Complete adverse effect profile including incidence rates and management
Important Safety Information
This is not a complete list of all possible side effects. Contact your healthcare provider if you experience any unexpected symptoms. For serious or life-threatening side effects, seek emergency medical attention immediately.
ADVERSE REACTIONS Most adverse effects have been mild and transient.
The frequency estimates in the following table were derived from controlled studies in hypertensive patients in which adverse reactions were either volunteered by the patient (U.S.
studies) or elicited, e.g., by checklist (foreign studies).
The reported frequency of elicited adverse effects was higher for both atenolol and placebo-treated patients than when these reactions were volunteered.
Where frequency of adverse effects of atenolol and placebo is similar, causal relationship to atenolol is uncertain.
Volunteered (U.S.
Studies) Total - Volunteered and Elicited (Foreign + U.S.
Studies) Atenolol (n=164) % Placebo (n=206) % Atenolol (n=399) % Placebo (n=407) % CARDIOVASCULAR Bradycardia 3 0 3 0 Cold Extremities 0 0.5 12 5 Postural Hypotension 2 1 4 5 Leg Pain 0 0.5 3 1 CENTRAL NERVOUS SYSTEM/NEUROMUSCULAR Dizziness 4 1 13 6 Vertigo 2 0.5 2 0.2 Light-headedness 1 0 3 0.7 Tiredness 0.6 0.5 26 13 Fatigue 3 1 6 5 Lethargy 1 0 3 0.7 Drowsiness 0.6 0 2 0.5 Depression 0.6 0.5 12 9 Dreaming 0 0 3 1 GASTROINTESTINAL Diarrhea 2 0 3 2 Nausea 4 1 3 1 RESPIRATORY (See WARNINGS ) Wheeziness 0 0 3 3 Dyspnea 0.6 1 6 4 Acute Myocardial Infarction In a series of investigations in the treatment of acute myocardial infarction, bradycardia and hypotension occurred more commonly, as expected for any beta-blocker, in atenolol-treated patients than in control patients.
However, these usually responded to atropine and/or to withholding further dosage of atenolol.
The incidence of heart failure was not increased by atenolol.
WARNINGS Cardiac Failure Sympathetic stimulation is necessary in supporting circulatory function in congestive heart failure, and beta-blockade carries the potential hazard of further depressing myocardial contractility and precipitating more severe failure.
In patients with acute myocardial infarction, cardiac failure which is not promptly and effectively controlled by 80 mg of intravenous furosemide or equivalent therapy is a contraindication to beta-blocker treatment.
In Patients Without a History of Cardiac Failure Continued depression of the myocardium with beta-blocking agents over a period of time can, in some cases, lead to cardiac failure.
At the first sign or symptom of impending cardiac failure, patients should be treated appropriately according to currently recommended guidelines, and the response observed closely.
If cardiac failure continues despite adequate treatment, atenolol should be withdrawn.
Like all medications, Atenolol can cause side effects. However, not everyone who takes this medication will experience them. Many side effects are dose-dependent and may improve as your body adjusts to the medication. Others may require dose adjustment or medical attention.
Contact your healthcare provider promptly if you experience:
Seek immediate emergency medical care if you experience signs of: