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Medicine Highlights
| Uses | 1- To treat high blood pressure 2- To treat Angina pectoris 3- To prevent heart attack |
| Common Side Effects | 1- Blurred vision 2- Chest tightness 3- Cold hands or feet 4- Confusion 5- Difficult or labored breathing |
| Additional Information | Avoid taking alcohol or tobacco with this medicine. |
| Storage | 1- The medicine should be stored at room temperature 2- Keep away from sunlight and moisture 3- Keep away from the reach of children |
| How to Take This Medicine | The medicine should be taken orally |
Atenolol Summary
Atenolol 50 mg is a beta-blocker used to treat high blood pressure, chest pain, and heart attacks. It works by reducing heart rate and relaxing blood vessels, helping to lower blood pressure. While effective, it can cause side effects like dizziness, fatigue, and cold extremities. People with asthma, diabetes, or thyroid issues need to be cautious, and it’s important to follow the doctor’s instructions on dosage. Along with medication, lifestyle changes are key in managing blood pressure. Losing weight, staying active, eating heart-healthy foods, limiting alcohol, quitting smoking, and getting enough sleep can all make a big difference. By combining these habits with atenolol, many people can better control their blood pressure and lead healthier lives.
Atenolol Uses
Atenolol 50 mg is an oral medicine belonging to the class of selective beta- blocker medicines. It is used for following indications:
- High blood pressure (Hypertension)
- Chest pain (Angina pectoris)
- Heart attack (Myocardial infarction)
Directions for use
- Take atenolol 50 mg exactly as prescribed by your doctor, consistently at the same time each day.
- Do not stop taking atenolol without your doctor’s approval, even if you feel better.
- If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember, unless it’s close to your next dose-then skip the missed one.
Atenolol side effects
More Common
- Blurred vision
- Chest tightness
- Cold hands or feet
- Confusion
- Difficult or labored breathing
- Dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
- Sweating
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
Less common
- Anxiety
- Chest pain or discomfort
- Chills
- Cold sweats
- Cough
- Dizziness or lightheadedness
- Fainting
- Fast heartbeat
- Leg pain
- Noisy breathing
- Slow or irregular heartbeat
How Atenolol works
Atenolol lowers blood pressure by blocking a receptor in blood vessels called the beta-1 receptor. By blocking this receptor, chemicals like norepinephrine, epinephrine, and isoproterenol, which cause blood vessel contraction and increase blood pressure, are unable to bind to it. Additionally, by blocking beta-1 receptors in the heart, atenolol reduces heart rate and the force of heart contractions, further helping to lower blood pressure.
Safety Measures and Warning
📌 1- Patients with asthma
Patients with asthma should inform their doctor about their condition before being prescribed this medicine, as it may worsen the disease.
📌 2- Patients with diabetes
This medicine can mask the symptoms of diabetes. Therefore, inform your doctor about your condition.
📌 3- Thyroid dysfunction
Atenolol may mask the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis, which can be harmful to patients with thyroid dysfunction.
📌 4- Pregnancy
Atenolol can harm the fetus and may cause abnormal growth. If you are pregnant or planning to conceive, inform your doctor.
📌 5- Breastfeeding
Atenolol is found in the breast milk of lactating mothers, which can be harmful to the baby. Consult your doctor before using this medicine while breastfeeding.
Atenolol Interaction with other Medicines
Avoid taking atenolol 50 mg with the following medicines, as it may increase or decrease the desired effect, or in worse cases, it could be fatal:
Atenolol Interaction with Food Products
Atenolol does not interact with any food products, but alcohol should be avoided before and after taking the medicine, as it can increase or decrease the effect of atenolol.
Storage
- The medicine should be stored at room temperature
- Keep away from sunlight and moisture
- Keep away from the reach of children
Atenolol Chemical Structure
IUPAC (International Union of Pure and Applied Chemistry)/ Chemical name
(RS)-2-{4-[2-Hydroxy-3-(propan-2-ylamino)propoxy]phenyl}acetamide
Intake routine/cycle
📌 Daily Dose
Take atenolol exactly as your doctor recommends. The dose may change based on your condition and how well you respond. Do not take more than prescribed without consulting your doctor.
📌 Missed Dose
If you forget to take your medicine, take the medication soon as you remember. If it’s nearly time for your next dose, skip the missed one and continue with your regular schedule. Always consult the doctor before making any changes to your dosage.
📌 Overdose
Though the actual toxic dose of atenolol is not known but the symptoms of overdose include low heart rate, fatigue, low blood pressure, decrease in body temperature, and seizures.
Dietary and Lifestyle Management
A few modifications in your diet and lifestyle can significantly help manage your blood pressure, to the point where your doctor may determine that medication is no longer necessary. Here are some dietary changes and lifestyle practices that can help you manage your blood pressure:
Lose Weight
Weight gain is directly linked to higher blood pressure. If you’re overweight or obese, losing weight can help lower your blood pressure. Pay attention to the weight around your waistline as well, excess weight in this area can be a significant risk factor for high blood pressure.
Regular Exercise
Exercise can lower your blood pressure by 5 to 8 mm Hg. Engaging in 30 minutes of physical activity daily can significantly help reduce your blood pressure. Activities like walking, jogging, cycling, swimming, and dancing are all effective in keeping your blood pressure under control.
Eat Healthy
Choosing a healthy diet not only helps lower your blood pressure but also offers numerous other health benefits. Incorporate the following foods into your diet to help reduce your blood pressure:
Quit or Limit Alcohol Consumption
The kidney is responsible for maintaining the salt and water balance in our body and producing a hormone called renin, which helps regulate blood pressure. Alcohol damages the kidneys, disrupting their normal functioning. To protect your health, it is best to quit alcohol or, at the very least, limit your intake.
Quit Smoking
Cigarettes contain nicotine, an addictive substance that causes blood vessels to constrict, leading to an increase in blood pressure. If you have high blood pressure, it’s crucial to avoid smoking to protect your heart and overall health.
Increase Your Sleep Duration
Lack of sleep forces your heart to work harder, causing your blood vessels to constrict, which can lead to high blood pressure. Aiming for 7 to 8 hours of sleep is ideal for those with elevated blood pressure.
FAQ’s
1. Why was atenolol taken off the market?
➡️ In October 2013, the batch of atenolol 50 mg manufactured by Vivek Pharmachem Ltd, was recalled from the market because it was found to be substandard.
2. Which is better atenolol or amlodipine?
➡️ A study conducted on 125 patients with hypertension divided them into two groups, one with 43 patients and the other with 41 patients. The study found that both amlodipine and atenolol had similar effects on hypertension and were well tolerated by the patients.
3. Which is better, atenolol or telmisartan?
➡️ A study conducted on 533 patients, divided into two groups- one group of 346 patients with hypertension who received telmisartan and another group of 174 patients who received atenolol- found that telmisartan was more effective than atenolol.
4. Is atenolol still available?
➡️ Yes, atenolol is still available in the market. You can get tested atenolol at up to 80% lower prices.
5. Can atenolol cause constipation?
➡️ Yes, constipation is a possible side effect of atenolol.
Reference
- The New Indian Express. Sale of substandard medicines banned. The New Indian Express. 2012 Dec 13 [cited 2024 Dec 21]. Available from.
- Frishman WH, Brobyn R, Brown RD, Johnson BF, Reeves RL, Wombolt DG. Amlodipine versus atenolol in essential hypertension. Am J Cardiol. 1994 Jan 27;73(3):50A-54A. doi: 10.1016/0002-9149(94)90275-5. PMID: 8310977. Available from.
- Freytag F, Schelling A, Meinicke T, Deichsel G; Telmisartan Hypertension Experience in a Randomized European Study Versus Atenolol Study Group. Comparison of 26-week efficacy and tolerability of telmisartan and atenolol, in combination with hydrochlorothiazide as required, in the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension: a randomized, multicenter study. Clin Ther. 2001 Jan;23(1):108-23. doi: 10.1016/s0149-2918(01)80034-5. PMID: 11219471. Available from.
- Mayo Clinic. Atenolol (Oral route) [Internet]. Rochester (MN): Mayo Foundation for Medical Education and Research; [cited 2025 Apr 26]. Available from.
- Rehman B, Sanchez DP, Patel P, et al. Atenolol. [Updated 2024 Mar 1]. In: StatPearls [Internet]. Treasure Island (FL): StatPearls Publishing; 2025 Jan-. Available from.