Film Coated tablets with 50mg Atenolol.
Pharmacology: Mode of Action: VASCOTEN is a beta adrenoreceptor blocking drug which is cardioselective (it acts preferentially on beta-adrenergic receptors in the heart).
Its action to reduce heart rate and contractility seems to be the effective factor in treating angina symptoms.
VASCOTEN'S mode of action in hypertension is unclear.
VASCOTEN'S time of action on the heart as a beta adrenoreceptor blocking agent is at least 24 hours.
Management of hypertension and angina pectoris. Dysrhythmias.
Angina: Most patients with angina pectoris will respond to 100mg daily given as a single or divided dose. It is unlikely that additional benefit will be gained by increasing the dose.
Hypertension: 100mg daily. Most patients respond to 100mg daily given as a single dose. The effect of the initial dose will be fully established after one to two weeks. A further reduction in blood pressure may be achieved by combining Atenolol with other antihypertensive agents. For example co-administration of Atenolol with a diuretic provides a highly effective and convenient antihypertensive therapy.
Patients can be transferred to VASCOTEN from other antihypertensive treatments with exception of clonidine (see Precautions).
Excessive bradycardia may be countered by atropine, 1-2mg intravenously, and if necessary this may be followed by a beta stimulant, such as isoprenaline 25 micrograms initially or orciprenaline 0.5mg given as a slow intravenous injection. Care must be taken to ensure that the blood pressure does not fall too low if the dose of the beta-receptor agonist has to be increased.
VASCOTEN is contra-indicated in patients with second degree or third-degree heart block.
VASCOTEN must not be used in patients with untreated cardiac failure, but may be introduced with care when the failure has been brought under control. Where congestive cardiac failure appears during treatment with VASCOTEN, the drug may be temporarily withdrawn until the failure has been controlled. One of the pharmacological actions of VASCOTEN is to reduce heart rate. In the rare instances that symptoms may be attributable to the slow heart rate, the dose may be reduced.
VASCOTEN acts preferentially on cardiac beta-receptors. It can be used in patients with chronic obstructive airways disease. However, occasionally some increase in airways resistance may occur in asthmatic patients. In contrast to non-selective beta-blockers this bronchospasm may usually be reversed by commonly used dosage of bronchodilator preparations such as salbutamol or isoprenaline.
In patients suffering from ischaemic heart disease as with other beta-blocking agents, treatment with VASCOTEN should not be discontinued abruptly.
If VASCOTEN and clonidine are given concurrently the clonidine should not be discontinued until several days after the withdrawal of the beta-blocker (see also prescribing information on clonidine).
Anaesthesia: as with all beta receptor blocking drugs it may be decided to withdraw VASCOTEN before surgery. In this case 48 hours should be allowed to elapse between the last dose and anaesthesia. lf treatment is continued care should be taken when using anaesthetic agents such as ether, cyclopropane and trichloroethylene. Vagal dominance, if it occurs, may be corrected with atropine (1-2mg i.v.).
Use in Pregnancy: Like all other drugs. Atenolol should not be given in pregnancy unless its use is essential. There is no evidence of teratogenicity in animal studies.
Pregnancy: Like all other drugs. Atenolol should not be given in pregnancy unless its use is essential. There is no evidence of teratogenicity in animal studies.
In clinical studies the side-effects reported are usually attributable to its pharmacological actions and include coldness of the extremities, muscular fatigue and, in isolated cases, bradycardia. There have been reports of skin rashes and/or dry eyes associated with the use of beta adrenergic blocking drugs.
The reported incidence is small and in most cases the symptoms have cleared when treatment was withdrawn. Discontinuance of the drug should be considered if any such reaction is not otherwise explicable. Cessation of therapy with a beta-adrenergic blocker should be gradual.
Atenolol interacts with anesthetics, antidiabetic agents - oral or insulin, antihypertensives, diuretics, antiinflammatory analgesics, nonsteroidal (NSAIA), calcium channel blocking agents, cimetidine, clonidine, diazoxide, digitalis glycosides, lidocaine, nicotine, phenothiazines, reserpine, sympathomimetics, timolol and xanthines.
Store in a well closed container in a cool and dry place away from light.
C07AB03 - atenolol ; Belongs to the class of selective beta-blocking agents. Used in the treatment of cardiovascular diseases.
Vascoten tab 50 mg
100 × 10's