MED OF THE DAY: Atenolol (Tenormin)

Welcome to Med of the Day — new episodes drop every Monday. It's Med Monday!

In this episode: Atenolol (Tenormin) — hear that '-olol' suffix and think beta blocker. An antihypertensive and anti-anginal that blocks beta-1 stimulation, slowing the heart and relaxing vessels. Used for hypertension, angina, and MI prevention. The must-knows: check heart rate and blood pressure right before giving it; contraindicated in CHF, pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, bradycardia, and heart block; it can mask hypoglycemia symptoms in diabetes; and advise patients to change positions slowly to avoid orthostatic hypotension.

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