Klarinet Archive - Posting 000939.txt from 1997/07

From: Everett Austin <austine@-----.edu>
Subj: Re: Using Inderal
Date: Thu, 31 Jul 1997 00:54:10 -0400

Beta blockers can blunt or mask the symptoms of hypoglycemia in
diabetics, which can be serious to them if they have a mismatch between
their carbohydrate intake and their oral hypoglycemic drugs or insulin.
Large doses of beta blockers can and will slow the pulse and lower blood
pressure. In themselves they would not cause coma. Asthma can be
worsened. Obviously, these are prescription drugs with a variety of
potential effects (also used to treat migraine and certain kinds of
tremor) and should not be used without consulting a physician. However,
for performance anxiety, generally very low doses (5-20mg) suffice, and
they have no habit-forming characteristics, unlike anti-anxiety drugs
which are habit-forming and actually impair motor performance.
Avoiding caffeine is something people may forget about, though useful.
Everett AustinOn
Thu, 24
Jul 1997, Edwin V. Lacy wrote:

> Some physicians have told me that beta blockers can be very dangerous to
> diabetics. As I understand it, they can lower the blood pressure and slow
> the pulse so much in such people that it can result in coma or even death.
> And, many people are diabetic and don't know it. So, this would emphasize
> even more the necessity to take these drugs only under a physician's care
> and direction.
>
> Ed Lacy
> el2@-----.edu
>
>