title: Close clinical observation minimizes the complications of beta-blocker withdrawal.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To determine whether beta-blocker withdrawal under close medical supervision poses undue risks.
  
  
  METHODS
  Retrospective case review. Data extracted from previous study.
  
  
  METHODS
  114 hypertensive subjects tapered from beta-blocker therapy. Subjects were a subset of patients originally studied for blood pressure medication withdrawal and biofeedback training.
  
  
  METHODS
  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.
authors.affiliation: Division of Nephrology, Albany Medical College, NY.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Eisele
authors.forename: L L
authors.initials: LL
authors.lastname: Gilmore
authors.forename: E B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Blanchard
mesh_terms: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000328:Adult; D004334:Drug Administration Schedule; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012307:Risk Factors; D013375:Substance Withdrawal Syndrome / Q000209:etiology*
chemical_list: D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists