Generic Atenolol

Common use

Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent. Its role is to blocks the effects of adrenergic drugs, such as adrenaline or epinephrine, on nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. Atenolol reduces the heart rate and used it treatment of abnormally rapid heart rhythms, arterial hypertension, angina, acute myocardial infraction, tachycardia (different types), ventricular fibrillation and others.



Dosage and direction

Take Atenolol before meals or at bedtime. Your dose depends on your condition and should be administered by your doctor. Take the medication exactly as prescribed. Do not change the dose and do not stop suddenly treatment even if you feel better as hypertension often has no symptoms. Avoid drinking alcohol. Let your surgeon know if you are taking Atenolol if you plan to be operated.



Precautions

Do not take Atenolol if it was not Atenolol should be taken with a glass of water once a day at the same time. Do not stop taking the medication suddenly as it may worsen your condition. Continue to take the medication even if you feel fine as hypertension and diseases of a heart maybe a life long illness. Inform your surgeon if you take Atenolol, if you need to be operated.



Contraindications

Hypersensitivity, sick sinus syndrome, sinus bradycardia (rate slower than 50 per minute), atrioventricular block (degree II and III), arterial hypotension, acute or chronic heart failure, peripheral blood flow disorders, breastfeeding. Cautiousness should be exercised in patients with diabetes, hypopotassemia, pulmonary emphysema, asthma, liver and kidney diseases pregnancy and with other conditions.



Possible side effect

Side effects are rare and transient if occur. They may include weakness, fatigue, dizziness, headache, depression, dreaming, insomnia, memory loss, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, constipation, nausea, fever, impotence, lightheadedness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure, numbness, tingling, cold extremities, and sore throat and also allergy.



Drug interaction

Atenolol can aggravate conditions of patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema. In patients with existing slow heart rates and heart blocks Atenolol can slow heart rates considerably. Atenolol reduces the force of heart muscle contraction and worsens conditions of patients with heart failure. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, estrogens, sympathomimetics, xanthines weaken hypotensive effect of Atenolol.



Missed dose

Never take a double dose of this medication. If it is almost time of the next dose just skip the missed portion and continue to take the medicine according to the schedule.



Overdose

Symptoms of a overdose are uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath, dizziness, weakness, fainting, bluish-colored fingernails, convulsions. If you experience this call your doctor immediately.



Storage

Tablets should be stored at room temperature between 25-25 C (68-70 F) away from light and moisture.



Disclaimer

We provide only general information about medications which does not cover all directions, possible drug integrations, or precautions. Information at the site cannot be used for self-treatment and self-diagnosis. Any specific instructions for a particular patient should be agreed with your health care adviser or doctor in charge of the case. We disclaim reliability of this information and mistakes it could contain. We are not responsible for any direct, indirect, special or other indirect damage as a result of any use of the information on this site and also for consequences of self-treatment..

Clinical Verification

Last Clinically Updated: August 15, 2026

Written By

Dr. Elena Vance, PharmD

Clinical Specialist in Neuropharmacology

Fact Checked By

Marcus Thorne, MS

Biomedical Data & FDA Label Verification

Medically Reviewed By

Dr. Arthur Campbell, MD

Board-Certified Psychiatrist (ABPN)