Atenolol (Atenolol) - Summary

ATENOLOL SUMMARY

Atenolol Tablets, USP

Atenolol, a synthetic, beta₁-selective (cardioselective) adrenoreceptor blocking agent, may be chemically described as Benzene-acetamide, 4-[2-hydroxy-3-[(1-methylethyl)amino]propoxy]-.

Hypertension

Atenolol tablets are indicated in the management of hypertension. They may be used alone or concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents, particularly with a thiazide-type diuretic.

Angina Pectoris Due to Coronary Atherosclerosis

Atenolol tablets are indicated for the long-term management of patients with angina pectoris.

Acute Myocardial Infarction

Atenolol tablets are indicated in the management of hemodynamically stable patients with definite or suspected acute myocardial infarction to reduce cardiovascular mortality. Treatment can be initiated as soon as the patient’s clinical condition allows. (See DOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION, CONTRAINDICATIONS, and WARNINGS.) In general, there is no basis for treating patients like those who were excluded from the ISIS-1 trial (blood pressure less than 100 mm Hg systolic, heart rate less than 50 bpm) or have other reasons to avoid beta blockade. As noted above, some subgroups (e.g., elderly patients with systolic blood pressure below 120 mm Hg) seemed less likely to benefit.

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NEWS HIGHLIGHTS

Published Studies Related to Atenolol

Identifying iatrogenic depression using confirmatory factor analysis of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale in patients prescribed a verapamil-sustained-release-led or atenolol-led hypertension treatment strategy. [2011.11.29]
BACKGROUND: beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers are highly effective medications indicated for treatment and prevention of hypertension. However, the literature regarding the potential depressive effects of beta-blockers and calcium channel blockers is equivocal regarding whether one or both are associated with depression. OBJECTIVES: To determine whether self-reported depressive symptoms of older persons with hypertension and coronary artery disease and who were randomly assigned to a verapamil-sustained-release-led (Ve-led) or atenolol-led (At-led) hypertension treatment strategy were similar using confirmatory factor analytical models of the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D)... CONCLUSIONS: The domains indicating less happiness and more depressive symptoms were most likely to be unfavorably impacted by the At-led treatment strategy. Given a choice between these equally effective high blood pressure treatment strategies, it may be prudent to use the Ve-led strategy. This is especially true if the risk of the occurrence of a mood-related side effect of the beta-blocker outweighs its other benefits in comparison. Copyright (c) 2011 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

[Study of the efficacy and safety of losartan versus atenolol for aortic dilation in patients with Marfan syndrome]. [2011.06]
INTRODUCTION AND OBJECTIVES: Marfan syndrome is an inherited disease of the connective tissue. Recent trials have indicated the use of losartan (a transforming growth factor beta inhibitor) in these patients prevents aortic root enlargement. The aim of our clinical trial is to assess the efficacy and safety of losartan versus atenolol in the prevention of progressive dilation of the aorta in patients with Marfan syndrome... CONCLUSIONS: Efficacy of losartan versus atenolol in the prevention of progressive dilation of the aorta, improved aortic distensibility, and prevention of adverse events (aortic dissection or rupture, cardiovascular surgery, or death) will be assessed in this study. It will also show the possible treatment benefits at different age ranges and with relation to the initial level of aortic root dilation. Copyright (c) 2011 Sociedad Espanola de Cardiologia. Published by Elsevier Espana. All rights reserved.

Comparison of the effects of ivabradine and atenolol on heart rate and echocardiographic variables of left heart function in healthy cats. [2011.05]
BACKGROUND: Ivabradine is a novel negative chronotropic drug used for treatment of ischemic heart disease in people. Little is known about its effects and safety in cats.Clinical studies in cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy are needed to validate these findings.

Effect of atenolol vs metoprolol succinate on vascular function in patients with hypertension. [2011.01]
BACKGROUND: We evaluated the effect of atenolol vs metoprolol succinate on vascular function in patients with essential hypertension. HYPOTHESIS: Given intrinsic differences between these agents, we hypothesized that atenolol and metoprolol succinate would have disparate effects on vascular function... CONCLUSIONS: Although atenolol and metoprolol succinate have similar effects on blood-pressure reduction, they have different effects on vascular function. Compared with metoprolol succinate, atenolol increases peripheral AIx. Neither drug has an effect on vascular endothelial function. These findings may have clinical implications, depending on the indication for treatment in an individual patient. (c) 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

beta(1)-Adrenergic receptor gene polymorphisms and the acute response to atenolol in healthy young Japanese subjects. [2011]
Polymorphisms at codons 49 and 389 of the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor gene have been shown to alter the receptor function in vitro, whereas it remains controversial whether they influence the response to beta-blocker in vivo. In the present study, we investigated whether these polymorphisms influence the acute changes of heart rate and blood pressure induced by the beta(1)-adrenergic receptor-selective blocker atenolol in healthy young Japanese...

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Clinical Trials Related to Atenolol

Effects of Losartan Versus Atenolol on Aortic and Cardiac Muscle Stiffness in Adults With Marfan Syndrome [Recruiting]
Marfan syndrome is an inherited connective tissue disorder with morbidity and mortality from aortic dilation and dissection. The degree of aortic dilation and response to beta-blockade (standard of care) vary in adults with Marfan syndrome. However, aortic stiffness is often present, and can be a predictor of aortic dilation and cardiovascular complications. In addition, adults with Marfan syndrome develop left ventricular diastolic dysfunction, which can progress to heart failure. Aortic stiffness and diastolic dysfunction are important and logical therapeutic targets in adults with Marfan syndrome.

TGF-beta mediates disease pathogenesis in Marfan syndrome and contributes to aortic stiffness. The angiotensin receptor blocker, losartan, inhibits TGF-beta activity and reverses aortic wall pathology in a Marfan mouse model. Losartan also decreases aortic stiffness and improves diastolic function in hypertension, renal disease and hypertrophic cardiomyopathy.

This trial is a randomized, double-blind trial of 50 adults with Marfan syndrome, treated with 6 months of atenolol vs. losartan. Arterial tonometry for aortic stiffness and echocardiography for diastolic function will be performed at the beginning and end of treatment. A blood draw for serum markers of extracellular matrix turnover and inflammation will also be performed at 0 and 6 months. We plan to determine whether losartan decreases aortic stiffness and left ventricular diastolic dysfunction significantly more than atenolol.

A Randomized Controlled Study to Assess the Effects of Bisoprolol and Atenolol on Resting Heart Rate and Sympathetic Nervous System's Activity in Subjects With Essential Hypertension [Recruiting]
This is a phase IV, prospective, multi-centric and randomized controlled study to compare the effects of bisoprolol and atenolol on resting heart rate (RHR) and sympathetic nervous system's (SNS) activity in subjects with essential hypertension. A total of 192 subjects are planned to be enrolled in various centers in China.

Study to Assess Efficacy of Nicorandil+Atenolol vs Atenolol in Treatment of Chronic Stable Angina. [Recruiting]

Evaluation of The Effects of Nebivolol in Comparison to Atenolol on Wall Shear Stress and Rupture Prone Coronary Plaques [Recruiting]
Nebivolol is a novel blood pressure lowering drug with an additional effect on the inner lining of blood vessels to release a compound called nitric oxide that can relax blood vessels. Atenolol is a blood pressure reducing agent without the ability to release nitric oxide and effect additional blood vessel relaxation.

The goal of this proposal is to compare Nebivolol and Atenolol with respect to the following parameters:

- Plaque within arteries supplying the heart in terms of its volume and composition as

assessed by ultrasound within these arteries.

- Ability of small arteries in the heart to open up and deliver an enhanced blood supply

in response to drug called Adenosine (routinely used in the cardiac catheterization laboratory) as assessed by pressure and flow detecting catheters within these arteries.

- Ability of the inner lining of arteries that supply the heart to release a relaxing

compound called nitric oxide in response to injection of Acetylcholine (also used in the cardiac catheterization laboratory) as assessed by squirting dye into these arteries

- Local forces that affect blood flow in the arteries supplying the heart as assessed by

superimposing the above data into complex maps created offline at Georgia Institute of Technology.

It is likely that Nebivolol causes the plaque within arteries supplying the heart to change from the 'vulnerable' type to the 'stable' type plaque. There are several features of "vulnerable plaques" that can be detected in arteries of the heart using intravascular ultrasound (a small ultrasound camera that goes in the arteries of the heart). The investigators hypothesis is that Nebivolol will prove superior to Atenolol in reducing 'vulnerable plaques', improve blood flow within the small arteries and the health of inner lining of these arteries at the 1 year time point. The investigators plan to enroll 20 patients into the study (26 patient including dropouts) who will be randomized in a 1: 1 manner to Nebivolol Vs Atenolol for 1 year and repeat evaluation at that time point.

Comparison Study of the Effect of Aliskiren Versus Negative Controls on Aortic Stiffness in Patients With Marfan Syndrome Under Treatment With Atenolol [Recruiting]
Marfan syndrome (MFS) is an inherited disorder of connective tissue with morbidity and mortality from aortic dilatation and dissection. The current standard of care is beta-blocker (BB) treatment and therapeutic target is heart rate. The degree of aortic dilatation and response to BB vary in adults with MFS. However, aortic stiffness is often present, and can be a predictor of aortic dilatation and cardiovascular complications. Aortic stiffness is a logical therapeutic target in adults with MFS.

Transforming growth factor beta(TGF-beta) mediates disease pathogenesis in MFS and contributes to aortic stiffness. Cross-talk between TGF-beta system and renin-angiotensin system (RAS) has been demonstrated. The angiotensin receptor blocker (ARB), losartan, inhibits TGF-beta activity and reverses aortic wall pathology in a Marfan mouse model. In a small cohort study, the use of ARB therapy (losartan or irbesartan) significantly slowed the rate of progressive aortic dilatation in patients with MFS, after BB therapy had failed to prevent aortic root dilatation. In another study, angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, perindopril, reduced both aortic stiffness and aortic root diameter in patients with MFS taking standard BB therapy. Renin inhibitor, aliskiren, has not been studied to reduce aortic stiffness and attenuate aortic dilatation in patients with MFS.

This trial is a randomized, open-label trial of 32 patients with Marfan syndrome, treated with 6 months of aliskiren vs. negative controls in patients with MFS under atenolol treatment. MRI for aortic pulsed wave velocity (PWV) and distensibility, measurements of central BP (CBP) and augmentation index (AIx) will be performed at the beginning and end of treatment. A blood drawn for serum markers of TGF-beta, extracellular matrix turnover and inflammation will also be performed at 0 and 6 months. We plan to determine whether aliskiren decreases aortic stiffness significantly more than negative controls in patients with MFS under atenolol treatment.

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Reports of Suspected Atenolol Side Effects

Completed Suicide (151),  Hypertension (76),  Bradycardia (70),  Toxicity TO Various Agents (65),  Blood Pressure Increased (62),  Drug Ineffective (51),  Hypotension (48),  Cardiac Arrest (46),  Renal Failure Acute (44),  Dizziness (42), more >>

PATIENT REVIEWS / RATINGS / COMMENTS

Atenolol review by 60 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Highly Effective
Side effects:		No Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Extra Heartbeat
Dosage & duration:		25 mg/day taken 1 /day for the period of 13+ years
Other conditions:		None
Other drugs taken:		None
		Reported Results
Benefits:		The benefits are amazing. I felt dizzy and like I was going to faint before I took the drug. These symptoms went away and have stayed away for going on 20 years. I also have seen that it helps with blood pressure and pulse rate.
Side effects:		I have never experienced any adverse side affects.
Comments:		I simply take one tiny tablet each morning.

Atenolol review by 67 year old female patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Moderately Effective
Side effects:		Mild Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		hypertension
Dosage & duration:		25 mg taken 1 po qd for the period of 3 years
Other conditions:		none
Other drugs taken:		none
		Reported Results
Benefits:		Effective in reducing hypertension from previous approximately 170/85 to less than 150/65 and now even less at approximately 130/65
Side effects:		Side effected included sleepiness, and unaccountably nausea while sailing. Prior to taking this drug I had never had problems with "seasickness" while sailing. I found I had to stay topside during sailing times. Other than that, the tiredness was a factor which became less noticeable with time. The seasickness would not be a problem for the majority of people, I am sure
Comments:		Treatment was 1 pill per day for approximately 3 years (25 mg) which I am told is a quite low dose for this medication. However my weight is 100 lbs on average and small build so for me it was more than enough. It helped my hypertension come back to within normal range which I was pleased with. If I needed to go back on an antihypertensive, I would try it again

Atenolol review by 62 year old male patient
		Rating
Overall rating:
Effectiveness:		Ineffective
Side effects:		Severe Side Effects
		Treatment Info
Condition / reason:		Atrial Fibrillation
Dosage & duration:		25 mg taken daily for the period of 3 months
Other conditions:		mild hypertension
Other drugs taken:		warafin, lisinopril
		Reported Results
Benefits:		none except....slowed heart rate. My afib was NOT diminished, but I assume the drug was helping keep my heart rate when in Afib down somewhat
Side effects:		The 3 months i was on atenolol (25mg) I had vertigo, short term memory loss, anxiety, and hearing issue. All except hearing went away when I switched to a different beta blocker. Joe Hare
Comments:		once a day 25 mg