Side Effects in Changing the Dosage of Atenolol

Atenolol is part of a group of drugs that are called "beta blockers." Beta blockers are often effective in relieving certain problems related to the heart and blood vessels, but Atenolol carries some potentially serious side effects with it. As is true of all medications, changing the dose of Atenolol should only be considered with the advice and approval of a doctor. Both increasing and decreasing the dosage can lead to serious side effects, as well as less serious issues.

Atenolol Basics

• Atenolol is a prescription medication that can treat several conditions that affect the heart or blood vessels. Atenolol has been successful in relieving chest pain, reducing high blood pressure, and improving the chances of survival after a heart attack for many patients. At the same time, it comes along with many risks and possible side effects, and changing the dosage without medical consent can exacerbate those side effects.

Increasing the Use of Atenolol - Serious Side Effects

• Increasing the use of Atenolol can lead to fainting spells, chest pain, numbness in the extremeties, confusion, arrhythmia (irregular heartbeat), or exacerbated asthmatic symptoms or heart issues. It can also cause severe allergic reactions, such as rashes, hives, swelling, wheezing, itching, or difficulty breathing or swallowing. All of these side effects should be presented to a doctor immediately.

Increasing the Use of Atenolol - Less Serious Side Effects

• A large percentage of people who take Atenolol experience fatigue, dizziness, shortness of breath, cold extremeties, or depression. Atenolol can also lower blood pressure to an unhealthy level or slow the heart rate.

Decreasing the Use of Atenolol - Serious Side Effects

• Reducing the dose of Atenolol can lead to an increased risk of heart attack. A heart attack usually results from a blockage of bloodflow to the heart. Half of all of heart attacks are fatal, so decreasing the dosage of Atenolol can carry serious risks.

  In addition, reducing the dose of Atenolol arbitrarily can cause arrythmias, or irregular heartbeat. Arrythmias causes the heart to pump much less effectively, which makes it a serious side effect. Certain cells in the heart normally act as the heart's "pacemaker," prompting it to pump regularly. When those cells cannot do their job effectively, arrythmias results. Arrythmias is often treated by implanting a manmade pacemaker in the heart.

Decreasing the Use of Atenolol - Less Serious Side Effects

• Stopping taking Atenolol can increase the risk of developing angina, which is chest discomfort or pain caused by a temporary lack of oxygen-rich blood flow to the heart. Angina usually results from clogged coronary arteries that have limited blood flow. If you were originally put on Atenolol to control angina, reducing the dosage may result in an increase in angina symptoms. Although angina itself is less serious than the other side effects of decreasing the use of Atenolol, it can put you at a greater risk for a heart attack.