What is atenolol, and what is it used for?
Atenolol is a beta-blocker medication used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), chest pain (angina pectoris) related to coronary artery disease, abnormally rapid heart rates (tachycardias), and to prevent migraine headaches.
Atenolol blocks the effects of adrenergic chemicals, for example, adrenaline or epinephrine, released by nerves of the sympathetic nervous system.
One of the important functions of beta-adrenergic nerves is to stimulate the heart muscle to beat more rapidly. By blocking the stimulation by these nerves, atenolol reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms.
Atenolol also reduces the force of contraction of heart muscle and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the heart rate, the force of muscle contraction, and the blood pressure against which the heart must pump, atenolol reduces the work of heart muscle and the need of the muscle for oxygen. Since angina occurs when oxygen demand of the heart muscle exceeds the supply, atenolol is helpful in treating angina.
Atenolol was approved by the FDA in August 1981.
Warnings
- Atenolol can cause breathing difficulties in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. In patients with existing slow heart rates (bradycardias) and heart blocks (defects in the electrical conduction of the heart), atenolol can cause dangerously slow heart rates and even shock. Atenolol reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and can aggravate symptoms of heart failure.
- In patients with coronary artery disease, abruptly stopping atenolol can suddenly worsen angina, and occasionally precipitate heart attacks. If it is necessary to discontinue atenolol, its dosage can be reduced gradually over several weeks.
- Hypersensitivity to catecholamines has been observed during withdrawal.
- Exacerbation of angina and, in some cases, myocardial infarction (MI) may occur after abrupt discontinuance.
- When long-term beta-blocker therapy (particularly with ischemic heart disease) is discontinued, dosage should be gradually reduced over 1-2 weeks with careful monitoring.
- If angina worsens markedly or acute coronary insufficiency develops, beta-blocker administration should be promptly reinitiated, at least temporarily (in addition to other measures appropriate for unstable angina).
- Do not suddenly discontinue taking beta-blocker therapy without physician advice.
- Because coronary artery disease (CAD) is common and may be unrecognized, beta-blocker therapy must be discontinued slowly, even in patients treated only for hypertension.
- Do not take if you are allergic to atenolol or any ingredients contained in this drug.
- Keep out of reach of children. In case of overdose, get medical help or contact a Poison Control Center immediately.
Contraindications
- 2°/3° heart block in patients without a pacemaker
- Cardiogenic shock
- Sinus bradycardia
- Sinus node dysfunction
- Hypersensitivity
- Uncompensated cardiac failure
- Pulmonary edema
What are the side effects of atenolol?
Atenolol is generally well tolerated, and side effects are mild and transient. Its side effects include:
- abdominal cramps,
- diarrhea,
- constipation,
- fatigue,
- insomnia,
- nausea,
- depression,
- dreaming, memory loss,
- fever,
- impotence,
- lightheadedness,
- slow heart rate,
- abnormal heart rhythm,
- low blood pressure,
- numbness,
- tingling,
- cold extremities, and
- sore throat.
Other side effects of atenolol include:
- severe congestive heart failure (CHF)
- sick sinus syndrome
- catatonia
- disorientation
- mood swings
- hallucinations
- headache
- impaired performance on neuropsychiatric tests
- psychoses
- short-term memory impairment
- purple-colored spots on the skin
- rashes
- nausea
- low platelet count (thrombocytopenia)
- elevated serum hepatic enzymes and bilirubin
- impotence
- Peyronie's disease
- antinuclear antibodies (ANA)
- lupus syndrome
- visual disturbances
- dry eyes
- Raynaud phenomenon
![](https://images.medicinenet.com/images/quiz/salt/salt-s1.jpg)
QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same. See AnswerWhat is the dosage for atenolol?
- The dose for treating high blood pressure or angina is 25-100 mg once daily.
- Acute myocardial infarction (heart attack) is treated with two 5 mg injections administered 10 minutes apart. Ten minutes after the last injection, give 50 mg every 12 hours followed by 100 mg oral atenolol daily for 6-9 days. If atenolol injections are not appropriate, patients may be treated with 100 mg daily of oral atenolol for 7 days.
Which drugs or supplements interact with atenolol?
Inform your doctor of all medications you are currently taking, who can advise you on any possible drug interactions. Never begin taking, suddenly discontinue, or change the dosage of any medication without your doctor's recommendation.
Calcium channel blockers (CCBs) and digoxin (Lanoxin) can cause lowering of blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels when administered together with atenolol.
Atenolol can mask the early warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and should be used with caution in patients receiving treatment for diabetes.
Severe interactions of atenolol include:
- There are no known severe reactions with the use of atenolol.
Atenolol has serious interactions with at least 21 different drugs.
Atenolol has moderate interactions with at least 175 different drugs.
Atenolol has mild interactions with at least 40 different drugs.
The drug interactions listed above are not all of the possible interactions or adverse effects. For more information on drug interactions, visit the RxList Drug Interaction Checker.
It is important to always tell your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider of all prescription and over-the-counter medications you use, as well as the dosage for each, and keep a list of the information. Check with your doctor or health care provider if you have any questions about the medication.
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Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Atenolol may cause harm and affect fetal growth when given to pregnant women.
- Atenolol is excreted in breast milk and may cause adverse effects in an infant being breastfed.
Summary
Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, blocking the action of the sympathetic nervous system, a portion of the involuntary nervous system. Atenolol is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure (hypertension), used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) related to coronary artery disease, and is also useful in slowing and regulating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates (tachycardias). Other uses for atenolol include the prevention of migraine headaches.
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Which Are the Pressure Points to Relieve Migraines?
Migraines are complex disorders involving episodes of recurrent and severe headaches. They generally present as a headache on one side and may be associated with visual or sensory symptoms (such as seeing flashes of light, colorful or bright shapes, or hearing sounds of various types) collectively called “aura.”
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What Are the First Signs of a Migraine?
The first sign of a migraine is severe eye pain associated with a dull headache. Migraines gradually worsen with physical activity.
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What Causes Migraines?
A migraine is a complex disorder that involves episodes of recurrent and severe headaches. An episode of a migraine can be very painful, lasting for hours, making day-to-day activities difficult until the episode is resolved. The frequency and severity of migraine attacks tend to decline with age. And women are more likely to suffer from migraines than men.
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High Blood Pressure Symptoms
Most people with high blood pressure have no signs or symptoms, even if blood pressure readings reach dangerously high levels. In some patients, symptoms may include fatigue, headaches, dizziness, confusion, sweating, chest pain and vision problems.
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What Causes High Blood Pressure in Children?
Research states that kidney disease is the main cause of high blood pressure in children; however, here are the other potential causes of hypertension in kids.
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How Does High Blood Pressure Affect Pregnancy?
High blood pressure during pregnancy can cause serious complications. Learn more about the signs of and risks associated with the condition.
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What Foods Trigger Migraines?
Migraine is a chronic neurological disorder that features intense headaches on one or both sides of the head. Migraine attacks may resolve in few hours or may take as long as several days.
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What Is the Best Cure for Migraine?
The best cure for migraine involves preventive medications and lifestyle changes. Some newer medications and therapies are effective in controlling the symptoms of migraine. Avoiding or controlling triggers may provide considerable benefit. Migraine can be prevented mainly by using medications, avoiding triggers and implementing lifestyle changes.
Treatment & Diagnosis
- Tremors
- High Blood Pressure (Hypertension)
- Palpitations
- Tachycardia
- Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension
- Angina
- Hyperthyroidism
- Migraine
- Arrhythmia
- Atrial Fibrillation (AFib)
- Pulmonary Hypertension
- Mitral Valve Prolapse
- Heart Disease
- Migraine & Headache Q & A
- Orthopnea
- Postural Orthostatic Tachycardia Syndrome
- Portal Hypertension
- Doctor: Checklist to Take To Your Doctor's Appointment
- Heart Failure
- Paroxysmal Supraventricular Tachycardia (PSVT)
- Headaches and Migraine: Easing the Pain -- Seymour Diamond, MD
- Migraines Survival with Christina Peterson, M.D.
- Migraine: Managing Migraine Misery
- High Blood Pressure FAQs
- Thyroid FAQs
- Atrial Fibrillation A-Fib FAQs
- Migraine Headaches FAQs
- High Blood Pressure Symptoms
- Migraine Headache Treatment
- Medication Disposal
- Angina: Don't Take It Lightly
- Dangers of Mixing Medications
- Vestibular Migraine and Janet Jackson
- Beta Blockers May Decrease Heart Complications Of Surgery
- High Blood Pressure: Questions To Ask Your Doctor
- Inherited High Blood Pressure in a Teenager
- Hypertension In The Elderly - Deserves More Attention
- How To Reduce Your Medication Costs
- Salt, DASH, High Blood Pressure
- Pharmacy Visit, How To Get The Most Out of Your Visit
- High Blood Pressure and Exercise
- Indications for Drugs: Approved vs. Non-approved
- Beta Blockers: Why Take a Beta Blocker?
- Drugs: Buying Prescription Drugs Online Safely
- Drugs: The Most Common Medication Errors
- What Does Hypertension Urgency Mean?
- What Is the Difference Between ACE Inhibitors and A Beta Blockers?
- How Do You Get Rid of a Migraine?
- Do I Have Angina?
- Does Menopause Cause High Blood Pressure?
- Can I Lift Weights with High Blood Pressure?
- Can Botox Cure Migraines?
- Migraine Symptoms
- Angina Diagnosis
- Angina Symptoms
- Pain Relievers and High Blood Pressure
- Generic Drugs, Are They as Good as Brand-Names?
- Migraines: Eat to Minimize Your Migraines
- Heart Healthy Diet: Hypertension & Heart Disease
- High Blood Pressure: Improve Your Lifestyle
Medications & Supplements
- Drugs: Questions to Ask Your Doctor or Pharmacist about Your Drugs
- Beta Blockers
- labetalol
- Drug Interactions
- Types of High Blood Pressure Medications
- Beta Blocker Side Effects (Adverse Effects)
- propranolol, Inderal, Inderal LA, Innopran XL
- metoprolol
- carvedilol
- Congestive Heart Failure Medications
- bisoprolol (Zebeta)
- atenolol and chlorthalidone, Tenoretic
- erenumab (Aimovig)
- bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (Ziac)
- nadolol (Corgard)
- Types of High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Medications
- timolol (Betimol)
- Types of Migraine Headache Medications
- Sectral (acebutolol)
- betaxolol, Kerlone (Discontinued Brand)
Prevention & Wellness
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