S-Atenolol
Description
S-Atenolol is a medicine that is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and angina pectoris (chest pain). S-Atenolol relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow to the heart. As a result, the pressure at which blood is pumped out of the heart is reduced. It also slows down the activity of your heart and reduces the rate and force of the heartbeats. S-Atenolol is also used as a preventive medication for migraine headaches.
S-Atenolol causes some side effects like dizziness, headache, breathing difficulty, and low blood pressure. If you feel dizzy or tired after taking this medicine, avoid any activity that requires concentration like driving vehicles or operating machines. Do not take this medicine if you are allergic to it. This medicine may make you feel lightheaded if you stand up suddenly from a seated position and this is more common in the elderly. You are advised to stand up slowly with support if you experience any lightheadedness while using this medicine.
S-Atenolol can be taken with or without food. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine at the same time every day. You may have to take this medicine for a long duration according to the treatment plan. Do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor. Stopping the use of this medicine abruptly may lead to serious side effects and complications.
S-Atenolol may not be suitable for everyone, inform your doctor if you have liver, kidney or breathing problems. It may affect the action of other medicines. Hence, inform your doctor about your all ongoing medicines. This information is critical for the dose adjustment and your overall treatment plan. Consult your doctor before taking this medicine if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for S-Atenolol
- Excessive sweating
- Cold hands or feet
- Decreased heartbeat
- Slow heartbeat
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Low blood pressure
- Trouble sleeping
Uses of S-Atenolol
What is it prescribed for?
- Hypertension
- Angina pectoris
- Prevention of migraine attacks
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of the S-Atenolol can be observed within 3 hours after taking it.
- Duration of effectThe effect of S-Atenolol lasts for an average duration of 24 hours.
- Safe with alcohol?Avoid drinking alcohol while taking S-Atenolol as it may increase the risk of symptoms like very low blood pressure, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendencies were reported for S-Atenolol.
- Usage in pregnancy?S-Atenolol is safe to be used in pregnancy as it is not known to cause birth defects in your foetus. Hence, it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before starting the treatment with this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?S-Atenolol is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. It passes into breast milk at low levels and may cause harm to your baby. However, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
Allergy
Avoid taking S-Atenolol if you are allergic to it. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms of allergic reactions such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulty, etc.
Heart block greater than first degree
There are electrical signals that control the heartbeat and cause your heart muscle to contract and pump blood properly. Heart block occurs when these signals are slowed down. Heart blocks can be first, second, or third-degree based on severity. S-Atenolol is not recommended to treat second or third-degree heart block that requires emergency attention.
Cardiogenic shock
Cardiogenic shock is a condition in which your heart is unable to pump enough blood to the organs. If you have this condition, taking S-Atenolol can further reduce the amount of blood in your blood vessels, which can lead to serious side effects and complications.
Bradycardia
Bradycardia or slow heart rate occurs when your heart beats less than 60 times per minute. It can lead to serious heart conditions like a heart attack. S-Atenolol is not recommended for use in such cases as it can slow the heart rate even further which can worsen your condition and lead to other complications.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
S-Atenolol is safe to be used in pregnancy as it is not known to cause birth defects in your foetus. Hence, it is acceptable for use upon your doctor's recommendation. All the risks and benefits should be discussed with your doctor before starting the treatment with this medicine.
Breast-feeding
S-Atenolol is not recommended for use during breastfeeding. It passes into breast milk at low levels and may cause harm to your baby. However, consult your doctor before taking this medicine.
General warnings
Driving or operating machines
S-Atenolol may cause dizziness and fatigue in some people. It is advised that you do not perform any activities such as driving vehicles or operating machines if you experience any of these symptoms during treatment with this medicine.
Hyperlipidaemia
Hyperlipidaemia is a condition where the levels of fat or cholesterol in your blood are high. S-Atenolol can increase the cholesterol levels in the blood. S-Atenolol should be used with caution if you have hyperlipidaemia. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine if required based on your condition.
Hyperthyroidism
S-Atenolol may be used to control symptoms like a fast or irregular heartbeat, anxiety, heat intolerance, or shivering in people with very high thyroid levels. If the use of this medicine is stopped abruptly, it can lead to a condition called thyroid storm, where your body suddenly starts overproduction of thyroid hormones. Hence, treatment should gradually be stopped with dose reduction for 1-2 weeks under the supervision of your doctor.
Withdrawal symptoms
The use of S-Atenolol should not be stopped abruptly without consulting your doctor. You may feel symptoms like restlessness, change in pulse rate, confusion, etc. The dose of this medicine should be reduced gradually to keep these side effects away. It may also trigger more serious conditions like a heart attack.
Missed Dose
If you forget to take a dose of S-Atenolol, take it as soon as you remember. take it as soon as you remember. If it is time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take your next dose at the scheduled time. Do not double your dose to compensate for a missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. If you suspect that you might have taken an overdose of this medicine, seek immediate medical help.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Avoid drinking alcohol while taking S-Atenolol as it may increase the risk of symptoms like very low blood pressure, headache, dizziness, lightheadedness, fainting, and/or changes in pulse or heart rate.
Interaction with Medicine
Diclofenac
Disopyramide
Verapamil
Digitoxin
Indomethacin
Disease interactions
Asthma/ COPD
Use S-Atenolol with caution if you have asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD). S-Atenolol use can aggravate breathing difficulty and also worsen the symptoms of such respiratory conditions.
Peripheral vascular disease
S-Atenolol can widen blood vessels and reduce cardiac output (amount of blood pumped by the heart). This may worsen the symptoms of insufficient blood supply associated with peripheral vascular disease. Your doctor may suggest tests to monitor your heart functioning and adjust the dose of this medicine if required based on your condition.
Diabetes
S-Atenolol can mask the symptoms of low blood sugar if you have diabetes. Your doctor may monitor your blood sugar levels while on treatment with this medicine.
Kidney diseases
S-Atenolol filtered in the kidney and eliminated through urine. If you have kidney problems, use this medicine with caution as it may accumulate in the impaired kidneys and cause serious side effects. Your doctor may adjust the dose of this medicine and suggest tests to monitor your kidney function based on the clinical condition.
Food interactions
Using S-Atenolol together with multivitamins with minerals may reduce the effectiveness of this medicine. Take S-Atenolol 2 hours before taking multivitamins with minerals.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take S-Atenolol with or without food. Never take more than the prescribed dose. Do not give your medicine to other people even if their condition appears to be the same as yours.
Atenolol should not be taken with coffee as coffee can reduce the effectiveness of atenolol.
S-Atenolol may mask the symptoms of diabetes so regular monitoring of blood glucose levels is recommended.
Inform your doctor if you experience any undesirable effects or if you experience headaches after the first week of treatment.
Do not stop the use of this medicine without consulting your doctor. This could lead to serious side effects.
S-Atenolol It may make you feel drowsy and increase the risk of fall if you stand up suddenly, so it is advised that you stand up slowly and with some support.
Avoid driving vehicles or operating machines after taking this medicine as may cause dizziness.
Appropriate lifestyle changes like a low-fat diet, exercise, and smoking cessation should be done along with this medicine to get the best possible effect.
Keep the medicine away from the reach of children and pets. Do not use it after the expiry date. Ensure that unused medicine is disposed of properly.
Miscelleneous
How it works
S-Atenolol blocks the beta receptors which increases the heart rate and the heart's strength of contraction. This causes your heart to beat more slowly and less forcefully. It also helps to lower blood pressure and reduce strain on your heart.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Cardioselective beta blockers, Beta Blockers
Schedule
Schedule H
Pubchem.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. Esatenolol. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 March 2021].
Mims.com. 2021. S-atenolol: Indication, Dosage, Side Effect, Precaution | CIMS India. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 2 March 2021].
Team, E., 2021. esatenolol (CHEBI:31556). [online] Ebi.ac.uk. Available at: < [Accessed 29 September 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 1 Oct 2021
Disclaimer
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