That might increase your risk for a heart attack. If you miss a dose: If you miss a dose, just take the next dose as planned. How to tell if the drug is working: You can tell that atenolol is working if it lowers your blood pressure.

Because atenolol can lower blood pressure, your doctor may ask that you periodically check your blood pressure while taking it. Let your doctor know if you experience blood pressure readings that are either too high or too low while taking atenolol.

A prescription for this medication is refillable. You should not need a new prescription for this medication to be refilled. Your doctor will write the number of refills authorized on your prescription. There are other drugs available to treat your condition. Some may be more suitable for you than others. Talk to your doctor about possible alternatives.

Disclaimer: Healthline has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up-to-date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or other healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained here in is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects.

The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses. When heart pain, or discomfort near the heart that's perceived as heart pain, strikes, you want it to go away fast.

These home remedies may help. High blood pressure is often associated with few or no symptoms. Many people have it for years without knowing it. Foods that are rich in potassium, magnesium, and calcium can help lower blood pressure. Take a look at our list and see which ones you'd like to add…. Your diet is an important tool when it comes to living well with MS.

Learn what not to eat. Several herbs may help lower high blood pressure. Learn more about good herbs for hypertension, from basil to hawthorn. Lifestyle changes can significantly reduce high blood pressure and even lower your risk for hypertension in the future. We'll explain the connection between type 2 diabetes and high blood pressure, plus how people with type 2 diabetes can prevent and treat hypertension.

Here are six other exercises that can help improve your levels too. If you have diabetes, you have a higher risk of developing high cholesterol. Health Conditions Discover Plan Connect. Atenolol, Oral Tablet. About Side effects Interactions Other warnings Dosage Take as directed Important considerations Alternatives Highlights for atenolol Atenolol oral tablet is available as a brand-name drug and a generic drug. Brand name: Tenormin. During the first few days of taking atenolol or after an increase in your dose, it's best to stop drinking alcohol until you see how the medicine affects you.

Eating a healthy, balanced diet can help if you have high blood pressure or another heart condition. But some types of hormonal methods of contraception, like the combined pill and contraceptive patch , are not usually recommended for women with high blood pressure. It's unlikely that atenolol affects fertility in men or women. But there's not enough evidence to say for certain. If you're trying for a baby or having problems getting pregnant while on atenolol, speak to your doctor.

Some people on atenolol say their sex drive goes down, and some men find they cannot get an erection. But this is not a common side effect and there's not enough evidence to say for sure that atenolol is causing it.

Regular exercise is good for you because it lowers blood pressure by keeping your heart and blood vessels in good condition. Be aware, though, that in some sports atenolol is not allowed if you're competing at a high level. Atenolol can make some people feel dizzy, especially when you first start taking it or after taking a bigger dose. If this happens to you, do not drive a car, ride a bike, or use tools or machinery until you feel better.

If you have heart problems, you can boost the health of your heart by making some key lifestyle changes. These will also help if you have high blood pressure. There are a number of things you can do to help prevent migraines. Page last reviewed: 19 March Next review due: 19 March Atenolol On this page About atenolol Key facts Who can and cannot take atenolol How and when to take it Side effects How to cope with side effects Pregnancy and breastfeeding Cautions with other medicines Common questions.

About atenolol Atenolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta blockers. It can also be used to prevent chest pain caused by angina. This medicine is only available on prescription. Atenolol slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. It can make you feel dizzy, sick or tired, or give you constipation or diarrhoea. These side effects are usually mild and short-lived.

Your very first dose of atenolol may make you feel dizzy, so take it at bedtime. After that, if you do not feel dizzy, you can take it in the morning.

Atenolol is known by the brand name Tenormin. Other brand names include Tenif for atenolol mixed with nifedipine and Co-tenidone atenolol mixed with chlortalidone.

Atenolol can be taken by adults. It's sometimes also prescribed for babies and children. To make sure it's safe for you, tell your doctor before starting atenolol if you have: had an allergic reaction to atenolol or any other medicine in the past low blood pressure or a slow heart rate serious blood circulation problems in your limbs such as Raynaud's phenomenon , which may make your fingers and toes tingle or turn pale or blue metabolic acidosis - when there's too much acid in your blood lung disease or asthma Tell your doctor if you're trying to get pregnant, are already pregnant or breastfeeding.

You'll usually take atenolol once or twice a day. After the first dose, if you do not feel dizzy, you can take your medicine in the morning. It's a good idea to leave 10 to 12 hours between doses if you can. Dosage How much you take depends on why you need atenolol. For high blood pressure - the usual dose is 25mg to 50mg taken once a day. For irregular heartbeats arrhythmia - the usual dose is 50mg to mg taken once a day.

How to take it Atenolol does not usually upset your tummy, so you can take it with or without food. Swallow the tablets whole with a drink of water.

What if I forget to take it? Never take 2 doses at the same time. Do not take an extra dose to make up for a forgotten one. If you often forget doses, it may help to set an alarm to remind you.

What if I take too much? The amount of atenolol that can lead to an overdose varies from person to person. Take the atenolol packet or leaflet inside it, plus any remaining medicine, with you.

Side effects often improve as your body gets used to the medicine. Common side effects These common side effects happen in more than 1 in people. Talk to your doctor or pharmacist if these side effects bother you or last more than a few days: feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy cold fingers or toes feeling sick nausea diarrhoea constipation Serious side effects It happens rarely, but some people have serious side effects when taking atenolol.

Tell a doctor straight away if you have: shortness of breath with a cough that gets worse when you exercise like walking up stairs , swollen ankles or legs, chest pain, or an irregular heartbeat - these can be signs of heart problems trouble breathing, cold sweats and sudden, sharp chest pain that gets worse when you cough or take deep breaths - these can be signs of lung problems a fast heart rate, a high temperature, trembling and confusion - these can be signs of a thyroid problem Serious allergic reaction In rare cases, atenolol may cause a serious allergic reaction anaphylaxis.

Information: You can report any suspected side effect using the Yellow Card safety scheme. Visit Yellow Card for further information. People also asked How much time does it take to completely withdraw from the blood pressure medication atenolol? My blood pressure has been high taking 3 medications and walgreens pharma said I should not take metoprolol and atenolol together so i need to know? Could atenolol be a good option for a patient who has sensitivity to other blood pressure medications?

Which medication is more for letting blood pressure inderal propranolol or atenolol? Causes for high BP I am on atenolol Also I am young, fit. Related topics Atenolol. Blood pressure. Connect with a U. Disclaimer: Content on HealthTap including answers should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment, and interactions on HealthTap do not create a doctor-patient relationship. Product What We Treat. Topics Catalog. I took atenolol for a month , 25 mgs twice a day.

I discontinued it 3weeks ago, asthma flared up! Atenolol is a beta blocker I'm so scared. What can you tell me about this pill? Doctor is replacing my Atenlol 25 MG with Metoprolol 25 twice daily. I have read horror stories about abruptly stopping Atenolol. Should I be worried about abruptly stopping Atenolol even though it's being replaced with another beta blocker?

Found in: Beta blocker. People also asked Hi I'm take 25mg atenolol beta blocker for high blood pressure and extra heart beats pallpations been on it a year last few days I've felt very weak a? My doc gave me 1. Atenolol perhaps? What's the correct dose of Atenolol like 1. Yes dr they have given me a beta blocker.