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GENERIC NAME:
atenolol
BRAND NAME:
Tenormin
DRUG CLASS AND
MECHANISM: Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic
blocking agent. Atenolol blocks the action of
the sympathetic nervous system, a portion of the
involuntary nervous system. The sympathetic
nervous system stimulates the pace of the heart
beat. By blocking the action of these nerves,
atenolol reduces the heart rate and is useful in
treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms.
Atenolol also reduces the force of heart muscle
contraction and lowers blood pressure. By
reducing the heart rate and the force of muscle contraction, atenolol
reduces heart muscle oxygen demand. Since
angina occurs
when oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply,
atenolol is helpful in treating angina.
PRESCRIPTION: yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE:
yes
PREPARATIONS:
Tablets: 25 mg, 50 mg, 100 mg.
STORAGE: Tablets
should be stored at room temperature in a
tightly closed container.
PRESCRIBED FOR:
Atenolol is prescribed for patients with high
blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used
to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) related to
coronary artery disease. Atenolol 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 and the treatment of
certain types of tremors (familial or hereditary
essential tremors).
DOSING: Should be
taken before meals or at bedtime.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:
Atenolol can aggravate 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. Calcium channel blockers, and digoxin
(Lanoxin) can cause lowering of blood pressure
and heart rate to dangerous levels when
administered together with atenolol. 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.
Atenolol can mask the early warning symptoms of
low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and should be
used with caution in patients receiving
treatment for diabetes. It is not habit forming.
PREGNANCY: Atenolol
may cause harm and growth retardation in the
fetus when given to pregnant women.
SIDE EFFECTS:
Atenolol is generally well tolerated, and side
effects are mild and transient. Rare side effects include
abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation,
fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, dreaming,
memory loss, fever, impotence, lightheadedness,
slow heart rate, low blood pressure,
numbness, tingling, cold extremities,
sore throat, and shortness of breath or
wheezing.
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