Overview Of Atenolol (Tenormin)

Atenolol is a prescription medication that belongs to a group of drugs known as beta-blockers. It is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, and it may also be used to treat stable angina (chest pain). Atenolol is taken by mouth, and it is usually taken each day as an oral tablet. Tablets are available in strengths of twenty-five, fifty, and one hundred milligrams. For adults with high blood pressure, the initial dose is normally fifty milligrams per day, and the maintenance dose can be up to one hundred milligrams per day. Geriatric patients may be given an initial dose of twenty-five milligrams, and the medication should be used with caution in individuals with liver issues.

The uses, side effects, precautions, and drug interactions associated with atenolol are outlined below.

How It Works

Along with nadolol, bisoprolol, and acebutolol, beta-blockers like atenolol work by preventing adrenaline (also known as epinephrine) from activating the beta receptors located in heart cells. Adrenaline is considered a stress hormone, and it plays a role in the 'fight-or-flight' response. When adrenaline is blocked from activating these receptors, the patient's blood vessels relax, and the heart has a reduced demand for oxygen. Veins and arteries are widened, and blood flow is improved. The medication reduces the force with which the heart beats, and it also slows down the patient's heart rate. Blood pressure decreases, and chest pain is reduced.

Read about the uses and benefits of atenolol next.