Atenolol is a drug belonging to the group of beta blockers, a class of drugs used primarily in cardiovascular diseases. Introduced in 1976, Atenolol was developed as a replacement for propanolol in the treatment of hypertension. Hypertension is a clinical condition in which the arterial blood pressure in rest exceeds constantly 140/90 mm Hg (as defined by the World Health Organization). Hypertension is a risk factor for stroke, myocardial infarction (heart attack), and serious renal damage.

Propranolol is known to readily cross the blood-brain barrier (BBB) and can pass into the brain, causing side-effects such as depression and nightmares; atenolol was specifically developed to be unable to pass through the blood-brain barrier in order to prevent this effect.

Pharmacology and Indications

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Atenolol (trade name Tenormin) can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, and treatment of myocardial infarction after the acute event. Patients with compensated congestive heart failure may be treated with Atenolol as a comedication (usually together with an ACE inhibitor, a diuretic and a digitalis-glycoside, if indicated). In patients with congestive heart failure, it reduces the need for and the consumption of oxygen of the heart muscle. It is very important to start with low doses, as atenolol reduces also the muscular power of the heart, which is an undesired effect in congestive heart failure.

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