Close clinical observation minimizes the complications of beta-blocker withdrawal

OBJECTIVE: To determine whether beta-blocker withdrawal under close medical supervision poses undue risks. DESIGN: Retrospective case review. Data extracted from previous study. SUBJECTS: 114 hypertensive subjects tapered from beta-blocker therapy. Subjects were a subset of patients originally studied for blood pressure medication withdrawal and biofeedback training. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Frequency of symptoms and adverse effects reported by subjects during medication taper to the study nurse. RESULTS: Symptoms were no more likely to occur with beta-blocker withdrawal than with withdrawal of other types of antihypertensive medications. Most adverse effects were classified as minor. Two subjects experienced major symptoms. One subject required reinstitution of beta-blockers for palpitations, and another exhibited angina upon beta-blocker withdrawal. CONCLUSIONS: In well-screened patients under careful monitoring, withdrawal from beta-blockers appears to present a small, manageable risk.