Atenolol

Abstract

Atenolol is a selective beta 1-adrenoceptor antagonist with a duration of activity of at least 24 hours. The scope of therapeutic use of the drug has been expanded and become better defined since it was first reviewed in the Journal in 1979. Atenolol is effective and generally well tolerated in patients with all grades of hypertension. Data from comparative studies show that when administered orally, atenolol reduces blood pressure to a similar extent, and in a similar proportion of patients, as usual therapeutic doses of other beta-adrenoceptor antagonists (such as acebutolol, celiprolol, betaxolol, indenolol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, tertatolol), angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (e.g. captopril, enalapril and lisinopril), calcium antagonists (e.g. amlodipine, diltiazem, felodipine, isradipine, nitrendipine, nifedipine, verapamil), doxazosin, ketanserin and alpha-methyldopa. Atenolol effectively lowers blood pressure in elderly patients with hypertension and in women with hypertension associated with pregnancy, and improves objective and subjective indices in patients with stable angina pectoris. Oral atenolol is used for preventing recurrence of supraventricular arrhythmias once control is achieved by intravenous administration of atenolol. Early intervention with intravenous atenolol followed by oral maintenance therapy reduces infarct recurrence and cardiovascular mortality in patients with known or suspected myocardial infarction. There is also encouraging evidence of reduced mortality from cardiovascular disease during long term therapy with atenolol in patients with hypertension. Atenolol is well tolerated in most patients. Increases in plasma levels of both total triglycerides and very low density lipoprotein (VLDL) triglycerides have accompanied atenolol therapy although the clinical relevance, if any, of longer term metabolic effects has yet to be determined. Its low lipid solubility and limited brain penetration results in a lower incidence of central nervous system effects than that associated with propranolol. After many years of clinical usage atenolol is a well established treatment option in several areas of cardiovascular medicine such as mild to moderate hypertension and stable angina pectoris. Furthermore, it has also shown potential in the treatment of some cardiac arrhythmias and has been associated with reduced cardiovascular mortality in patients with hypertension and in patients with myocardial infarction.

Pharmaceutical Residues Affecting the UNESCO Biosphere Reserve Kristianstads Vattenrike Wetlands: Sources and Sinks

“…Overall it is not uncommon that atenolol concentrations exceed 1 μg/L in Sweden and throughout Europe, although there is substantial variation in inlet concentrations. These high inlet concentrations are likely caused by atenolol passing through the human body without being completely metabolized (Wadworth et al 1991; Vieno et al 2006). Based on a literature survey, Kasprzyk-Hordern et al (2007, 2008) concluded that atenolol was excreted up to approximately 50 % in unchanged form, whereas others report values as high as 90 % (Stockholm Vatten 2010).…”

Effect of Some Antihypertensive Drugs on Alkaline Phosphatase and Dna of Mice

“…Its principal action is to inhibit calcium entry through voltage-gated transmembrane L-type channels, thus decreasing intercellular calcium concentration and inducing smooth muscle relaxation [8][9][10]. Atenolol is a beta 1-selective drug that binds to the beta-receptors and prevents the stimulation by catecholamine resulting in lowering of heart rate and of the systemic blood pressure [11]. Captopril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor used for the treatment of hypertension and some types of congestive heart failure.…”

Nanogold-modified Carbon Paste Electrode for the Determination of Atenolol in Pharmaceutical Formulations and Urine by Voltammetric Methods

“…β-blockers are exceptionally toxic and most have a narrow therapeutic range; i.e., the differences between the lowest therapeutic and the highest tolerable doses are small. [1][2][3] Hence, accurate methods for the measurement of ATN are of great importance in pharmaceutical research. Several methods have been reported for the determination of ATN, including UV spectrophotometry, 4,5 spectroflurometry 6 and capillary zone electrophoresis in plasma.…”