Stimulants Beta-blockers for stimulant comedown? Safe or not?

[Diapsiquir]

So I´ve read many contradictory reports about beta-blockers for stimulant comedowns. While there are many user-reports about it being safe, they are also some (mostly theoretical ones) about it being dangerous, but I didn´t really understand why, I always thought beta-blockers reduce BP and heart rate, so why should they do the opposite while taken after a stimulant?
I´ve taken methylphenidate today and am coming down now, my heart rate is at 124, I have bisoprolol and I´w like to know if I can take it now safely or not.

Wikipedai says this:
"In a trial of cocaine associated chest pain patients were given the combined α- and β-blocker labetolol or diltiazem; it was found that both medications were associated with a similar and statistically significant decrease in blood pressure and heart rate, with no adverse outcomes"

and this:

"Beta blockers must not be used in the treatment of cocaine, amphetamine, or other alpha-adrenergic stimulant overdose. The blockade of only beta receptors increases hypertension, reduces coronary blood flow, left ventricular function, and cardiac output and tissue perfusion by means of leaving the alpha-adrenergic system stimulation unopposed."

 

[spacejunk]

I don't know the answer to this, but I have been told that beta blockers and stims are contraindicated for reasons that seem consistent with the second quote above.
Your heart is way too fucking important to take risks with to avoid a comedown IMO.

That's not to say I can't relate....but I think it's best to err on the side of caution - especially with what is written above.
User reports are notoriously ill-informed on such matters, much of the time.

 

[Diapsiquir]

It´s been a while but still: Thanks for the answer, you were right. I didn´t try it because of possible interactions but I´m still curios why so many users report no negative feedback and still it´s considered dangerous. What do they give you for your heart for OD´s in hospitals beside benzos`There must be something which lowers heart rate selectivly, right?

 

[Wasted_talent]

I believe its totally NOT safe for cocaine, but for amphetamine overdose, Propranolol should lower blood pressure.
Do a bit more research though. For come downs, I'm not really sure if it makes a difference.
Benzodizepine will take the edge off and help with sleep, just stay within safe dosage, 1mg of Clonazepam or 10mgs of Valium is approximately the same. 0.5mg of Xanax for quicker onset but less duration.
Horses for courses though.
Stay safe.

 

[Poppinmolly]

eating a shit ton of food helps I know it like impossible to eat though try soft food it's a lot easier to eat but It definitely helps
Good Luck

 

[daveykronick]

I would get clonidine if you can. It is safe to mix with amphetamines and other stimulants. I have read scientific studies and had personal experience. 0.1mg - 0.2mg of clonidine should be enough to keep your blood pressure in check (take 0.1-0.2mg before the stimulant and after). I think it lasts about 12hrs, but can be taken 3x a day. If you don't have access to it then I would get some benzos if you can. They will lower your blood pressure quite a bit. I was hospitalized for an amphetamine overdose and was given shots of ativan 1mg every 15mins or so for the first hour or two then a shot every once in a while. They didn't use any anti-hypertensive drug on me, just the ativan/lorazepam and zofran for nausea.




In conclusion: do not use propranolol with any stimulants (just to be safe)! Your first line of defense is benzos. Get some lorazepam or alprazolam preferably but any benzo will do. Get yourself some clonidine 0.1 or 0.2 and take it before and after about 12hrs apart. It's funny this thread popped up, though, because I actually switched my propranolol 40mg a day to 0.2mg clonidine 2x a day because clonidine is superior for anxiety IME and it can be combined with stimulants (if I ever relapse, which I have and if I was on propranolol who knows what would have happened). If you don't have access to regular benzos you can get etizolam online. I find etizolam is a good drug to use to calm down while overdoing it on stimulants. Take 1.5-3.0mg etizolam and see if that works. If not, then take another 1.5mg every hour until you are calm. If you are in need of instant relief and can't wait and need a strong effect take a decent amount of etizolam if you have a moderate to high tolerance for benzos (I have taken 10mg+ when I got anxious on meth). Chew the etizolam up first or crush them into a powder and swallow. Now I am not advocating taking huge doses of etizolam or any other benzo but IMO benzo are rather safe at large dosages if there is no alcohol or other depressant involved. That's why I feel safe taking large amounts because I have never had any problems with it.

 

[Crankinit]

The way it was explained to me by a doctor, from what I remember as a layman, is that you have the alpha and beta adrenergic receptors. Beta blockers work by, well, it's pretty self explanatory, blocking the beta receptors, reducing the amount of adrenaline pumping your heart rate and BP up. However, when you take a strong stimulant, it releases adrenaline in huge amounts, well in excess of what you normally have in your system, but because the beta receptors are blocked, it all piles onto the alpha receptors, sending them into overdrive and shooting your BP and HR way up instead of down. Or something to that effect, I'm not a doctor.

I would highly recommend avoiding it. The best thing for a stimulant comedown is a moderate dose of benzos (preferably a fast acting one). Failing that, seroquel is your next bet. Failing that, clonidine, or possibly alpha blockers, as I've read that they don't cause the same issues as beta blockers with stims (no idea why, so I'd highly recommend doing more research before trying this - as someone said, your heart is too important to fuck with).

 

[N0 W4RN1NG]

When you take a B-selective adrenoceptor blocker, and have stimulants in your system, the a1-adrenoceptor gets preferentially stimulated, and can cause some NASTY, potentially dangerous side effects. Combined a & B blockers, like labetolol (but not necessarily dilitiazem) should be used, not pure Beta blockers.