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:
- 2009-Nov-20 6:21 PM
- Last Data Update:
- 2009-Nov-18 6:14 PM
Other Names
- Atenolol
- Tenormin
How Safe Is It?
- Your Risk Rating
- Please log in
- 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*
- 4,701,000
- 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.org is currently tracking more than 27,500 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 | 78% | 
|
| Atrial Fibrillation | 17% |
|
| Heart Disease Prevention | 5% |
|
| Heart Valve Problems | 5% |
|
| Migraine / Headache | 2% | 
|
| Heart / Vascular Disease Prevention | 2% |
|
| Other | 4% |
|
How well does Atenolol work?
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 27,500 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)
- 85%
- of patients are confident that the good things about Atenolol outweigh the bad things.
- 19%
- of patients wish they were told more before they started taking Atenolol.
Common Side Effects of Atenolol
iGuard.org regularly polls our more than 27,500 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.
34% of patients experience side-effects on Atenolol
2% of patients experience signifcant side-effects on Atenolol
Most Common Side Effects...
-
Fatigue
-
Dizziness
-
Drowsiness
-
Sexual Problems
-
= 10%
Less than 1%: Breathlessness, Bruising, Cold Sensitivity, Cough, Depression, Diarrhea, Dry Mouth, Dryness, Flushing, Frequent Urination, Hair Loss, Headache, High Cholesterol, Insomnia, Itch/Rash, Low Blood Pressure, Muscle Pain/Stiffness, Slow Heart Rate, Swelling/Edema, Weight Gain
Global Patient Feedback for Atenolol ( Post a comment )
Question/Comment:
I've been on Atenolol for about a year now, for High Bloodperasure, take it in morning. No side affects or problems. I'm on a lot of other pills for seveal cronic conditions, and I feel fine, better than I've felt in since I started taking meds for other conditions. I also exersize & try to eat right.
53 year old Male
Posted: 2009-11-04 19:59:04
Question/Comment:
I've been on 25mg. of Atenolol at night like most who seemed to avoid problems with dizziness and the like. As the days went by I began to have problems with sleeping, constant urination, feeling horribly fatigued and generally not well. As I approached the two week mark, headaches began. I simply felt terrible on this medication. I decided to stop it.
62 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-23 17:32:26
Question/Comment:
I would like to know if anyone is taking Altace and Atenolol together, I haven't seen that on this site. I been on both for 6 mths. and would like to know if anyone else is on these meds together...
66 year old Female
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-22 22:38:56
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
The only concern about using atenolol and Altace together is that they both lower blood pressure and may cause too low of a blood pressure, especially if the dosage of both drugs are increased at the same time. However, most doctors are aware of this and will slowly adjust your dose to reach the target blood pressure. In general, they each have a different mechanism of action and can be used effectively together for various medical conditions.
Posted: 2009-10-29 21:39:00
Answer/Reply:
Yes I have been on both for years. I need the Atenolol to keep my heartbeat regular and the Rampiril for the heart. Tried to go off atenolol and my heart would go into vibrations. Together I'm ok and I'm 55 yr old female
55 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-04 16:21:45
Answer/Reply:
Iwould also like to know if anyone else is taking altace and atenolol
together.
71 year old Female
Posted: 2009-11-18 15:07:23
Question/Comment:
my hair is barely there just covering some of my skalp. People used to look at me twice for my pretty hair.. dont know if it is atenolol or what is causing it to fall.
67 year old Female
Posted: 2009-10-15 20:10:41
iGuard.org Answer/Reply:
Approximately 1% of iGuard patients taking atenolol reported hair loss as a side effect. If the condition continues to worsen you should contact your doctor to discuss an alternate medication and/or eliminate other possible causes.
Posted: 2009-10-29 20:49:48
Question/Comment:
I am a 55 year old female and taking 25 mg tablets. for 4 1/2 years.i had no side effects that i know of with this medication. i can till you this it sure does help a lot when i have chest pain. thank you.
56 year old Female
Posted: 2009-09-25 19:41:25
You may post comments for the benefit of other patients or post questions other patients might be able to answer. Comments are submitted for possible publication on the condition that they may be edited. Only your age and gender will be published with your comment, although your other user details will be securely recorded for verification purposes.
Comments may be either questions or answers to previously posted questions. Any iGuard.org user may post questions and reply.
98
Patient Comments about
Atenolol