Drug Name Dosages Therapeutic Indications Adverse effects Contraindicatio Nursing considerations

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atenolol  Available forms:  Blocks beta-  Treatment of  Allergic reactions:  Contraindicate Assessment
(a ten' o lole) Tablets—25, 50, 100 adrenergic angina Pharyngitis, d with sinus  History: Sinus
Apo-Atenolol mg; injection—5 receptors of the pectoris due to erythematous rash, bradycardia, bradycardia, second- or
(CAN), Gen- mg/10 mL sympathetic coronary fever, sore throat, second- or third-degree heart block,
Atenolol (CAN), nervous system atherosclerosi laryngospasm, third-degree cardiogenic shock, CHF,
Novo-Atenol ADULTS in the heart and s respiratory distress heart block, renal failure, diabetes or
(CAN),  Hypertension: juxtaglomerular cardiogenic thyrotoxicosis, lactation,
Tenormin Initially, 50 mg PO apparatus  Hypertension,  CNS: Dizziness, shock, CHF, pregnancy
once a day; after 1– (kidney), thus as a step 1 vertigo, tinnitus, pregnancy.  Physical: Baseline
Pregnancy 2 wk, dose may be decreasing the agent, alone fatigue, emotional weight, skin condition,
Category D increased to 100 excitability of the or with other depression,  Use cautiously neurologic status, P,
mg/day. heart, drugs, paresthesias, sleep with renal BP, ECG, respiratory
    Drug classes  Angina pectoris: decreasing especially disturbances, failure, status, renal and thyroid
 Beta1- Initially, 50 mg PO cardiac output diuretics hallucinations, diabetes or function tests, blood and
selective daily. If optimal and oxygen disorientation, thyrotoxicosis urine glucose,
adrenergic consumption,  Treatment of memory loss, (atenolol can cholesterol, triglycerides
response is not
blocker decreasing the MI slurred speech mask the
achieved in 1 wk,
 Antianginal increase to 100 mg release of renin usual cardiac Interventions
from the kidney,  Unlabeled  CV: Bradycardia, signs of
daily; up to 200  WARNING: Do not
 Antihyperten and lowering BP. uses: CHF, cardiac hypoglycemia
mg/day may be discontinue drug
sive Prevention of arrhythmias, and
needed. abruptly after long-term
migraine sinoatrial or AV thyrotoxicosis) therapy (hypersensitivity
headaches; nodal block, , lactation,
 Acute MI: Initially, 5 to catecholamines may
alcohol tachycardia, respiratory
mg IV given over 5 have developed,
withdrawal peripheral vascular disease.
min as soon as causing exacerbation of
syndrome, insufficiency,
possible after angina, MI, and
treatment of claudication, CVA,
diagnosis; follow ventricular arrhythmias).
ventricular and pulmonary edema,
with IV injection of 5 Taper drug gradually
supraventricul hypotension
mg 10 min later. over 2 wk with
ar arrhythmias
Switch to 50 mg PO monitoring.
 Dermatologic:
10 min after the last  Consult physician about
Rash, pruritus,
IV dose; follow with withdrawing drug if
sweating, dry skin
50 mg PO 12 hr patient is to undergo
later. Thereafter, surgery (withdrawal is
 EENT: Eye
administer 100 mg controversial).
irritation, dry eyes,
PO daily or 50 mg
conjunctivitis,
PO bid for 6–9 days Teaching points
blurred vision
or until discharge  Take drug with meals if
from the hospital.  GI: Gastric pain, GI upset occurs.
flatulence,  Do not stop taking this
PEDIATRIC PATIENTS constipation, drug unless told to do so
 Safety and efficacy diarrhea, nausea, by a health care
vomiting, anorexia, provider.
not established. ischemic colitis,  Avoid driving or
renal and dangerous activities if
mesenteric arterial dizziness or weakness
thrombosis, occurs.
retroperitoneal
fibrosis,  You may experience
hepatomegaly, these side effects:
acute pancreatitis Dizziness, light-
headedness, loss of
 GU: Impotence, appetite, nightmares,
decreased libido, depression, sexual
Peyronie's disease, impotence.
dysuria, nocturia,
frequent urination  Report difficulty
breathing, night cough,
 Musculoskeletal: swelling of extremities,
Joint pain, slow pulse, confusion,
arthralgia, muscle depression, rash, fever,
cramps sore throat.

 Respiratory:
Bronchospasm,
dyspnea, cough,
bronchial
obstruction, nasal
stuffiness, rhinitis,
pharyngitis (less
likely than with
propranolol)

 Other: Decreased
exercise tolerance,
development of
antinuclear
antibodies,
hyperglycemia or
hypoglycemia,
elevated serum
transaminase,
alkaline
phosphatase, and
LDH