Atenolol uses
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Summary
10 papers analyzed
These studies suggest atenolol is used to lower blood pressure, treat angina, reduce cardiovascular mortality, and manage certain arrhythmias, though it may have rare adverse effects and its suitability for hypertensive patients is debated.
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Therapeutic Uses of Atenolol
Hypertension Management
Atenolol is widely recognized for its efficacy in managing hypertension. It is a selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist that effectively reduces blood pressure in patients with mild to moderate hypertension . Comparative studies have shown that atenolol lowers blood pressure to a similar extent as other beta-adrenoceptor antagonists, ACE inhibitors, and calcium antagonists . It is particularly effective in elderly patients and women with pregnancy-associated hypertension .
Angina Pectoris Treatment
Atenolol is also used in the prophylactic management of stable angina pectoris. Its long duration of beta-blocking activity allows for once-daily dosing, which is beneficial for patient compliance. Atenolol improves both objective and subjective indices in patients with stable angina, making it a reliable option for long-term management .
Myocardial Infarction and Cardiovascular Mortality
Early intervention with intravenous atenolol followed by oral maintenance therapy has been shown to reduce infarct recurrence and cardiovascular mortality in patients with known or suspected myocardial infarction . Long-term therapy with atenolol is associated with reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease in patients with hypertension .
Supraventricular Arrhythmias
Atenolol is effective in preventing the recurrence of supraventricular arrhythmias. It is often used orally after initial control is achieved with intravenous administration . In patients undergoing coronary artery bypass surgery, atenolol significantly reduces the incidence of postoperative supraventricular arrhythmias.
Seasonal Affective Disorder
Interestingly, atenolol has been tested for its potential use in treating seasonal affective disorder (SAD). Although the overall results did not support the melatonin hypothesis of phototherapy, some patients experienced marked and sustained relief of symptoms with atenolol, suggesting it may be beneficial for certain individuals with SAD.
Safety and Tolerability
Atenolol is generally well tolerated, with a lower incidence of central nervous system effects compared to non-selective beta-blockers like propranolol, due to its low lipid solubility and limited brain penetration . However, rare cases of atenolol-associated cholestatic hepatitis have been reported, indicating the need for clinicians to be aware of this potential adverse effect.
Conclusion
Atenolol is a well-established treatment option in cardiovascular medicine, particularly for hypertension, stable angina pectoris, and the prevention of supraventricular arrhythmias. Its role in reducing cardiovascular mortality post-myocardial infarction further underscores its importance. While generally well tolerated, clinicians should monitor for rare adverse effects such as cholestatic hepatitis.
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