This medication comes in tablet form and is available in three different strengths. The pills are typically taken once a day, with or without food. It is recommended to take the drug at the same time each day to maintain an even level of atenolol in your blood. You should not stop taking the pills without talking to your healthcare provider, as stopping atenolol abruptly increases the risk of serious side effects.
Atenolol belongs to a class of medicines known as
beta blockers. It works by blocking a specific type of beta receptor called beta-1 receptors. By blocking beta-1 receptors, atenolol causes the reverse effect of adrenaline. It decreases heart rate,
systolic and diastolic blood pressure, and the workload of the heart. This means that the heart requires less blood and oxygen to work properly.
(Click Atenolol for more information on when and how to take this medicine, to learn more about its effects, and to find out what you should discuss with your healthcare provider before starting treatment.)
