Heart diseases more often than others lead to sad outcomes. Almost all of them can be successfully controlled, providing better health and a lower chance of attacks. Some drugs have been developed recently, but many doctors prefer to trust the long-known substances. Atenolol belongs to this category.
The instruction claims that this medicine helps to cope with a large number of different heart diseases, and not only: it is useful for angina pectoris, different types of tachycardia, myocardial infarction, symptoms that occur when addicts withdrawal from alcohol , and finally, with high blood pressure. It is also prescribed for Basedova’s disease (increased activity of the thyroid gland) for a time until substances that suppress the synthesis of thyroid hormones begin to act .
The drug was developed to replace propranolol, which penetrates the barrier between the brain and blood (blood-brain barrier). Unlike propranolol, atenolol cannot serve the purpose of migraine prophylaxis, although these are drugs of the same class. However, the inability of atenolol to penetrate the barrier has an advantage - there is no effect on the central nervous system and many side effects of propranolol.
This drug belongs to the class of drugs that cannot be undone suddenly. This can dramatically worsen your health and well-being. Therefore, you definitely need to talk about the abolition of atenolol with your doctor. Perhaps you will gradually lower the dose or transfer to a similar drug of a newer generation. Recently, it was noted that atenolol often provokes diabetes. Therefore, not everyone is prescribed this drug and not always for long. In general, this is an inexpensive medicine, and therefore is suitable for many. For example, Atenolol Acry is very inexpensive. Therefore, it is often prescribed to pensioners. Although it is the elderly that must be signified with caution.
How does atenolol work? The instruction explains that it reduces the oxygen demand of the heart muscle, because the heart rests more time while taking it. This explains the effect of angina pectoris.
Atenolol reduces the efficiency of pressure receptors, as a result, the brain does not respond to lowering the pressure. It also affects the production of angiotensin, suppresses it, as a result, the kidneys cannot affect by a complex reaction to pressure. Arrhythmias occur less frequently because tachycardia is suppressed, the activity of the nervous system, which has an exciting effect, decreases, pressure decreases - all these are factors that, without control, provoke rhythm disturbances.
Will atenolol work soon? The instruction assures that in an hour. The effect is maximum after 24 hours and will last another 24 hours, gradually fading away.
What are the contraindications? Atenolol is not prescribed for chronic heart failure. It will not suit those whose heart is enlarged, for example, training athletes. Atenolol during pregnancy should not be used categorically. It is very harmful to the baby, so during the use of atenolol, you must very carefully protect yourself from pregnancy, preferably several methods at once. If nevertheless the pregnancy has begun, urgently come to the doctor, let him pick up a remedy that is less harmful to the unborn baby. Atenolol instruction refers to the category of the most dangerous drugs for the fetus.
This drug should not be taken on the eve of any surgery. Therefore, tell the surgeon if you are taking this medicine.
Side effects include lethargy, leg swelling, vomiting, trouble falling asleep. Do not drink alcohol at the same time.
Atenolol is prescribed as one of the many means of the heart protection program, which also includes nutrition correction, weight loss, and constant physical exercise. Only a comprehensive application of the technique will help you significantly extend your life.