BB side effects in the elderly

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Gen Hosp Psychiatry. 2010 Nov-Dec;32(6):646.e5-7. Epub 2010 Jun 3.Sleep disorders, nightmares, depression and anxiety in an elderly patient treated with low-dose metoprolol.Ahmed AI, van Mierlo P, Jansen P.Department of Geriatric Medicine, Rijnstate Hospital, Arnhem, the Netherlands. amirahmed1@...AbstractIn the Netherlands, the prescription of beta-blockers to patients older than 70 years has increased sharply in recent years. The neuropsychiatric adverse reactions associated with the use of beta-blockers are relatively uncommon and they are mostly seen with poisoning or overdose. We describe an 81-year-old man who developed sleep disorders, nightmares, depression and anxiety as probable adverse effect of low-dose metoprolol (25 mg/day). This case illustrates not only the neuropsychiatric adverse reactions of beta-blockers, but also that diagnosis of these reactions can be easily missed in elderly patients.