Beta Blocker·Cardiovascular - Beta Blockers

Atenolol

Hypertension, angina, arrhythmias

PBSBETA BLOCKERTenormin, Noten50 mg tabletS4+1

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

100 mg/day

Half-life

6–7 h

Caution: Renal Adj.

DOSE RED.

High risk: Asthma

CONTRAIND.

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Severe asthma, 2nd/3rd degree heart block, cardiogenic shock. Pregnancy Category C. Associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Water-soluble, cardioselective beta-blocker. Unlike metoprolol, it relies heavily on renal clearance and does not cross the blood-brain barrier easily.

Clinical Focus

Must be dose-reduced in renal impairment to prevent profound drug accumulation and severe bradycardia.

Bottom Line

Atenolol is a simple once-daily beta-blocker for rate control and angina, but has fallen out of favour as first-line for hypertension due to inferior stroke outcomes.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Tenormin, Noten

Oral Routes

Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg).

Parenteral

Ampoule (5 mg/10 mL) for IV use (Rarely used, specialist only).

Prescribing & PBS

Unrestricted General Benefit (S4).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Hypertension, angina, arrhythmias.

Clinical Place

Historically widely used, but inferior to ACEi/ARBs for primary hypertension. Still useful for rate control.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Beta Blocker — Water-soluble, cardioselective beta-blocker.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg). (Tenormin, Noten)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 25-50 mg OD. Max 100 mg/day.

Key Indication Doses

Hypertension / Angina: PO 25-50 mg OD. Max 100 mg/day. AF Rate Control: PO 25-50 mg OD. Renal Impairment: If eGFR 15-35, Max 50 mg/day. If eGFR < 15, Max 25 mg/day or give every 48 hours.

Best Uses

Atenolol is a simple once-daily beta-blocker for rate control and angina, but has fallen out of favour as first-line for hypertension due to inferior stroke outcomes.

Key Risks

Cardiovascular: Bradycardia, AV block, heart failure exacerbation. Renal: Toxicity/accumulation rapidly occurs with declining renal function. Neurological: Being hydrophilic, it causes fewer CNS side effects (nightmares, sleep issues) than lipophilic agents like metoprolol.

Key Interactions

Verapamil and Diltiazem (Risk of asystole). Digoxin, Amiodarone.

Monitoring

Baseline and routine U&E and eGFR to guide safe dosing. Hold if HR < 50 or SBP < 90.

Clinical Pearl

The most common cause of Atenolol-induced severe bradycardia in the elderly is an acute decline in renal function. Always check the eGFR before increasing the dose.

Access

Tenormin, Noten50 mg tablet

Brand: Tenormin, Noten
Formulation: Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg).

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.

Beta Blocker·Cardiovascular - Beta Blockers

Atenolol

Hypertension, angina, arrhythmias

PBSBETA BLOCKERTenormin, Noten50 mg tabletS4+1

No source link confirmed for this record yet. Its own source notes are under Additional.

At a glance

Max Dose

100 mg/day

Half-life

6–7 h

Caution: Renal Adj.

DOSE RED.

High risk: Asthma

CONTRAIND.

Cautions

Avoid / Cautions

Severe asthma, 2nd/3rd degree heart block, cardiogenic shock. Pregnancy Category C. Associated with intrauterine growth restriction (IUGR).

Where it stands

Rapid Summary

Overview

Water-soluble, cardioselective beta-blocker. Unlike metoprolol, it relies heavily on renal clearance and does not cross the blood-brain barrier easily.

Clinical Focus

Must be dose-reduced in renal impairment to prevent profound drug accumulation and severe bradycardia.

Bottom Line

Atenolol is a simple once-daily beta-blocker for rate control and angina, but has fallen out of favour as first-line for hypertension due to inferior stroke outcomes.

Formulation & Access

Brand Names

Tenormin, Noten

Oral Routes

Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg).

Parenteral

Ampoule (5 mg/10 mL) for IV use (Rarely used, specialist only).

Prescribing & PBS

Unrestricted General Benefit (S4).

Indications & Use

Primary

PBSTGA

Hypertension, angina, arrhythmias.

Clinical Place

Historically widely used, but inferior to ACEi/ARBs for primary hypertension. Still useful for rate control.

Quick reference

Class & Role

Beta Blocker — Water-soluble, cardioselective beta-blocker.

Route / Formulation

Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg). (Tenormin, Noten)

Usual Dose & Max

PO 25-50 mg OD. Max 100 mg/day.

Key Indication Doses

Hypertension / Angina: PO 25-50 mg OD. Max 100 mg/day. AF Rate Control: PO 25-50 mg OD. Renal Impairment: If eGFR 15-35, Max 50 mg/day. If eGFR < 15, Max 25 mg/day or give every 48 hours.

Best Uses

Atenolol is a simple once-daily beta-blocker for rate control and angina, but has fallen out of favour as first-line for hypertension due to inferior stroke outcomes.

Key Risks

Key Interactions

Verapamil and Diltiazem (Risk of asystole). Digoxin, Amiodarone.

Monitoring

Baseline and routine U&E and eGFR to guide safe dosing. Hold if HR < 50 or SBP < 90.

Clinical Pearl

The most common cause of Atenolol-induced severe bradycardia in the elderly is an acute decline in renal function. Always check the eGFR before increasing the dose.

Access

Tenormin, Noten50 mg tablet

Brand: Tenormin, Noten
Formulation: Tablets (50 mg, 100 mg).

From this page

No calculator, monitoring schedule or factsheet is linked to this medicine page yet.