Tenormin® (atenolol)
Alternative brand (trade) names:
What is Tenormin® ?
Tenormin belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It contains the medicine atenolol.
What is Tenormin® used for?
Tenormin is used to treat angina (chest pain caused by too little oxygen reaching the heart muscle) and high blood pressure (hypertension).
How does Tenormin® work ?
Tenormin belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. This means it blocks the action of two chemicals called adrenaline (a hormone carried in the blood) and noradrenaline (released from nerves in the heart) which control the heart rhythm. Tenormin stops these chemicals from attaching themselves (binding) to sites on heart cells called beta-receptors:
- It reduces the heart rate and the force of heart muscle contraction and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the heart rate and the force of muscle contraction, atenolol reduces heart muscle oxygen demand.
- Since angina occurs when the oxygen demand of the heart exceeds supply, Tenormin is helpful in treating angina.
How is Tenormin® given ?
Tenormin is supplied as tablets, syrup and as an injection.
It is very important to take this medicine as often as your doctor has told you to, even if you do not feel ill. This is because heart and blood pressure problems, if not treated, can get progressively worse.
It is also important to follow any lifestyle instructions that your doctor has given to you, like trying to give up smoking, reducing your weight, doing more exercise and eating a healthy diet.
Alternative brand (trade) names include Atenol, Prenormine and Tenormine. Atenolol is also found in Kalten, Nif-Ten and Tenoretic in combination with other medicines for treating high blood pressure.
Country specific information
To consult your local information.
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