MDMA + Atenolol = Safe? Not?

[t_r_i_p_]

Does anyone know the possible contraindications with atenolol and mdma?

I have done an exhausted search of Google and the Bluelight search engine, and I am getting a lot of conflicting information. Some meth users have reported using it to ease their comedown, but hospitals advise not using beta blockers with stimulants because of theoretical ischemia. Then again, one website stated that they have never been able to find any actual incidents of this happening, it's just a theoretical problem. A lot of what I find on Bluelight is people simply saying something to the effect of, 'don't roll with uncontrolled high blood pressure.'

I guess I'm just confused. I'm also fairly new to the world of drugs in general.

I roll like twice a year now, and would like to roll again as soon as I can find some clean pills. (Which could be a long time, with the flood of piperazines.) However, I recently developed high blood pressure. There isn't anything really wrong with my heart, and in fact, the doctor said it's most likely due to stress because I have problems with anxiety too. I'm prescribed atenolol, but I'm trying to manage stress better and make healthier life choices so I can eventually stop taking it.

In the meantime, does anyone know how dangerous this combination would be? I'm already aware of the risks of stroke, heart attack, blood clots, etc. You don't need to stress those to me.

Also, if this is dangerous, does anyone know of a hypertension treatment that wouldn't be contraindicated? I'm already considering switching medications anyway because of the side effects.

Any help would be greatly appreciated. Thanks.

 

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First off, I'm not a doctor, don't have any special medical knowledge, etc. Take everything I'm about to say with a heaping grain of salt (maybe not if you have hypertension, ho ho ) and always get a second opinion, especially one from a professional.

If you were using a broad-scope beta blocker (i.e. one that blocked all beta-andrenergic receptor subtypes), I'd be extremely wary of mixing it with any kind of stimulant. Alpha and beta andrenergic receptors have a complementary role in controlling vasoconstriction (alpha) and vasodilation (beta), and blocking the beta receptors in the presence of elevated adrenaline/noradrenaline from the stimulant would most likely lead to excess vasoconstriction (due to stimulation of the alpha receptors without the beta receptors balancing it) and consequent ischemia.

The fact that Atenolol is a selective b1-receptor antagonist makes the situation more interesting, because b2-receptors are the ones that primarily mediate vasodilation. b1-receptor stimulation causes increased heart rate and pumping volume, and consequently higher blood pressure; when it's blocked, heart rate is not necessarily suppressed, but it's discouraged from rising in the presence of adrenaline/noradrenaline. I'm tempted to say that as long as the b2-receptors are still able to control vasodilation, you shouldn't need to worry about ischemia.

I know it's difficult to consult about the use of illegal drugs with medical professionals, and most people on this forum will (correctly) recommend not using in a void of knowledge about any potential side effects. Nevertheless, I hope what I've said gives you a place to start in your continuing research into the topic, and I'd definitely try to seek out a non-judgmental source of medical knowledge or trying your question with the folks on the Advanced Drug Discussion board.

 

[t_r_i_p_]

If you were using a broad-scope beta blocker (i.e. one that blocked all beta-andrenergic receptor subtypes), I'd be extremely wary of mixing it with any kind of stimulant. Alpha and beta andrenergic receptors have a complementary role in controlling vasoconstriction (alpha) and vasodilation (beta), and blocking the beta receptors in the presence of elevated adrenaline/noradrenaline from the stimulant would most likely lead to excess vasoconstriction (due to stimulation of the alpha receptors without the beta receptors balancing it) and consequent ischemia.

The fact that Atenolol is a selective b1-receptor antagonist makes the situation more interesting, because b2-receptors are the ones that primarily mediate vasodilation. b1-receptor stimulation causes increased heart rate and pumping volume, and consequently higher blood pressure; when it's blocked, heart rate is not necessarily suppressed, but it's discouraged from rising in the presence of adrenaline/noradrenaline. I'm tempted to say that as long as the b2-receptors are still able to control vasodilation, you shouldn't need to worry about ischemia.

This is exactly the type of reply I was hoping for. THANK YOU! :D

My doctor is: 1.) completely anti-recreational drug-use and 2.) my mother's collaborating physician, so I think I'll go the safer route and ask the Advanced Drug Discussion board first. I know, doctor-patient confidentiality should be upheld regardless, but, well... paranoia wins again.

Thank you, though!