This article describes possible interactions with atenolol oral tablet. Interactions can cause a drug to have a different effect on the body than expected. Interactions can occur due to medications, alcohol, or certain health conditions.
Boxed warning: Risk of harm from suddenly stopping the drug in people with coronary artery disease
Atenolol has a boxed warning for the risk of harm from suddenly stopping the drug in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA). See the end of this article for more information about this warning.
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Other drugs and atenolol
The drugs in the list below may interact with atenolol oral tablet. This article doesn’t include all drugs that may interact with atenolol.
Drug classes or drugs that may interact with atenolol oral tablet include:
- alpha-blockers:
- calcium channel blockers (CCBs):
- certain diabetes drugs:
- drug examples: repaglinide and metformin (Fortamet, Glumetza)
- what might happen: can mask symptoms of low blood sugar
- heart rhythm drugs:
- drug examples: amiodarone (Pacerone) and disopyramide (Norpace)
- what might happen: can increase the effect of both the heart rhythm drug and atenolol
- monoamine oxidase inhibitors:
- drug examples: rasagiline (Azilect) and isocarboxazid (Marplan)
- what might happen: can increase the effect of atenolol
- nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs:
- drug examples: indomethacin and ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin)
- what might happen: can make atenolol less effective
- certain small molecule inhibitor drugs:
- digoxin (Lanoxin):
- what might happen: can increase the effect of both digoxin and atenolol
- mefloquine:
- what might happen: can increase the risk of cardiac arrest
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Get free cardWhen to avoid atenolol
Certain health conditions or other factors could increase some risks with atenolol oral tablet. Because of this, doctors may not prescribe atenolol in these cases. These health conditions or other factors are called contraindications.
Here’s a list of contraindications for atenolol oral tablet:
- Slow heart rate: If you have a slow heart rate, taking atenolol oral tablet may cause your heart to slow down more or stop.
- Severe heart failure: If you have severe heart failure, taking atenolol oral tablet may cause it to worsen even more.
- Breastfeeding: If you are breastfeeding, taking atenolol oral tablet may cause serious side effects in the child.
- Past allergic reaction to atenolol: If you’ve ever had an allergic reaction to atenolol oral tablet, taking it again may cause a life threatening allergic reaction.
Before you start taking atenolol, tell your doctor if anything listed above relates to you. They can recommend whether you should take atenolol.
Alcohol and atenolol
Atenolol oral tablet is not known to interact with alcohol. If you drink alcohol, talk with your doctor about whether it’s safe to consume it while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Other interactions and atenolol
Interactions can occur with supplements, foods, vaccines, and some lab tests. Below you can learn whether atenolol oral tablet has these interactions.
The information below doesn’t include all other possible interactions with atenolol.
Atenolol and supplements
Before taking atenolol oral tablet, tell your doctor and pharmacist about any herbs you take, as well as vitamins and supplements. Doing so may help you avoid interactions.
Atenolol oral tablet may interact with coenzyme Q10. People use this supplement for heart conditions, diabetes, migraine, and physical performance. Some people take it with a statin drug to reduce the risk of side effects from the statin. Taking atenolol oral tablet and coenzyme Q10 may lead to very low blood pressure.
Atenolol tablet may also interact with high doses of fish oil or omega-3 fatty acid supplements. People use these supplements for heart disease, high blood pressure, high cholesterol, and inflammation. Taking atenolol oral tablet and fish oil or omega-3 fatty acid supplements may lead to very low blood pressure.
If you have questions about interactions that may affect you, talk with your doctor or pharmacist.
Atenolol interactions with herbs
Atenolol oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any herbs. But this doesn’t mean interactions with herbs can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Atenolol interactions with vitamins
Atenolol oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vitamins. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vitamins can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, ask your doctor or pharmacist before taking any of these products while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Atenolol and food
Atenolol oral tablet isn’t known to interact with foods. But this doesn’t mean interactions with foods can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist about what foods you should avoid while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Atenolol and vaccines
Atenolol oral tablet isn’t known to interact with any vaccines. But this doesn’t mean interactions with vaccines can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before receiving any vaccines while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Atenolol and lab tests
Atenolol oral tablet isn’t known to interact with lab tests. But this doesn’t mean interactions with lab tests can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
Because of this, talk with your doctor or pharmacist before having any tests while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Atenolol and cannabis or CBD
Atenolol oral tablet isn’t known to interact with cannabis (commonly called marijuana) or cannabis products such as cannabidiol (CBD). But this doesn’t mean interactions can’t happen or won’t be identified later.
As with any drug or supplement, tell your doctor before taking cannabis with atenolol.
Note: Cannabis is illegal at a federal level but is legal in many states to varying degrees.
Health factors and atenolol
Certain medical conditions or other health factors may increase the risk of interactions with atenolol oral tablet. Keep in mind that interactions could lead to side effects or affect how well the drug works. Before taking atenolol, tell your doctor about your health history. They’ll determine whether atenolol is right for you.
These health conditions or other factors might interact with atenolol oral tablet:
- asthma or other lung problems
- circulation problems
- diabetes
- heart problems
- kidney problems
- overactive thyroid
- pheochromocytoma
- pregnancy or breastfeeding
- past allergic reaction to atenolol
Preventing atenolol interactions
You may be able to help avoid certain interactions with atenolol oral tablet. Before taking this drug, you may want to discuss possible interactions with your doctor and pharmacist.
Things to consider include:
- Other medications, as well as vitamins and supplements. Your doctor or pharmacist can help you fill out a medication list.
- What to do if you’re prescribed a new drug while taking atenolol oral tablet.
Taking atenolol exactly as prescribed can also help prevent interactions.
What to ask your doctor
If you have questions about atenolol and possible interactions, talk with your doctor.
Questions you may want to ask your doctor include:
- Could I still take atenolol even if it interacts with a health condition I have?
- Do other drugs that could treat my condition have similar interactions?
- Should I let you know if I make lifestyle changes, such as to my diet or exercise routine?
Boxed warning for atenolol
Atenolol has a boxed warning for the risk of harm from suddenly stopping the drug in people with coronary artery disease (CAD). A boxed warning is the most serious warning from the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).
In people with CAD, suddenly stopping atenolol can lead to serious side effects. These include severe attacks of angina (a type of chest pain), erratic heart rhythms, and heart attack.
Symptoms of these heart problems may include:
- chest pain or discomfort
- heart palpitations
- nausea
- pain in the jaw, neck, shoulder, or arm
- shortness of breath
If you have any of these symptoms, seek emergency medical care or call 911 right away.
Due to this risk, do not stop taking atenolol without first talking with your doctor. They can recommend a safe way to stop treatment with the drug. Even if you don’t have CAD, it’s important to stop atenolol safely. Because CAD doesn’t always cause symptoms, you may not know you have it.
To learn more, talk with your doctor.
Disclaimer: Optum Perks has made every effort to make certain that all information is factually correct, comprehensive, and up to date. However, this article should not be used as a substitute for the knowledge and expertise of a licensed healthcare professional. You should always consult your doctor or another healthcare professional before taking any medication. The drug information contained herein is subject to change and is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. The absence of warnings or other information for a given drug does not indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective, or appropriate for all patients or all specific uses.