Side effects

Common side effects of beta blockers can include:

• Cold hands or feet
• Fatigue
• Weight gain

Less common side effects include:

• Depression
• Shortness of breath
• Trouble sleeping

Beta blockers generally aren't used in people with asthma because of concerns that the medication may trigger severe asthma attacks.

In people who have diabetes, beta blockers may block signs of low blood sugar, such as rapid heartbeat. It's important to check your blood sugar regularly if you have diabetes and you're taking a beta blocker.

Beta blockers can also affect cholesterol and triglyceride levels. They can cause a slight rise in triglycerides, a type of fat in the blood, and a modest decrease in good cholesterol, or high-density lipoprotein (HDL) cholesterol. These changes often are temporary.

You shouldn't abruptly stop taking a beta blocker because doing so could increase your risk of a heart attack or other heart problem.