Atenolol (By mouth)

a-TEN-oh-lol

Treats high blood pressure and chest pain. Also reduces the risk of death after a heart attack. This medicine is a beta-blocker.

Drug classes

Antianginal, Antiarrhythmic, Group II, Antihypertensive, Antimigraine, Cardiovascular Agent (About this – PubMed Health)

Uses

Uses of This Medicine

Atenolol is used alone or together with other medicines (such as hydrochlorothiazide) to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled .

Atenolol is also used to help prevent chest pain and to decrease the severity of heart attacks .

This medicine is a beta-blocker. It works by affecting the response to nerve impulses in certain parts of the body, like the heart. As a result, the heart beats slower and decreases the blood pressure. When the blood pressure is lowered, the amount of blood and oxygen is increased to the heart .

This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription .

Other uses (PubMed Health)

How To Use

Tablet

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach.

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.

Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Drugs and Foods to Avoid

Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.

Some medicines can affect how atenolol works. Tell your doctor if you are using amiodarone, clonidine, disopyramide, indomethacin, reserpine, verapamil, or diltiazem.

When Not To Use

This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to any other beta-blocker medicine or if you have certain heart problems. Ask your doctor about these heart problems.

Warnings

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have asthma, emphysema, bronchitis, kidney disease, pheochromocytoma, diabetes, or an overactive thyroid. Tell your doctor if you have a history of severe allergic reactions or if you are scheduled to have surgery. Tell your doctor if you have heart failure or had a heart attack.

It is not safe to take this medicine during pregnancy. It could harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant.

This medicine may raise or lower your blood sugar level, and it may cover up symptoms of very low blood sugar. If you have diabetes, report any blood sugar level changes to your doctor.

This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly. Your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose before you stop it completely.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

Possible side effects

Summary More details

Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:

Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing

Chest pain that may spread to your arms, jaw, back, or neck, trouble breathing, nausea, unusual sweating

Fainting or severe dizziness

Rapid weight gain, swelling in your hands, ankles, or feet

Shaking, trembling, sweating, hunger, confusion

Slow, fast, or irregular heartbeat

Unusual bleeding or bruising

Trouble breathing, cold sweat, bluish-colored skin

If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:

Cold hands and feet

Unusual tiredness or weakness

If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

More side effects of this drug

Brand names include

Tenormin

There may be other brand names for this medicine.