Side Effects Center -

Atenolol is a beta-blocker medication that was introduced in 1976 primarily to replace propranolol, another beta-blocker, in the treatment of hypertension. The need to replace propranolol was necessitated by the fact that propranolol passes through the blood-brain barrier, causing various central nervous system side effects. On its part, Atenolol does not pass through the barrier, leaving the central nervous system free of any side effects. Although Atenolol medication became the first line of treatment drug for hypertension treatment in many jurisdictions around the world, the use of beta-blockers in general has been downgraded in some jurisdictions due to their risk of causing type-2 diabetes. However, Atenolol is still the drug of choice in the treatment of hypertension in many developing countries.

Disease/Condition

Atenolol is indicated for the treatment of varied other conditions apart from hypertension. It is very effective in the treatment of such conditions as angina (chest pain), congestive heart failure, migraine headache, alcohol withdrawal symptoms and ventricular tachycardia amongst other conditions. It is a common practice for doctors to prescribe a combination of treatments while treating arterial hypertension. This is usually when Atenolol on its own fails to control hypertension. It is normally used in combination with a vasodilator, ACE inhibitor or Angiotensin II receptor.

Side effects

Although Atenolol side effects do not extend to the central nervous system such as depression and nightmares, it produces others in other areas of the body. Such include:

• Atenolol carries a high risk of causing type-2 diabetes. This has made some health authorities in certain jurisdictions to downgrade it as the drug of choice in the treatment of hypertension.
• As with other beta-blockers, Atenolol decreases the nervous system response to sweating and agitation amongst others, presenting the risk of masking low blood pressure, which can cause other health complications.
• Other common side effects include indigestion, constipation, dry mouth, dizziness, hair loss, impotence, fatigue, insomnia, hallucinations, low blood pressure, skin rashes, loss of balance, impaired hearing and speech.

While common Atenolol side effects fade away after discontinuation, the serious side effects require immediate medical attention to forestall further health complications that can occur.

Atenolol dosage

Generally, Atenolol is a prescription only medication administered to hospitalized patients. Dosage is normally dependent on a patient’s hypertension condition, age and general body health. It is available in dosages of between 25mg and 100 mg tablets. Although hypertension patients who receive the medication are usually under observation, overdose cases do occur. Overdose symptoms include severe hypotension accompanied with shock, acute heart failure and bronchospatic reactions. In most cases, doctors prescribe Activated charcoal to absorb the medication from the blood stream.

Although Atenolol is very effective in treating or managing hypertension and related health conditions, its use is prohibited in particular people. Such include those with pulse rate less than 50 bpm, those with cardiogenic shock, asthmatic and those with arterial circulation disorder. One of serious Atenolol side effects is the retardation of fetal growth and for this reason; it is not suitable for use by pregnant women.