Dr. Ogbru received his Doctorate in Pharmacy from the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy in 1995. He completed a Pharmacy Practice Residency at the University of Arizona/University Medical Center in 1996. He was a Professor of Pharmacy Practice and a Regional Clerkship Coordinator for the University of the Pacific School of Pharmacy from 1996-99.
Jay W. Marks, MD, is a board-certified internist and gastroenterologist. He graduated from Yale University School of Medicine and trained in internal medicine and gastroenterology at UCLA/Cedars-Sinai Medical Center in Los Angeles.
DRUG CLASS AND MECHANISM: Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that
blocks the effects of adrenergic drugs, for example, adrenaline or epinephrine, on
nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. One of the important functions of
beta-adrenergic stimulation is to stimulate the heart to beat more rapidly. By
blocking the stimulation of these nerves, atenolol reduces the heart rate and is
useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Atenolol also reduces the
force of contraction of heart muscle and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the
heart rate, the force of muscle contraction, and the blood pressure against
which the heart must pump, atenolol reduces the work of heart muscle and the
need of the muscle for oxygen. Since angina occurs when oxygen demand of the
heart muscle exceeds the supply, atenolol is helpful in treating angina.
Atenolol was approved by the FDA in August 1981.
PRESCRIPTION: Yes
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
PREPARATIONS: Tablets: 25, 50, 100 mg. Injection: 5 mg/10 ml
STORAGE: Store at room temperature 20°to 25°C (68° to 77°F).
PRESCRIBED FOR: Atenolol is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure
(hypertension). It is also used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) related to
coronary artery disease. Atenolol also is useful in slowing and regulating
certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates (tachycardias). It is also
prescribed for acute myocardial infarction (heart attack). Other uses for
atenolol include the prevention of migraine headaches and the treatment of
certain types of tremors (familial or hereditary essential tremors).
DOSING: Atenolol should be taken before meals or at bedtime.
The dose for
treating high blood pressure or angina is 50-100 mg once daily.
Acute myocardial
infarction (heart attack) is treated with two 5 mg injections administered 10 minutes apart
followed by treatment with 100 mg oral atenolol for 6-9 days. If atenolol
injections are not advisable, patients may be treated with 100 mg daily of oral
atenolol for 7 days.
DRUG INTERACTIONS:Calcium channel blockers and digoxin (Lanoxin) can cause
lowering of blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels when administered
together with atenolol. Atenolol can mask the early warning symptoms of low
blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and should be used with caution in patients
receiving treatment for diabetes.
PREGNANCY: Atenolol may cause harm and growth retardation in the fetus when
given to pregnant women.
NURSING MOTHERS: Atenolol is excreted in
breast milk and my cause adverse
effects in the breastfed infant.
SIDE EFFECTS: Atenolol is generally well tolerated, and side effects are mild
and transient. Rare side effects include abdominal cramps, diarrhea,
constipation, fatigue, insomnia, nausea, depression, dreaming, memory loss,
fever,
impotence, lightheadedness, slow heart rate, low blood pressure,
numbness, tingling, cold extremities, and sore throat.
Atenolol can aggravate breathing difficulties in patients with asthma,
chronic bronchitis, or
emphysema. In patients with existing slow heart rates (bradycardias)
and heart blocks (defects in the electrical conduction of the heart), atenolol
can cause dangerously slow heart rates, and even shock. Atenolol reduces the
force of heart muscle contraction and can aggravate symptoms of heart failure.
In patients with coronary artery disease, abruptly stopping atenolol can
suddenly worsen angina, and occasionally precipitate heart attacks. If it is
necessary to discontinue atenolol, its dosage can be reduced gradually over
several weeks.
High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, is a repeatedly
elevated blood pressure exceeding 140 over 90 mmHg -- a systolic pressure above
140 with a diastolic pressure above 90. There are two causes of high blood pressure, primary and secondary. Primary high blood pressure is much more common that secondary and its basic causes or underlying defects are not always known. It is known that a diet high in salt increases the risk for high blood pressure, as well as high cholesterol. Genetic factors are also a primary cause. Secondary high blood pressure is generally caused by another condition such as renal hypertension, tumors, and other conditions. Treatment for high blood pressure is generally lifestyle changes and if necessary, diet.
Dizziness is a symptom that is often applies to a variety of sensations including lightheadedness and vertigo. Causes of dizziness include low blood pressure, heart problems, anemia, dehydration, and more. Treatment of dizziness depends on the cause.
Migraine is usually periodic attacks of headaches on one or both sides of the head. These may be accompanied by nausea, vomiting, increased sensitivity of the eyes to light (photophobia), increased sensitivity to sound (phonophobia), dizziness, blurred vision, cognitive disturbances, and other symptoms. Treatments for migraine headache include therapies that may or may not involve medications.
Angina is chest pain that is due to an inadequate supply of oxygen to the heart muscle.
Angina can be caused by coronary artery disease or spasm of the coronary
arteries. EKG, exercise treadmill, stress echocardiography, stress thallium, and cardiac
catheterization are important tests used in the diagnosis of angina.
Hyperthyroidism is an excess of thyroid hormone resulting from an overactive thyroid gland. Symptoms can include increased heart rate, weight
loss, depression, and cognitive slowing. Treatment is by medication, the use of
radioactive iodine, thyroid surgery, or reducing the dose of thyroid hormone.
Fainting, also referred to as blacking out, syncope, or temporary loss of consciousness has many causes. Often a person will have signs or symptoms prior to the fainting episode. Diagnosis and treatment depends upon the cause of the fainting or syncope episode.
Heart attack happens when a blood clot completely obstructs a coronary
artery supplying blood to the heart muscle. A heart attack can cause chest pain, heart failure, and electrical
instability of the heart.
Raynaud's phenomenon is characterized by a pale-blue-red sequence of color changes of the digits, most commonly after exposure to cold. Occurring as a result of spasm of blood vessels, the cause is unknown. Symptoms of Raynaud's phenomenon depend on the severity, frequency, and duration of the blood vessel spasm. Treatments include protection of the digits, medications, and avoiding emotional stresses, smoking, cold temperature, and tools that vibrate the hands.
Abdominal aortic aneurysm is a ballooning or widening of the main artery (the aorta) as it courses down through the abdomen. The most common cause of aortic aneurysms is
"hardening of the arteries" called arteriosclerosis.
Mitral valve prolapse (MVP) is also also known as "click murmur syndrome" and "Barlow's syndrome." Mitral valve prolapse is the most common heart valve abnormality. Signs and symptoms of mitral valve prolapse include: fatigue, palpitations, chest pain, anxiety, and migraine headaches. Echocardiography is the most useful test for mitral valve prolapse. Most patients do not need any treatment, however, patients with severe prolapse may need treatment.
There are many types of thyroid disease. Some occur due to the function of the thyroid itself such as hypothyroidism, hyperthyroidism, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, etc. Some causes of thyroid disease occur due to problems with the structure of the thyroid gland such as goiters, thyroid nodules, and thyroid cancer. Treatment of thyroid disease depends on the cause of the disease.
Tremor is the involuntary movements of one or more parts of the body. Causes of tremor include neurological disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, drugs, mercury poisoning, overactive thyroid and liver failure. There are several types of tremor. Treatment depends upon the type of tremor and availability of medications for the condition.
Heart disease (coronary artery disease) is caused by a buildup of cholesterol deposits in the coronary arteries. Risk factors for heart disease include smoking, high blood pressure, heredity, diabetes, peripheral artery disease, and obesity. Symptoms include chest pain and shortness of breath. There are a variety of tests used to diagnose coronary artery disease. Treatment includes life-style changes, medications, procedures, or surgery.
High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.
A heart attack (also known as a myocardial infarction) is the death of heart
muscle from the sudden blockage of a coronary artery by a blood clot. Coronary
arteries are blood vessels that supply the heart muscle with blood and oxygen.
Blockage of a coronary artery deprives the heart muscle of blood and oxygen,
causing injury to the heart muscle. Injury to the heart muscle causes chest pain
and pressure. If blood flow is not restored within 20 to 40 minutes,
irreversible death of the heart muscle will begin to occur. Muscle continues to
die for six to eight hours at which time the heart attack usually is "complete." The
dead heart muscle is replaced by scar tissue.
Approximately one million Americans suffer a heart attack each year. Four
hundred thousand of them die as a result of their heart attack.
Click here
to view interactive photos of hearts that have suffered a heart attack.
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