Drug interactions
Amiodarone + Atenolol
Severity: Major
Amiodarone and Atenolol: major interaction.
Last updated
For healthcare professionals — reference only. This page is a brief summary, not medical advice and not a substitute for official labeling or clinical judgement. Always verify before prescribing or dispensing.
Summary
Both drugs slow sinus rate and AV nodal conduction, so combined use can cause significant bradycardia, AV block or sinus arrest. The risk is highest in older patients and those with existing conduction disease.
What this interaction means in plain words
Amiodarone and Atenolol can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for.
Amiodarone belongs to Cardiovascular; Atenolol belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Additive negative chronotropic and dromotropic effects through beta-blockade and amiodarone's multichannel and beta-blocking actions.
What to do
Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor heart rate and PR interval, reducing the atenolol dose or stopping one agent if symptomatic bradycardia or block develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Does the benefit of taking both outweigh the risk in my case?
- Do I need any blood test, ECG or other check while on both?
- What early warning signs should I watch for, and what should I do if they appear?
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Other interactions of Atenolol
- Amifostine + Atenolol Major
- Atenolol + Atenolol-chlorthalidone Major
- Atenolol + Betaxolol Major
- Atenolol + Bisoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Carvedilol Major
- Atenolol + Clonidine Major
Other interactions of Amiodarone
- Amiodarone + Amisulpride Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Arsenic trioxide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dofetilide Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Dronedarone Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Droperidol Contraindicated
- Amiodarone + Eliglustat Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Amiodarone with Atenolol?
MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Amiodarone and Atenolol can interact in a way that may be serious. Using them together is sometimes necessary, but it needs a deliberate decision by the prescriber, a plan for monitoring, and clear advice on the warning signs to watch for. Both drugs slow sinus rate and AV nodal conduction, so combined use can cause significant bradycardia, AV block or sinus arrest. The risk is highest in older patients and those with existing conduction disease.
How serious is the interaction between Amiodarone and Atenolol?
MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Obtain a baseline ECG and monitor heart rate and PR interval, reducing the atenolol dose or stopping one agent if symptomatic bradycardia or block develops.
What other medicines interact with Atenolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atenolol with, for example, Amifostine, Atenolol-chlorthalidone, Betaxolol. The full list is on the Atenolol page.
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