Drug interactions
Atenolol + Carbidopa-levodopa
Severity: Moderate
Atenolol and Carbidopa-levodopa: moderate 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
Levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, which may add to the blood-pressure lowering effect of atenolol. Patients may experience dizziness or falls, especially early in therapy.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atenolol and Carbidopa-levodopa can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken.
Atenolol belongs to Cardiovascular; Carbidopa-levodopa belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Additive hypotensive effects of levodopa-related vasodilation and autonomic effects with beta-blockade.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure including standing readings when starting levodopa, and reduce the atenolol dose if hypotension develops.
What to ask your pharmacist
- Should I take them at different times of day?
- Does the dose of either medicine need to change?
- Is there anything I should avoid, such as alcohol or certain foods, while on both?
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Other interactions of Carbidopa-levodopa
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Selegiline transdermal Contraindicated
- Carbidopa-levodopa + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
- Amisulpride + Carbidopa-levodopa Major
- Asenapine + Carbidopa-levodopa Major
Other interactions of Atenolol
- Amifostine + Atenolol Major
- Amiodarone + Atenolol Major
- Atenolol + Atenolol-chlorthalidone Major
- Atenolol + Betaxolol Major
- Atenolol + Bisoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Carvedilol Major
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atenolol with Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atenolol and Carbidopa-levodopa can affect each other. The combination is often manageable, but it may need a change of dose, a change of timing, or extra checks while both are taken. Levodopa can cause orthostatic hypotension, which may add to the blood-pressure lowering effect of atenolol. Patients may experience dizziness or falls, especially early in therapy.
How serious is the interaction between Atenolol and Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp rates it moderate, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Monitor blood pressure including standing readings when starting levodopa, and reduce the atenolol dose if hypotension develops.
What other medicines interact with Carbidopa-levodopa?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Carbidopa-levodopa with, for example, Isocarboxazid, Phenelzine, Selegiline transdermal. The full list is on the Carbidopa-levodopa page.
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