Atenolol, or Tenormin, is a prescribed heart medication used to treat high blood pressure and angina, or chest pain caused by the narrowing of blood vessels to the heart muscle. This medication belongs to a group of drugs called beta-blockers, according to Drugs.com. Beta-blockers block receptors on the blood vessels related to constriction. Therefore, blocking these receptors causes blood vessels to dilate and reduce blood pressure and workload on the heart. A patient taking this medication should be aware of the possible side effects and know what to do if they occur.
Wheezing
The Mayo Clinic states that wheezing is a side effect associated with taking atenolol. This occurs because atenolol may block beta-receptors in the lung, which cause the airways of the lung to remain open. Therefore, blocking these receptors causes the airways to constrict. These effects may not be noticed in patients with normal, healthy lungs. However, those with asthma or other respiratory diseases may experience a severe difficulty in breathing. Before being prescribed atenolol, a patient should always let his doctor know of any current respiratory problems he is experiencing.
Irregular Heartbeat
An irregular heartbeat is a side effect associated with atenolol, according to the Mayo Clinic. This occurs because atenolol alters chemical signals that control heart rate. Specifically, blocking beta-receptors on the heart will cause a slowing of the heart rate, which is a normal effect of atenolol. However, in certain patients, blocking beta-receptors may result in a fast or irregular heartbeat. In this case, a patient should immediately let his doctor know that he is experiencing these side effects. The doctor may change the dosage or type of medication to prevent the side effect.
Upset Stomach
Atenolol may cause an upset stomach, according to the Mayo Clinic. This occurs because the digestive tract is also controlled by beta-receptors, among other types of receptors. Blocking these receptors can result in nausea or vomiting. These side effects may make it difficult to tolerate food or beverage and result in loss of appetite. A patient taking atenolol should always let his doctor know of side effects that this medication may be causing to prevent serious complications.
Fainting
The Mayo Clinic reports that fainting, or a loss of consciousness is a side effect of atenolol, although less common. This occurs because atenolol lowers blood pressure, but may cause blood pressure to become too low. When blood pressure in the brain is too low, the patient may faint. In this case, immediate emergency medical treatment is necessary. Emergency room doctors will likely administer intravenous fluids or give medications to raise blood pressure back to normal levels.
