Beta Blockers

Has anyone taking beta blockers during pregnancy? My cardiologist and my EP say it's OK but the drug info seems to strongly contradict that.

Both doctors say the beta blockers have "the potential" to slow a newborns heart rate after birth. Doesn't seem like a good thing to me!

Wondering if anyone has taken a particular brand/label considered safe for pregnancy? I was given the above information based on Atenolol 25.

Thank you,
Wendy

2 Comments

ob's opinion

by Tracey_E - 2010-03-03 03:03:22

I'd get your ob to talk to the cardio and ep, ob's are the pregnancy experts. 25 mg of atenolol is a very minimal dose, maybe that's why they're not concerned.

beta blockers

by sam78 - 2010-03-03 07:03:56

Definitely something to think about.. Atenolol is a category D drug. While that is a tiny dose.. it is still a category D. There are categories A-D and then cat X. A is the best, D is the worst. Atenolol is a category D drug. Metoprolol is only a C (but yes still carries risk). Here is some info about Atenolol.

Atenolol crosses the placental barrier and appears in cord blood. Administration of atenolol in the second trimester of pregnancy has been associated with the birth of infants that are small for their gestational age. In addition, some data have shown a significantly decreased fetal heart rate and significantly decreased mean birth weight of infants whose mothers were taking atenolol relative to those taking acebutolol or pindolol. Case reports of profound beta-blockade in neonates of mothers who were taking atenolol are reported. Because of this, observation of affected neonates for bradycardia and hypotension is recommended for 48 hours postpartum. The results of one study indicate that maternal renal function, mean cardiac output, and heart rate are significantly increased, while mean total peripheral resistance is significantly decreased during the second and third trimesters as compared to 3 months postpartum.

Atenolol has been assigned to pregnancy category D by the FDA. Animal studies have revealed evidence of dose-related embryotoxicity and fetotoxicity. Atenolol has been used during human pregnancy (starting in the second trimester) with evidence of lower birth weight and preterm (less than 37 weeks) delivery. Neonates born to mothers who are receiving atenolol at parturition may be at risk for hypoglycemia and bradycardia. Atenolol should only be given during pregnancy when there are no alternatives and benefit outweighs risk.

Oh and by the way.. Sotalol another common beta blocker is only cat B.

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