Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Tenormin
- Beta-Blockers, Beta-1 Selective
Description
Beta-1-selective adrenergic antagonist; similar to metoprolol but atenolol has a longer plasma half-life; does not possess ISA or membrane-stabilizing activity; atenolol has the lowest lipid solubility within the class.
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of angina pectoris.
Contraindications
2°/3° heart block in patients without pacemaker
Cardiogenic shock
Sinus bradycardia
Sinus node dysfunction
Hypersensitivity
Uncompensated cardiac failure
Pulmonary edema
Adverse Effects
- Fatigue (13%)
- Hypotension (10%)
- Bradycardia (8%)
- Cold extremities (0.5- 7%)
- Postural hypotension (2-4%)
- Depression (3%)
- Nausea (2-3%)
- Dreaming (2%)
- Drowsiness (2%)
- Diarrhea (1-2%)
- Fatigue (1-2%)
- Leg pain (1-2%)
- Lethargy (1-2%)
- Lightheadedness (1-2%)
- Vertigo (1-2%)
- Dyspnea (0.4-2%)
- 2°/3° atrioventricular (AV) block (1%)
Warnings
Use with caution in anesthesia or surgery (myocardial depression), bronchospastic disease, cerebrovascular insufficiency, diabetes mellitus, hyperthyroidism or thyrotoxicosis, liver disease, renal impairment, peripheral vascular disease, compromised left ventricular function, advanced age, heart failure
May mask effects of hyperthyroidism
Risk of hypoglycemia and bradycardia in neonates born to mothers who receive the drug at parturition or while breastfeeding, especially in premature infants and those with renal impairment
Use with caution in patients taking calcium-channel blockers or cardiac glycosides or using inhaled anesthetics
Avoid abrupt withdrawal; sudden discontinuance can exacerbate angina and lead to MI
Increased risk of stroke after surgery
In patients receiving clonidine, atenolol should be discontinued several days before withdrawal of clonidine
May cause or exacerbate CNS depression (use with caution in patients with psychiatric illness)
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy category: D
Lactation: Drug enters breast milk; neonates born to mothers who are receiving atenolol at parturition or breastfeeding may be at risk for hypoglycemia and bradycardia; use with caution
Maximum Dosage
100 mg/day PO for hypertension; 100 mg/day PO for acute myocardial infarction or myocardial infarction prophylaxis; 200 mg/day PO for angina.
100 mg/day PO for hypertension; 100 mg/day PO for acute myocardial infarction or myocardial infarction prophylaxis; 200 mg/day PO for angina.
100 mg/day PO based on adult dosage guidelines.
2 mg/kg/day PO.
How supplied
Atenolol
tablet
- 25mg
- 50mg
- 100mg