Atenolol Side Effects

Atenolol is a beta-blocking drug introduced in 1976 and prescribed
primarily for cardiovascular diseases. Atenolol is also known by the
trade name Tenormin.

Atenolol
side effects are milder than those of its predecessor, propranolol,
which readily crosses the blood-brain barrier, frequently causing
depression and distressing nightmares. Atenolol was formulated with the
blood-brain barrier issue in mind and it is designed specifically to
prevent this interaction with brain function.

One of the more
disturbing of the atenolol side effects is the increased risk its use
brings in developing type 2 diabetes. This increased risk for inducing
type 2 diabetes was found to be unacceptable in the United Kingdom. As
a result the drug was downgraded in 2006 from a first-line treatment
for hypertension and is now a less-frequently prescribed fourth-line
medication.

Diabetics should be forewarned that beta blockers
are known to blunt the nervous system’s response to hypoglycemia,
masking the typical symptoms of tachycardia, sweating, and agitation
which are the classic warning signs when blood sugar levels have
dropped dangerously low.

Patients undergoing treatment for
congestive heart failure should be aware of the atenolol side effects
on the heart muscle. The drug is known to reduce the muscular strength
of the heart, which can lead to serious complications.

When
atenolol is prescribed for patients with congestive heart failure, it
is best to start with the lowest dose possible and offset the
muscle-weakening effects of the atenolol by taking additional
medications that strengthen the heart or relieve other symptoms of
congestive heart failure.

The beta-blocking activity of the
drug can lead to atenolol side effects that affect the respiratory
system. Dangerous bronchospastic reactions can occur when high doses
are prescribed and extreme caution is advised when a history of asthma
is present.

Unlike many prescription medications, including
most of the entire class of beta blockers, atenolol side effects do not
include a toxic accumulation of the drug in the liver. Atenolol is
eliminated by the kidneys instead of the liver, making it an attractive
option for patients suffering from diseases of the liver.

Med-Help is for informational purposes and should not be considered medical advice, diagnosis or treatment recommendations.