What is Atenolol? Uses, warnings & side effects
Atenolol is a generic prescription drug used for high blood pressure and heart problems. It belongs to a family of medications called cardioselective beta blockers. These drugs widen blood vessels and decrease the amount of work demanded by the heart. Atenolol is only taken as tablets; doses are usually taken once daily.
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Atenolol overview
BRAND NAMES:
Tenormin
Generic Names:
Atenolol
Uses:
Treats high blood pressure and chest pain. It also reduces the risk of complications and death after a heart attack.
Therapeutic Classes:
Beta blocker, cardioselective beta blocker, antihypertensive, antianginal, antiarrhythmic, cardiovascular agent
Forms:
Tablet
How it’s taken:
By mouth
What is Atenolol used for?
Atenolol is used for a variety of cardiovascular problems, including high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina), and heart attack. For heart attacks, doctors use atenolol to prevent further heart attacks and reduce the chances of dying. In addition to these treatments approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration, healthcare professionals may use atenolol off-label for other reasons such as migraine prevention, rapid heart rate (tachycardia), and tremor.
What form(s) does Atenolol come in?
Tablet
25 mg
50 mg
100 mg
What are common Atenolol dosages?
For high blood pressure: 50–100 mg tablet taken once per day
For chest pain (angina): 50–200 mg taken orally once per day
For heart attack (acute myocardial infarction): 50 mg tablet twice daily or 100 mg taken orally once per day for six to nine days or until hospital discharge
Find more information about atenolol dosage, forms, and strengths here.
Atenolol images - What does Atenolol look like?
Atenolol
30 tablets bottleAtenolol
30 tablets disp packAtenolol
100mg tabletAtenolol
25mg tabletAtenolol
50mg tablet
How to take Atenolol
Take atenolol tablets as directed. The dose may need to be changed depending on side effects.
Atenolol can be taken with or without food, but it is more effective when taken on an empty stomach.
Try to take atenolol doses at the same time(s) every day.
Swallow atenolol tablets with a glass of water.
Store the medicine in a light-resistant, closed container at room temperature.
What to do if you miss a dose of Atenolol
Do not miss doses of atenolol. Missing a dose may cause problems.
Ask the prescribing healthcare provider what to do if a dose is missed.
The doctor will probably advise you to take the missed dose unless it’s almost time for the next dose. In that case, ignore the missed dose and take the next dose at its regular time.
Never take extra atenolol tablets to make up for a missed dose.
Atenolol contraindications - Who shouldn't take Atenolol?
This medicine is not right for everyone.
Do not take atenolol tablets if you have had an allergic reaction to atenolol or any other beta blocker.
Atenolol can also not be taken by people with severe heart rhythm problems. Since these conditions are very serious, and some are immediately life-threatening, a doctor will know that you have them.
Atenolol cannot be safely given to people with untreated adrenal gland cancer.
Atenolol warnings
Tell any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you that you are using atenolol. Healthcare professionals may tell you to stop using this medicine several days before major surgery or certain medical tests.
You will need regular doctor’s visits and lab tests so the doctor can monitor treatment effectiveness and medication side effects. Keep all appointments.
Tell the doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. Atenolol may harm an unborn fetus.
Tell the doctor if you have:
Heart failure
Any previous heart attack
Airway constriction problems such as asthma, bronchitis, or emphysema
Kidney disease
Diabetes or low blood sugar
Overactive thyroid
Adrenal gland cancer
This medicine may worsen the symptoms of heart failure or cause low blood pressure.
Atenolol may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), raising the risk of severe hypoglycemia. Tell the doctor if you are diabetic, fasting, or not eating.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or do anything else that requires alertness until you know how this medicine affects you.
Atenolol should never be stopped until consulting with a doctor. Doing so may result in chest pain or heart attack. The doctor may need to reduce the dose gradually when it’s time to stop.
Atenolol interactions & what to avoid when taking Atenolol
Atenolol can cause problems when combined with other drugs, so tell the prescribing healthcare provider about all prescription drugs, over-the-counter medications, and supplements you use, particularly:
Other beta blockers
Heart rhythm medications, including amiodarone and disopyramide
Heart treatments called digitalis glycosides, such as digoxin
Drugs that reduce a neurotransmitter in the heart (catecholamine-depleting drugs), such as amphetamines
The blood pressure drugs reserpine or clonidine
The pain reliever indomethacin
Atenolol cannot be safely combined with general anesthetics. It may be necessary to interrupt atenolol treatment before major surgery.
Tell other healthcare providers you are using this medicine before they prescribe new medications.
Atenolol side effects - How does Atenolol make you feel?
Serious side effects
Talk to a doctor if you notice any signs or symptoms of a possible serious side effect, including:
Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating
Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat
Worsening chest pain or new chest pain
Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet, trouble breathing
Lightheadedness, dizziness, fainting
Difficulty breathing, shortness of breath, asthma-like symptoms
Sudden shortness of breath, chest pain, dizziness, fainting, coughing, coughing up blood
Changes in urination, swelling of the legs, ankles, and feet, itchy skin, confusion
Vision changes
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Less serious side effects
Dizziness
Tiredness
Dizziness
Cold hands and feet
Depression
Fatigue
Find more detailed information about atenolol's side effects here.
Sources:
Atenolol tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
Tenormin drug summary, Prescriber’s Digital Reference (PDR)
Tenormin atenolol tablet prescribing information, DailyMed (NIH National Library of Medicine)
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