Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, commonly referred to as a beta-blocker. It is primarily used to treat various cardiovascular conditions. Its mechanism of action involves selectively blocking beta-1 adrenoceptors, predominantly found in the heart, leading to a reduction in heart rate and myocardial contractility. This action helps to decrease the heart's workload and oxygen demand. Atenolol is available in oral tablet form.
First synthesized in the 1970s, atenolol became a widely used medication due to its relative cardioselectivity compared to earlier non-selective beta-blockers. While initially thought to offer significant advantages in patients with respiratory conditions like asthma, later research has shown that cardioselectivity is dose-dependent and can be lost at higher doses. It is metabolized to a limited extent by the liver and primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys, which is an important consideration in patients with renal impairment. Its half-life averages around 7 hours, allowing for once-daily dosing for many indications. (DrugBank, MedlinePlus)
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Known interactions
Category rule: supplement × medication
Note
Some supplements change how the body processes medications (absorption, liver enzymes, or additive effects).
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Category rule: vitamin × medication
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Certain vitamins interact with specific medications (e.g., vitamin K with blood thinners).
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Sources referenced
* DrugBank
* FDA label (specific product inserts)
* MedlinePlus
* Mayo Clinic
* Cochrane Library
* American College of Cardiology / American Heart Association guidelines (cited by medical literature)
* Journal of Hypertension (cited by medical literature)
* The Lancet (cited by medical literature)
* Circulation (cited by medical literature)
Stackwise compiles summaries from publicly available scientific and regulatory references. Always verify important decisions with a licensed clinician.
Related compounds
Others in the medication category or studied for the same goals.
