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.
Atenolol (Tenormin) Uses And Benefits
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure if diuretics have been ineffective. It is also used for patients who have long-term, stable chest pain, and it may be recommended to reduce the risk of death in individuals who have had a heart attack. Doctors might consider prescribing atenolol for 'off-label' uses as well. It is frequently used off-label for the treatment of anxiety, including performance anxiety and social phobia. It could also be considered as an option for migraine prevention, and it may be beneficial for patients with tremors, heart arrhythmias, or hyperthyroidism. It is sometimes prescribed to help manage the symptoms associated with alcohol withdrawal as well.
Learn about the potential side effects of atenolol next.
Potential Side Effects
Patients who take atenolol often experience cold hands and feet, and dizziness, constipation, and diarrhea are other common side effects. Patients may notice leg pain, and episodes of low blood pressure have occurred. Headaches, shortness of breath, and unexplained fatigue are possible during treatment with atenolol too. When these side effects are mild, they typically go away on their own within two weeks. Patients should talk to their doctor if these side effects persist or become severe. Less common side effects associated with atenolol include weight gain and swelling of the arms, ankles, or feet. Depression could develop, too, and patients may notice anxiety, feelings of hopelessness, and trouble with concentration. If any of these side effects develop, patients should inform their doctor right away.
Get familiar with precautions to remember when taking atenolol next.
Precautions To Remember
Generally, patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) or asthma should not take this medication. If it is prescribed, doctors will carefully monitor the patient, and the medicine will be given in a very small dose. Diabetes patients should be aware atenolol could make it more difficult to recognize the signs of low blood glucose, including shaking and an increased heart rate. Thus, they may need to monitor their blood glucose more closely during treatment with atenolol. It is particularly important that patients do not stop taking atenolol without talking to their doctor first. If atenolol is stopped suddenly, the patient could have an increase in chest pain, and blood pressure might rise. Some patients could even have a heart attack. Patients who are discontinuing atenolol will need to do so with a tapered dosing schedule recommended by their doctor.
Uncover the potential medication interactions with atenolol next.
Potential Medication Interactions
Atenolol interacts with other medications commonly used for heart conditions. For example, taking atenolol with digitalis, amiodarone, or disopyramide could cause a dangerous reduction in the patient's heart rate, and this could also occur if atenolol is taken with calcium channel blockers. Using atenolol with indomethacin, a medication designed to treat pain, could reduce the effectiveness of atenolol. MAOI inhibitors and reserpine could increase the effects of atenolol, and patients might be more likely to experience lightheadedness and a slow heart rate. To reduce the risk of potential medication interactions, patients should let their doctor know about all of the medications they take, including over-the-counter medicines, prescription drugs, herbal remedies, and vitamin and mineral supplements.