Atenolol 50mg 500's

Atenolol general information

What is Atenolol used for?

Atenolol 50mg tablets are used to treat a variety of heart conditions including, control of hypertension (high blood pressure); prevention and management of angina (chest pain); reducing risk of heart complications following myocardial infarction (heart attack) and long-term prevention of further heart attacks after recovery; control of cardiac dysrhythmias (irregular heart beat or rhythm). Atenolol tablets 50mg work through a common mechanism in several different body systems to manage the condition and relieve symptoms by reducing heart rate (pulse), workload on the heart (force needed to pump) and oxygen demand by the heart, increasing blood flow and lowering blood pressure.

How does Atenolol work?

Atenolol 50mg tablets contain atenolol, which belongs to a group of medications called beta blockers. Atenolol in Atenolol tablets 50mg is a selective beta-receptor antagonist, which means that it blocks the action of chemicals like adrenaline (epinephrine) that are released by the adrenal glands in response to nerve stimulation (for example due to stress) and work via beta-receptors to increase heart rate and constrict (narrow) blood vessels, amongst many other actions. Beta-receptors are found in many tissues, particularly the heart, kidneys, vascular smooth muscle in blood vessel walls, lung, skeletal muscle and liver. Atenolol in Atenolol tablets 50mg works by blocking stimulation of beta-receptors by adrenaline, which slows the heart rate and dilates (widens) blood vessels. This lowers blood pressure and increases blood flow and oxygen to the heart, which in turn decreases demand by the heart for oxygen, reduces the amount of work the heart has to do and helps the heart beat more regularly. All short-term and long-term symptom relief due to taking Atenolol tablets 50mg, is based on blocking beta-receptors in the target tissue.

What does Atenolol contain?

Atenolol 50mg tablets contain atenolol a beta-blocker used to treat a variety of heart conditions. They also contain colloidal silicone dioxide, magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, sodium lauryl sulfate, sodium starch glycollate.

Treating high blood pressure (hypertension) with Atenolol

Atenolol tablets 50mg contain atenolol, a beta blocker or beta-receptor antagonist, that blocks the action of chemicals like adrenaline (epinephrine) released by the adrenal glands in response to nerve stimulation (for example due to stress). Adrenaline stimulates beta-receptors in blood vessel walls, causing blood vessels to constrict (narrow) which reduces blood flow and raises blood pressure. Atenolol tablets 50mg are used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and work by widening blood vessels, reducing heart rate and reducing the workload on the heart (force of contraction needed to pump blood). These actions lower blood pressure and help the heart to cope better, which reduces risk of cardiovascular disease due to high blood pressure.

Reducing heart rate with Atenolol

Atenolol tablets 50mg contain atenolol, a beta-blocker or beta-receptor antagonist that blocks the action of adrenaline (epinephrine) released by the adrenal glands in response to nerve stimulation, for example due to stress. Adrenaline stimulates beta-receptors in the heart muscle, which increases heart rate and the strength of muscular contraction in response to excitement/physical exertion. Atenolol tablets 50mg are used to reduce tachycardia (racing heart) and help stabilise dysrhythmias (irregular heart beat or rhythm). Atenolol tablets 50mg are also used for management of angina (chest pain) and long-term prevention of myocardial infarction (heart attack). Atenolol in Atenolol tablets 50mg works by widening blood vessels, reducing heart rate and reducing workload on the heart (force of contraction needed to pump blood). When the heart does not have to work as hard it requires less oxygen and the reduced workload relieves symptoms of angina, such as breathlessness on exertion.

What are the side effects of Atenolol?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Atenolol tablets 50mg include: dry mouth, gastrointestinal disturbance including indigestion, constipation, nausea, diarrhoea, abdominal pain, fatigue, dizziness; bronchospasm, wheezing.

When should Atenolol not be used?

You should not use Atenolol tablets 50mg if you:

• are allergic to atenolol or any other ingredients in Atenolol
• have a history of bronchial asthma or bronchospasm; or allergic problems, including hayfever, that may predispose to bronchospasm
• have, poor peripheral blood circulation, uncontrolled heart failure, low blood pressure (hypotension), metabolic acidosis (too much acid in your blood) or a certain type of angina called Prinzmetal's angina
• have a phaeochromocytoma (a rare tumour of the adrenal gland) which is not already being treated with other medicines
• have certain other heart problems
• are diabetic and taking hypoglycaemic therapy as atenolol may prolong the hypoglycaemic response to insulin
• are taking medication that may interact with Atenolol, including: other medicines for high blood pressure; angina or an irregular heart beat or other heart conditions such as calcium the channel blockers diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine, also amiodarone clonidine, hydralazine, the anti-arrhythmic disopyramide, adrenaline for emergencies like anaphylaxis; antiinflammatories like ibuprofen or indomethacin; Insulin and other medications used to treat diabetes

What medications interact with Atenolol?

Several medications interact with Atenolol and should either not be taken while you are taking product name or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that may cause a serious reaction with product name: calcium the channel blockers diltiazem, verapamil and nifedipine, the anti-arrhythmic disopyramide, other medicines for high blood pressure like clonidine
• Drugs that affect Atenolol: adrenaline for emergencies like anaphylaxis, antiinflammatories like ibuprofen or indomethacin

How should Atenolol be taken?

You should take your Atenolol tablets 50mg with a glass of water, with or without food, usually once daily. The dose you take and how often depends on the condition you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation. It usually takes 1-2 weeks for Atenolol tablets 50mg to take effect and you should continue to take your Atenolol tablets 50mg for as long as your doctor recommends. You must take your tablets every day, as instructed; withdrawal should be gradual and treatment should not be discontinued abruptly.

How long should you take Atenolol?

You should continue to take your Atenolol tablets 50mg for as long as your doctor recommends. You must take your tablets every day, as instructed; withdrawal should be gradual and treatment should not be discontinued abruptly.

Missed dose of Atenolol

If you miss a dose of Atenolol tablets 50mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose. Do not take a double dose.

How should Atenolol be stored?

You should store your Atenolol tablets 50mg below 25°C, protected from light and moisture.