Atenolol: Side Effects, Uses & Monitoring
Facts extracted from current FDA product labeling for Atenolol. Educational only — not medical advice.
Reported adverse reactions
| Reaction | Highest frequency reported* |
|---|---|
| Hypotension/bradycardia | 1168% |
| Cardiac failure | 233% |
| Heart block (> first degree) | 143% |
| Hypotension | 60% |
| Heart failure | 56% |
| Ventricular tachycardia | 52% |
| Supraventricular tachycardia | 45% |
| Atrial fibrillation | 29% |
| Axis deviation | 28% |
| Cardiac arrest | 28% |
| Tiredness | 26% |
| Arrhythmias | 22% |
| Total cardiac arrests | 16% |
| Deaths | 16% |
| Dizziness | 13% |
| Cold extremities | 12% |
| Depression | 12% |
| Nonfatal cardiac arrests | 12% |
| Heart block | 11% |
| Atrial flutter | 7% |
*Highest percentage across placebo-controlled trial tables summarized in current labeling.
Labeled uses
Hypertension Atenolol tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure. Lowering blood pressure lowers the risk of fatal and non-fatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions. These benefits have been seen in controlled trials of antihypertensive drugs from a wide variety of pharmacologic classes including atenolol. Control of high blood pressure should be part of comprehensive cardiovascular risk management, including, as appropriate, lipid control, diabetes management, antithrombotic therapy, smoking cessation, exercise, and limited sodium intake. Many patients will require more than 1 drug to achieve blood pressure goals. For specific advice on goals and management, see published guidelines, such as those of the National High Blood Pressure Education Program's Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (JNC). Numerous antihypertensive drugs, from a variety of pharmacologic classes and with different mechanisms of action, have been shown in randomized controlled trials to reduce cardiovascular morbidity and mortality, and it can be concluded that it is blood pressu…
Medical disclaimer: Always consult a qualified healthcare professional about any medication.