Atenolol

Molecule Description

Atenolol belongs to a class of medicines known as beta-blockers.

Uses

Contraindications

Side effects

Precautions and Warnings

Uses of Atenolol

Atenolol is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)
Treats uneven heartbeats (arrhythmias)
Help prevent chest pain characterized by a painful feeling of tightness in the chest (angina pectoris)
Protects the heart in the early treatment after a heart attack (myocardial infarction)

Contraindications of Atenolol

When should one not use Atenolol

Have severe liver disease
Have asthma
Have neuropsychiatric disorders
Have allergic reactions
Have an adrenal tumor (pheochromocytoma) that is not treated
Have levels of acid in your blood (metabolic acidosis)

Side effects of Atenolol

Common side effects of this drug are:

Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fatigue
Diarrhea
Nausea
Cold hands and feet
Can cause certain neuropsychological disturbances like unusual dreams, loss of control over body movements, sleeplessness, depression, and vision problem
Serious side effects include worsening of heart failure and excessive slowing of heart rate
It can even worsen diabetes
In a few cases, there are reports about sexual dysfunction

Precautions and Warnings of Atenolol

Pregnancy

Can I take Atenolol during pregnancy?

Atenolol is known to have severe effects on the fetus as it crosses the placenta and reaches cord blood. Many complications ranging from growth retardation, malformations to fetal death, are reported. Hence, your doctor will prescribe it only if its benefit outweighs risk during pregnancy.

Breast Feeding

Can I take Atenolol while breastfeeding?

Atenolol excretes into the mother’s milk. Hence, it is not safe during breastfeeding.

Driving

Can I drive if I have consumed Atenolol?

Does not affect your ability to drive, but If you feel dizzy or tired when taking Atenolol, do not drive.

Alcohol

Can I consume alcohol with Atenolol?

Alcohol might cause your blood pressure level to drop too low. You should avoid or limit your alcohol intake while taking Atenolol.

Other General Warnings

Talk to your doctor if

Be cautious if you have diabetes, Atenolol may cause low blood sugar levels and also change the body’s response to low blood sugar. You may experience warning signs of low blood sugar like an increase...
Read more
You have asthma or any other similar breathing problems
You have a type of chest pain (Prinz Metal’s Angina)
You have poor blood circulation
Your medication may change how you respond to having low blood sugar
Rapid heartbeats
You have thyrotoxicosis (a condition caused by an overactive thyroid gland)
You have kidney or liver disease

Mode of Action of Atenolol

How Does It Work?

Atenolol is a beta-blocker. It works by decreasing the heart rate, blood pressure and strain on the heart.

Interactions of Atenolol

Interactions with other medicines

Many medicines are known to interact with Atenolol. Hence, any medication which patient is taking has to be reported to the physician
Digoxin and calcium channel blockers (Verapamil, Diltiazem, and Nifedipine) can further decrease the heart rate
Antihypertensive like Prazosin and Clonidine can lead to very low blood pressure when combined with Atenolol

Interactions with food items

Take Atenolol with a meal or right after a meal.

Dosage of Atenolol

Overdose

You must strictly avoid overdose, as it may lead to fatal consequences. The immediate symptoms of overdose are lethargy, breathing disorders, wheezing (whistle-like sound from the chest), missing hear...

Missed a Dose

Atenolol excretes into mother’s milk. Hence, it is not safe during lactation. Again, your doctor will prescribe it only if its benefit outweighs risk during the lactation period. The infant needs clos...

Q: Can I stop taking Atenolol?

A: Don’t suddenly end taking a beta-blocker without talking to your doctor. If you stop a beta-blocker suddenly, you can suffer from chest pain, irregular heartbeat, or heart attack. Your doctor may tell you to decrease your dose gradually.

Q: What special precautions should I follow?

A: If you experience any symptoms of dizziness, syncope, vision problems, sexual dysfunction, slow heart rate, etc., report it to the doctor immediately. So that the doctor can adjust your dose depending on your blood pressure, heart rate, level of the medicine in our serum, and other essential factors.

References

View All

Last Updated on: 05 Oct 2020 | 10:47 PM (IST)

Share This With Your Friends

Recent articles

See All

High Cholesterol Diet – Foods to Eat & Avoid!

Introduction Heart disease is the primary cause of deaths around the world. Having too much cholesterol can lead to severe cardiac issues. Thankfully, you can control and reduce the cholesterol levels by watching what you eat, i.e. the right cholesterol foods. Everything that you ingest has an impact on your cholesterol levels. Here is our

Your Ultimate Guide To A Balanced Diet For Diabetes

Introduction Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus is a chronic metabolic disorder affecting more than 100 million people in India. Diabetes occurs either due to insufficient insulin production, insulin resistance, or both which results in high levels of glucose in blood. Managing diabetes is crucial because uncontrolled diabetes can have serious complications like vision loss, kidney failure,

Benefits of Figs Soaked in Water Overnight: Exploring Nutritional Advantages

Key Highlights: Introduction Figs are versatile and scrumptious fruit that has been revered for its proposed nutritional benefits since ancient times. This little fruit, filled with a burst of sweetness, is a powerhouse of essential nutrients that may enhance your well-being. When soaked in water overnight, figs can make a valuable addition to your daily

Is Dry Ice Dangerous?

Introduction: Recently, dry ice has been in the news due to an unfortunate incident that occurred at a cafe in Gurugram, Haryana. Five diners unwittingly consumed dry ice, mistaking it for mouth freshener. As per news reports, the diners suffered serious injuries to their food pipe and oral cavity after accidentally ingesting the dry ice.

Bubonic Plague Reported: Are We In Danger?

Bubonic plague, which became notorious during the 14th Century in Europe and swept through India from the 1890s to 1910s, is caused by bacteria called Yersinia pestis. Contrary to popular belief, this plague isn’t caused by rat bites. The cause of bubonic plague is the bite of infected fleas. These fleas live in the hairs

Simple and Effective Skin Care Routine

Introduction Healthy skin is indicative of the quality of diet and lifestyle one follows. The largest organ of the human body and often overlooked, the skin acts as a barrier and prevents the external components from entering the inside of the body. This entails that, at times, it is exposed to critically harsh conditions, and

Disclaimer

The information provided herein is supplied to the best of our abilities to make it accurate and reliable as it is published after a review by a team of professionals. This information is solely intended to provide a general overview on the product and must be used for informational purposes only. You should not use the information provided herein to diagnose, prevent, or cure a health problem. Nothing contained on this page is intended to create a doctor-patient relationship, replace or be a substitute for a registered medical practitioner's medical treatment/advice or consultation. The absence of any information or warning to any medicine shall not be considered and assumed as an implied assurance. We highly recommend that you consult your registered medical practitioner for all queries or doubts related to your medical condition. You hereby agree that you shall not make any health or medical-related decision based in whole or in part on anything contained in the Site. Please click here for detailed T&C.