Get Informed: Atenolol
Active Ingredient(s)
Atenolol
What does it do?
This product is used for the treatment of high blood pressure, and is also used in the management of patients with a history of angina or heart attack. It works by blocking 'beta' receptors that play an important role in regulating cardiovascular function.
- Last Text Update:
- 2010-Mar-20 11:37 AM
- Last Data Update:
- 2010-Mar-19 9:03 PM
Other Names
- Atenolol
- Tenormin
- Totamol
- Atenix
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
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- Average Risk Rating
-
- Pregnancy Category:
- D
Black Box Warning
This product has a black box warning relating to its potential dangers if treatment is suddenly stopped.
Facts & Figures
- Date Approved
- 19 Aug 1981
- Est US Patients*
- 4,500,000
- Generic Available
- Yes
- OTC Available
- No
User Age Distribution*
< 21
21-39
40-59
60+
Age (Years)
* Estimated number of US people currently taking Atenolol or its active ingredient based on population adjusted patient numbers registered with iGuard.org.
Atenolol Safety Report
Learn more about iGuard's risk ratings
- Please login or register (it's free) so iGuard can check how Atenolol interacts with other drugs and diseases in your profile.
What is Atenolol used for?
iGuard is currently tracking more than 29,900 patients that use Atenolol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)). Use the table below to learn why iGuard users take this product; click on any underlined condition to get information on other medications used for treatment.
| Disease / Condition | % | Average Severity |
|---|---|---|
| High Blood Pressure | 81% | 
|
| Atrial Fibrillation | 18% |
|
| Heart Disease/Stroke Prevention | 10% | 
|
| Heart Valve Problems | 7% |
|
| Migraine/Headache | 4% |
|
| Other | 2% |
|
How well does Atenolol work?
iGuard regularly polls our more than 29,900 users taking Atenolol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) using the Treatment Satisfaction Questionnaire for Medications (TSQM) . This feedback is continuously updated in tables below for the benefit of the iGuard community. To request scores for specific patient subgroups, please contact research@iguard.org.
Average Satisfaction Score
(out of 10)
Average Effectiveness Score
(out of 10)
- 83%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Atenolol outweigh the bad things.
- 8%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Atenolol.
Common Side Effects of Atenolol
iGuard regularly polls our more than 29,900 users taking Atenolol (or similar drugs with the same active ingredient(s)) to monitor the development and frequency of side-effects. This feedback is continuously updated in tables and graphs below for the benefit of the iGuard community.
20% of patients experience side-effects on Atenolol
1% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Atenolol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Weight Gain
-
Drowsiness
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Cold Sensitivity, Diarrhea, Dryness, Grogginess/Confusion, Hair Loss, Headache, Hot Flashes, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Light Sensitivity, Loss of Libido, Muscle Pain/Cramps, Nausea/Vomiting, Numbness/Tingling, Postural Hypotension, Swelling/Edema, Tinnitus, Vision Changes
Global Patient Feedback for Atenolol ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
Is there a reason blood pressure varies from time of day higher in the afternoon than in the morning when you take the medication at the same time every day.
75 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-03-07 13:33:48
Question/Comment:
which high blood pressure med does not cause hair loss or diarreha?
66 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-25 11:41:13
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Diarrhea and hair loss is a reported side effect with several medications that reduce blood pressure. Cozaar has a small percent of hair loss reported, but diarrhea did occur. Furosemide does not seem to cause hair loss, but both constipation and diarrhea have been reported. Furosemide is generally well-tolerated. Hydrochlorothiazide does not seem to cause either hair loss or diarrhea. You need to discuss your options with your physician so that together you can review your medication history and current medical conditions because each blood pressure medication works differently and works on different aspects of the causes of blood pressure.
Posted: 2010-02-26 12:13:21
Question/Comment:
I take 50 mg daily with my HCTZ, both together have brought my BP down to AMAZING! Thats surprising because I'm on Effexor XR 225 mg and that is supposed to make my BP go up. My BP hasn't been this great since I was a kid. I have been on it for about 4+ years now.
36 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-16 23:12:30
Question/Comment:
I am a 46 year old female, put on 50 mg/daily of Atenolol in the early 1990s for high blood pressure. I was under severe stress at the time. Otherwise, I was healthy; slim, active. I have always been slim. Several years ago I was able to cut the dosage to 25 mg/daily. My blood pressure has been stable for years at 120/70. My primary care physician tested me last year and said I really don't need to be on it but to use it as a preventative measure. I'd like to be off of it entirely. Any advice?
45 year old Female – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-12 09:57:06
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Changing or eliminating your medication should only be done under the guidance of your physician. It seems to be a past recommendation from your doctor and should be discussed again since your conversation was over a year ago. If you decide to discontinue the atenolol be sure to follow and measure your blood pressure several times a day for the first week and report any problems to your treating doctor.
Posted: 2010-02-16 21:06:45
Question/Comment:
My 41 y.o. husband has taken 25 mg. atenolol for only six days. It was prescribed for him for Essential Tremor (familial). He takes it around 7:30 a.m. Since he began, he has started having headaches at the same time every day (around 5:00 p.m.). He went to the drug store today and took his blood pressure at around 6:15. It was higher than it's ever been. We wonder if it's from the Atenolol, and if the increased blood pressure is what is causing the headaches. He generally has a fast metabolism. I wonder if his body is metabolizing the 25 mg. by around 5:00 p.m. every day. He is also experiencing some ED, which has never happened before taking the med.
This is the only thing he takes, and it took him a long time to do so, because he doesn't like taking medications. We're going to see if half a dose works better. It does reduce his tremors, so he can keep his hands a little more steady, which is critical for his line of work.
41 year old Male – Source: iGuard United States
Posted: 2010-02-11 20:30:12
iGuard Answer/Reply:
Atenolol can cause headaches and impotence, so they both can be due to the medication. Reducing the dose is a good idea, provided that his doctor is aware of the dose change. You can also ask the doctor if your husband can take half of the dose twice per day, so that he would have coverage later in the day.
Posted: 2010-02-17 12:40:24
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318
Patient Comments about
Atenolol