My uro asked my md to switch me from 50mg atenolol to 4mg cardura (doxazosin). no instructions were phoned in with the prescription about tapering atenolol. i stopped the atenolol today. is it safe? hbp only.

Yes: It is safe but some individuals may develop tachycardia (rapid palpitations) following cessation of medication such as atenolol which is a beta blocker. If that condition occurs it usually resolves within days to 2 weeks.

Ask your doctor: You are right that beta-blockers generally should be tapered off gradually. 50 mg of atenolol is a medium dose, so i usually would tell people to take 25 mg for a week before stopping, depending on their blood pressure and pulse. 25 mg doesnt lower BP very much anyway, if tell your md you heard beta-blockers aren't supposed to be stopped suddenly, i'm sure she/he will work it out with you.