Tenormin Uses

Tenormin is licensed to control high blood pressure, relieve chest pain caused by angina, and improve survival following a heart attack. Some "off-label" uses for Tenormin include treating hyperthyroidism, anxiety, and arrhythmias. It can also be used off-label to treat a number of conditions in children (for example, slowing down the progression of aortic dilation in children with Marfan syndrome).

Tenormin Tablets

What Is Tenormin Used For? -- An Overview

Tenormin^®(atenolol) has been licensed to treat a number of conditions. These uses include:

High blood pressure control
Relief of chest pain caused by angina
Treatment following a heart attack to improve survival.

High Blood Pressure

A blood pressure reading consists of two numbers (for example, 120/80). The top number is known as the systolic blood pressure, and the bottom number is the diastolic blood pressure. High blood pressure (hypertension) is defined as an average blood pressure higher than 140/90 with multiple blood pressure readings.

In clinical studies, Tenormin has been shown to significantly lower systolic and diastolic blood pressure. The higher the Tenormin dosage, the greater the drop in blood pressure is expected to be, up to a dose of 100 mg daily (at higher doses, no further blood pressure reduction is expected). By lowering blood pressure, Tenormin can decrease the risks that occur with long-term high blood pressure (see Effects of High Blood Pressure). The medication does not, however, cure high blood pressure.

Angina

Angina is a type of heart disease that occurs when the heart muscle is not getting enough nutrient- and oxygen-rich blood for a short time. The inadequate blood flow is caused by narrowed coronary arteries (the blood vessels that supply blood to the heart). Chest pain is the most common angina symptom that occurs (see Angina Symptoms for more information).

Tenormin is effective at treating symptoms of angina because it decreases the workload of the heart. This, in turn, means that the heart needs less oxygen- and nutrient-rich blood to function properly at any given level of effort. Tenormin does not cure this type of heart disease, however.

(Tenormin Uses Continued: Page 2)