Atenolol
Supraventricular Tachycardia, Ventricular Tachycardia ... show more
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DRUG STATUS
Approvals
US(FDA), UK(BNF)
Essential Medicine
YES
Teratogenicity
Possible
Pharmaceutical Class
Beta-Adrenergic Blocker
Atenolol
Know More About This Medicine -
Click HereSummary
Atenolol is a medicine used to lower blood pressure, reducing the risk of serious heart problems like strokes and heart attacks. It also helps manage chest pain, known as angina, and can be used after a heart attack to improve survival chances.
Atenolol works by blocking the effects of stress hormones on the heart and blood vessels. This slows the heartbeat and reduces the force of contractions, making the heart work easier. This in turn helps lower blood pressure and manage chest pain.
For most adults, the usual first dose of Atenolol is 50 milligrams once a day. The doctor might increase it to 100 milligrams if needed. Older adults or people with kidney problems may start with a lower dose of 25 milligrams.
Atenolol can make you feel tired, sleepy, dizzy or nauseous. Less common but more serious side effects can affect your heart rate, blood pressure and breathing. It can also cause serious allergic reactions or mental health problems in rare cases.
Atenolol shouldn't be used if you have a slow heartbeat, certain heart blockages, a serious heart problem called cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure, or an allergy to it. Stopping it suddenly can make your heart problems worse or even cause a heart attack. It should also be avoided if you have lung problems like asthma.
Indications and Purpose
What is Atenolol used for?
Atenolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of serious heart problems like strokes and heart attacks. It also helps manage chest pain (angina) and can be used after a heart attack to improve survival chances.
How does Atenolol work?
Atenolol is a blood pressure medicine. It works by blocking certain signals in your body that make your heart beat faster and your blood pressure go up. This happens in a few ways: it directly slows your heart rate, it lessens the signals from your brain that tell your heart to speed up, and it reduces a substance in your blood that raises blood pressure. The effects start quickly after you take it by mouth (within an hour), reaching their strongest point in a few hours and lasting all day. If it's given through an IV, it works even faster. Importantly, how well it lowers your blood pressure doesn't directly depend on how much is in your blood at any given time.
Is Atenolol effective?
Atenolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure lessens the chances of heart problems and death from heart disease. Studies show it can reduce these risks by a significant amount. It also helps with chest pain (angina) by reducing the heart's workload and is used to treat heart attacks.
How does one know if Atenolol is working?
Atenolol helps lower blood pressure. Doctors check how well it works by measuring blood pressure over a whole day. It can be used with other blood pressure medicines to work even better. Studies show it helps people who've had a heart attack, reducing the risk of death in the first week, but it's not used for everyone with low blood pressure. The dose might need to be changed for older people or those with kidney problems because their bodies process the medicine differently.
Directions for Use
What is the usual dose of Atenolol?
Atenolol is a medicine. For most grown-ups, the usual first dose is 50 milligrams once a day. The doctor might increase it to 100 milligrams if needed. Older adults or people with kidney problems may start with a lower dose of 25 milligrams, and their doctor will watch them closely. There's no information about giving it to children.
How do I take Atenolol?
Atenolol's pill strength depends on why you're taking it. For high blood pressure or chest pain, you might start with a 50mg pill once a day, maybe going up to 100mg or even 200mg. After a heart attack, you'll get it through an IV first, then pills – starting with 50mg, then possibly 100mg once a day or 50mg twice a day. The instructions don't say if you need to take it with food, but if you're not eating or are throwing up, be careful, as it can cause low blood sugar.
For how long do I take Atenolol?
Atenolol is a medicine. If you're taking it for a long-term condition, you might take it for 1-3 years unless your doctor says otherwise. If you had a heart attack, you'll likely take it for 6-9 days or until you leave the hospital. Important: Never stop taking atenolol suddenly; your doctor will help you slowly reduce your dose.
How long does it take for Atenolol to start working?
Atenolol works differently depending on how you take it and what you're measuring. If you take it by mouth, it quickly reduces your heart rate during exercise, reaching its peak effect a few hours later and lasting all day. If it's given through an IV, it works much faster. For high blood pressure, it takes about one to two weeks to see the full benefit of a typical dose.
How should I store Atenolol?
Keep this medicine in a cool place, between 68° and 77°F (or 20° and 25°C). It's okay if the temperature goes slightly higher or lower, between 59° and 86°F (15° and 30°C). When you get it, make sure it's in a tightly closed container that protects it from light.
Warnings and Precautions
Who should avoid taking Atenolol?
Atenolol is a heart medicine. It shouldn't be used if you have a slow heartbeat, certain heart blockages, a serious heart problem called cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure, or an allergy to it. Stopping it suddenly can make your heart problems worse or even cause a heart attack. If you have lung problems like asthma, you should probably avoid this medicine too.
Can I take Atenolol with other prescription drugs?
Atenolol can have serious interactions with other medications. Taking it with certain blood pressure drugs (like reserpine or calcium channel blockers) can cause your blood pressure to drop too low and your heart rate to slow down too much. Using it with some heart rhythm drugs (like disopyramide or amiodarone) can also dangerously slow your heart. Stopping a drug called clonidine while taking atenolol needs to be done carefully. Some pain relievers (like indomethacin) can make atenolol less effective at lowering blood pressure. Finally, combining it with digitalis (a heart medication) increases the risk of a slow heart rate.
Can I take Atenolol with vitamins or supplements?
Yes, you can typically take Atenolol with vitamins or supplements. However, be cautious with magnesium, potassium, and calcium supplements, as they may affect Atenolol's effectiveness. Some herbal supplements (like St. John's Wort) can interact with Atenolol, so it's best to consult your doctor before taking them together. Always check with your healthcare provider for personalized advice.
Can Atenolol be taken safely while pregnant?
Atenolol is a medicine that shouldn't be taken during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary because it might harm the baby. Taking it later in pregnancy has been linked to babies being smaller than expected at birth. We don't know for sure what the risks are earlier in pregnancy. Babies born to mothers who take atenolol during pregnancy or while breastfeeding may have low blood sugar or a slow heart rate. Doctors need to carefully consider the risks and benefits before prescribing it to pregnant or breastfeeding women.
Can Atenolol be taken safely while breastfeeding?
Atenolol is a medicine that can pass into breast milk. Babies who are breastfed while their mothers take atenolol might get low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) and a slow heart rate (bradycardia). This is why doctors advise caution.
Is Atenolol safe for the elderly?
Older adults often need a lower starting dose of atenolol because their bodies may not process it as well as younger people's. Their kidneys, liver, or heart might not work as efficiently, and they may be taking other medications. Doctors should check kidney function carefully before starting atenolol. A smaller initial dose is often better, and blood pressure should be monitored closely. If kidney function is significantly reduced, the dose needs to be adjusted. Stopping atenolol suddenly can be dangerous, so it should always be done gradually to prevent chest pain or heart attack.
Is it safe to exercise while taking Atenolol?
It is generally safe to exercise while taking Atenolol. However, be cautious of lower heart rate or dizziness during intense physical activity, as Atenolol can reduce your heart rate and blood pressure. Always consult your doctor for guidance based on your specific health condition.
Is it safe to drink alcohol while taking Atenolol?
Drinking alcohol while taking Atenolol should be done cautiously, as alcohol can increase drowsiness or lower blood pressure, leading to dizziness or fainting.
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