What Is Atenolol?

The medication atenolol is prescribed. It comes as a tablet that you swallow. Tenormin is a brand-name drug containing the generic medication atenolol. Generic drugs are usually less expensive than brand-name drugs. They may not always be available in the same formulation or strength as the brand-name drug.

 

Reasons For Using It

Using atenolol, one can:

  • Lower the high blood pressure.
  • Lower workload from your heart muscle in pumping blood to the rest of your body, thereby reducing post heart attack angina, which is chest pain.
  • It can aid in preventing heart attacks and other problems brought on by uncontrolled hypertension.

 

How It Functions?

Atenolol is one of the medicines called beta blockers. The drug class simply refers to a group of pharmaceutical drugs and/or other chemical compounds that have a similar effect on the body. Similar problems are frequently treated with these medications. Heart cells have beta receptors on them. Blood pressure and heart rate increase due to the stimulation of beta receptors by adrenaline.


Beta-blockers block adrenaline's actions on your heart and blood vessels' beta receptors. It results in the relaxation of blood vessels. Due to this relaxation of the arteries, blood pressure is lowered, and thus, chest pain is reduced. They also help bring down the oxygen requirement of the heart. Chest discomfort and blood pressure are not permanently altered by beta blockers. Rather, they aid in the treatment of the symptoms.

 

Side Effects Of Atenolol

Atenolol may make you feel sleepy. It may result in further adverse effects.

More Typical Side Effects

The following are some of the more typical atenolol adverse effects:

  • Chilly feet and hands
  • Constipation
  • Dizziness diarrhea
  • Headache
  • Decreased desire for sex or impotence
  • Breathing difficulties and unexplained fatigue
  • Leg ache
  • Reduced blood pressure compared to normal

Also, if these side effects are only in the minor category, they may go away in several days or weeks. If they worsen or don't disappear, see your doctor or pharmacist.

 

Serious Side Effects

If you have serious side effects, get help right away. Go to the nearest emergency room or call local emergency services right away if you think your symptoms are life-threatening or you are having a medical emergency. These can include the following serious side effects and their symptoms:

  • An allergic response. Among the symptoms are a big red rash, fever, the hands, feet, and ankles swollen, tongue or throat swelling, breathing difficulties
  • Depression. Among the symptoms are depressing or hopeless emotions, unease, fatigue, difficulty concentrating
  • unusual increase in weight. Among the symptoms are enlargement of the arms, ankles, or feet

 

Atenolol And Other Drugs May Interact

You may be taking additional prescription drugs, vitamins, or herbal remedies in addition to the atenolol oral tablet. When a chemical alters the way a drug functions, it is called an interaction. This may have negative effects or impair the medication's effectiveness. Your doctor should closely monitor all of your prescriptions to help prevent interactions. Inform your doctor about all the vitamins, herbs, and prescription drugs you are using. Consult your physician or pharmacist to see how this medication might interact with other medications that you are using. The following is a list of medications that may interact with atenolol.

 

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Medications For Mental Health

Atenolol may have additional effects if serpine and monamine oxidase inhibitors (MAOIs) are taken together. They might also make you feel dizzy or cause your heart rate to drop. After taking them, MAOIs and atenolol may still interact for up to 14 days. MAOI examples are isocarboxazid, selegiline, phenelzine, and tranylcypromine.


Medications For Cardiac Rhythm

Atenolol and several heart medications can cause your heart rate to drop too much. Among these medications are, for instance: Amiodarone, disopyramide, and digitalis.

 

Blockers Of Calcium Channels

Drugs like atenolol are prescribed to treat hypertension and other states of cardiac disease. They lower the contractions and even slow them down if taken with atenolol. Under strict supervision, doctors may occasionally utilize this combination. Among these medications are, for instance: amlodipine, verapamil, felodipine, isradipine, nicardipine, nifedipine nimodipine nisoldipine

Alpha Blockers

Blood pressure is lowered with alpha blockers. When taken in conjunction with atenolol, they could lower blood pressure excessively. Among these medications are, for instance: methyldopa, clonidine, and prazosin When coupled with atenolol, clonidine needs to be handled carefully. If atenolol is also taken, abruptly quitting the medication can result in a significant increase in blood pressure.

 

How Is The Medication To Be Taken?

Atenolol is available as an oral tablet. The drug is administered once a day to treat high blood pressure. It is given once or twice a day to increase the chances of survival after a heart attack. The atenolol medication should always be taken at the same time every day so that it becomes easy to remember. See the detailed instructions on the prescription label. Take atenolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more frequently than recommended by your doctor.


Probably your doctor will start prescribing you a low dose of atenolol and increase it gradually, so share your symptoms with your doctor during this period. This does not cure angina or high blood pressure, but atenolol controls their flow. You may need to wait one to two weeks before you start to feel the full benefits. Do not stop taking atenolol even if you feel fine. You must not stop taking Atenolol without consulting your doctor. Stopping atenolol abruptly can cause serious cardiac problems. Your doctor will probably need to wean you off of it gradually.

 

Important Things To Think About When Using Atenolol

In the event that your physician recommends atenolol for you, bear these things in mind.

Overall:

The pill can be broken or crushed.

Storage

This medication should be kept between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C) at room temperature.
Make sure the drug is stored in a light-resistant container with a tight closure. Keep it out of the wetness. This drug should not be kept in damp or moist spaces like bathrooms.

 

Self-Monitoring

Your doctor might urge you to monitor your blood pressure on a regular basis while taking atenolol because it can drop it. If you take atenolol and notice that your blood pressure readings are very high or low, notify your doctor.

Refills 

This drug is available with a refillable prescription. Refilling your prescription for this drug shouldn't require a new one. The amount of refills that are permitted will be noted by your doctor on your prescription.

 

Finally

Fatigue, low blood pressure, and dizziness are typical atenolol side effects. Diarrhea, nausea, and a slowing heartbeat are also possible. When using atenolol for the first time, some of these adverse effects are normal. However, they ought to go away in a few days or weeks. Inform your doctor if any of your adverse effects worsen or continue. It's possible that you need to switch medications or dosages. For information on the adverse effects of atenolol, your pharmacist might also be a valuable source.

 

Please book an appointment with the best Cardiologist in Lahore, Karachi, Islamabad, and all major cities of Pakistan through InstaCare, or call our helpline at 03171777509 to find the verified doctor for your disease.