Atenolol
- Class: Beta-1 blocker
- Used for: high blood pressure
- Say it: uh-TEN-oh-lol
- Forms: tablet
Remember the name – A-TEN → at ten
ATENOLOL keeps the heart AT TEN, not at a hundred. The racing pulse is held to a walking pace.
It blocks beta-1 receptors on the heart and, unlike propranolol, stays largely out of the brain. Fewer nightmares and less fatigue — but also no use for tremor or stage fright.
ATENOLOL keeps the heart AT TEN, not at a hundred. The racing pulse is held to a walking pace.
It blocks beta-1 receptors on the heart and, unlike propranolol, stays largely out of the brain. Fewer nightmares and less fatigue — but also no use for tremor or stage fright.
Mnemonic: Atenolol leaves by the kidney; metoprolol by the liver
Both are beta-1 selective, so they act alike. The route of clearance is what decides which one suits a particular patient.
Both are beta-1 selective, so they act alike. The route of clearance is what decides which one suits a particular patient.
Side effects
Common: fatigue, cold hands, slow heart rate
Serious: heart block, rebound if stopped suddenly
Typical dose
25–100 mg once daily
Renally cleared, so reduce the dose as eGFR falls.
Check yourself
Which beta blocker accumulates when kidney function falls?
- Atenolol
- Metoprolol
- Carvedilol
- Propranolol
Show answer
A. Atenolol
Atenolol is water-soluble and renally cleared; the other three are lipid-soluble and handled by the liver. That single property explains the bradycardia in this patient.
See it, don't memorize it
The app has the mechanism comic and a patient case for Atenolol – plus the name link, the class mnemonic, pronunciation you can hear, and a self-check, for the top 100 drugs. One purchase, no subscription, no account.