Clinical data | |
---|---|
Trade names | Tenormin, others |
AHFS/Drugs.com | Monograph |
MedlinePlus | a684031 |
License data |
|
Pregnancy category |
|
Routes of administration | oral, Intravenous (IV) |
Drug class | Selective β1 receptor antagonist |
ATC code |
|
Legal status | |
Legal status |
|
Pharmacokinetic data | |
Bioavailability | 40–50% |
Protein binding | 6–16%[1] |
Metabolism | Minimal[1] |
Onset of action | IV: <5 minutes[1] Oral: <1 hour[1] |
Elimination half-life | 6–7 hours[1] |
Duration of action | >24 hours[1] |
Excretion | Urine (>85% IV, 50% oral)[1] |
Identifiers | |
CAS Number | |
PubChem CID | |
IUPHAR/BPS | |
DrugBank | |
ChemSpider | |
UNII | |
KEGG | |
ChEBI | |
ChEMBL | |
ECHA InfoCard | 100.044.941 |
Chemical and physical data | |
Chirality | Racemic mixture |
(verify) |
Atenolol (brand name: Tenormin) is a beta blocker medication which treats high blood pressure (hypertension), irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia) and angina.[2]
Atenolol was patented in 1969 and approved for medical use in 1975.[3] It is on the World Health Organization's List of Essential Medicines.[4] It is available as a generic medication.[5] In 2021, it was the 47th most commonly prescribed medication in the United States, with more than 14 million prescriptions.[6][7][8]
For people with high blood pressure, taking atenolol (or other beta blockers) helps prevent future heart disease, heart attacks and strokes. It can also be used to prevent chest pain caused by angina. Atenolol is sometimes prescribed to prevent migraines and help with anxiety.[2]
Atenolol works by slowing down the heart rate, making it easier for the heart to pump blood around the body.[2]