Medical Hex

Atenolol

1. What is atenolol?

  • Generic Name: Atenolol
  • Brand Name: Tenormin
  • Drug Class: β- Adrenoceptor blockers

Atenolol belongs to a group of drugs called beta blockers (beta adrenoceptor antagonists). Atenolol is a selective beta1 blocker and is less lipid-soluble which will cause fewer CNS effects than other β blocker agents that are more lipid-soluble and nonselective. It is used primarily in patients with hypertension, angina, and arrhythmias.

Atenolol can be used alone or in combination with other medications such as other beta blockers or diuretics, and it is available as the brand name: Apo-Atenol and Tenormin.

2. How dose atenolol work

Atenolol is a cardio-selective agent that bind more readily to β1-receptors than to β2-receptors located primarily in myocardium and block them, this will result in decreasing cardiac output, contractility and slowing heart rate. Its selectivity towards β1-receptors make it safer than nonselective β-blockers in patients with asthma, because they are less likely to provoke bronchospasm and vasoconstriction.

3. Atenolol Uses

What is atenolol used for?

Atenolol works by blocking the sympathetic effects on heart and blood pressure. It is mainly used to:

  • To treat hypertension (high blood pressure)
  • To treat uneven heart beat (arrhythmias)
  • Help prevent painful feeling of tightness in the chest (angina)
  • Protect the heart after a heart attack (myocardial infraction)

Atenolol is sometimes used to help patients with:

  • Migraine
  • Anxiety

4. Dosage forms and strength

Tablets

  • Atenolol 25 mg
  • Atenolol 50 mg
  • Atenolol 100 mg

Oral Solution

  • Atenolol 5mg/ 1mg

Solution for Injection

  • Atenolol 500 microgram/ 1ml

5. Indications & Dose per day

Hypertension

  • Adult: 25-50 mg daily (orally)

Angina

  • Adult: 100 mg daily (orally)

Arrhythmias

  • Adult: 50 –100 mg daily (orally)
  • Adult: 2.5 mg every 5 minutes ( by intravenous injection)
  • Adult: 150 micrograms/kg every 12 hours (by intravenous infusion)

Margarine

  • Adult: 50–200 mg daily ( orally, in divided doses)

6. Side effects of atenolol

Common side effects of atenolol include:

  • cold extremities
  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • dizziness
  • fatigue
  • headache
  • bradycardia

Rare side effects of atenolol may include:

  • Dry eyes
  • Hepatic disorders
  • Hypotension
  • Skin reactions
  • Depression
  • Atrioventricular block

Atenolol side effects (Detailed)

7. Interactions

Atenolol can interact with some other medications or herbs, and these substances may change the action of the drug or effect its effectiveness.

Interactions with drugs Atenolol can form drug-drug interactions with the following drug classes:

  • Calcium Channel blockers
  • NSAIDS (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs)
  • Cardiac glycosides (e.g. digoxin)
  • Antidiabetic drugs
  • Decongestants

8. Special precautions

If you have any of these conditions below, you should not take atenolol befor telling your doctor:

  • heart problems (e.g. Cardiogenic shock, sinus bradycardia, sinus node dysfunction)
  • Problems with your kidneys.
  • Diabetes
  • Asthma or bronchitis.
  • Taking other medicines.
  • Taking other medicines.

In Pregnancy and lactation
It is NOT recommended to use atenolol during Pregnancy and lactation because safety in pregnancy has not been approved, and the drug can pass into the breast milk.

In elderly
Atenolol can be used for old people there are no special problems. But reduced dose may be necessary particularly if there is impaired kidney function.

References

1. Kizior, R.J. and Hodgson, B.B. (2018). Saunders nursing drug handbook 2019. Philadelphia: Saunders.

2. British Medical Association (2015). British Medical Association new guide to medicine & drugs. London: Dorling Kindersley

3. Anthony Trevor, Bertram Katzung, Marieke Knuidering-Hall/ Katzung & Trevor’s Pharmacology Examination & Board Review/ 11th edition/ United States/ McGraw-Hill Education-Europe/ 2015

4. Barbara Wells, Joseph DiPiro, Terry Schwinghammer, Cecily DiPiro/ Pharmacotherapy Handbook/ 7th edition/ New York, United States/ McGraw-Hill Education – Europe/ 2011

5. Joint formulary committee, BNF 80 (The British National Formulary), 80th revised edition, Pharmaceutical Press, London, United Kingdom, [2020]

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