maintaining the spacing of the atenolol dose, and I reverted to morning dosing soon after. If you separate the doses by at least four hours you should minimize any interaction problems.

If you are over the age of 60-65, you shouldn't be taking it! A friend went to A&E for a check after a minor accident, and they were surprised by his slow heart rate. He'd been put on atenolol despite being in his 70s, and had never subsequently had his blood pressure checked. A quick visit turned into a transfer to another hospital for the fitting of a pacemaker!

Best wishes!

[Treepie in reply to SmallBlueThing]

I do not think you should promote a blanket age restriction ,there is no research to show it should not be taken over 60-65 .There are dangers from stopping it for the elderly.I agree that there needs to be regular monitoring.

[Cheryls21 in reply to Treepie]

I'm 33 and I'm in he process of lowering my doses to wean myself off I'm about 3 mg of atenolol daily.

[SmallBlueThing in reply to Treepie]

First of several relevant hits: ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articl...

[Cheryls21 in reply to SmallBlueThing]

I am 33. I have lowered my self to a very small dose of atenolol. I'm down to about 3 mg daily. I started taking my levothyroxine at 6:45 AM and then my atenolol at 7:30.AM. Guessing that's too close... maybe I'll take my levothyroxine at night since I'm use to taking my atenolol during the day.

[Treepie in reply to Cheryls21]

It probably is too close. I take levo before bed ,for a while I took it when i got up in. the night - being over 70 it happens!

[Cheryls21]

My doctor took me off the levothyroxine. My blood pressure was high and never had been my heart rate was over 140 and I've been dizzy.