Atenolol
Trade name:
Normatin
Class: Beta-adrenergic
blocking agent
Pregnancy: (Category D)
Action: Beta-adrenoceptor blocking " anti
hypertensive, anti anginal" Uses:
• Hypertension.
• Angina pectoris.
Dose: by mouth,
Hypertension, 50 mg daily (higher doses rarely necessary)
Angina, 100 mg daily in 1
or 2 doses
Arrhythmias, 50–100 mg
daily
By intravenous injection, arrhythmias, 2.5 mg at a
rate of 1 mg/minute, repeated at 5-minute intervals to a max. Of 10 mg Contraindications:
• Bradycardia, C.H.F., cardiogenic shock, diabetes,
thyrotoxicosis, chronic bronchitis, asthma, bronchospasm, emphysema.
Side effects:
• Bradycardia, C.H.F., hypotension, cold extremities (due to
peripheral vasoconstriction), edema, dyspnia, shortness of breath, nausea,
vomiting, hepatomegaly and bronchospasm.
Nursing
considerations:
• For IV use, the drug may be diluted in sodium chloride,
dextrose, on dextrose saline.
• Instruct patient/family to take blood pressure and pulse.
• Provide written instructions as when to call physician (e.g. HR
below 50 beat/min).
• Instruct patient to dress warmly during cold weather.
•
Diabetic patient should be
very careful about symptoms of hypoglycemia.
Report any asthma-like symptoms.
