Drug interactions
Atenolol + Ephedrine
Severity: Moderate
Atenolol and Ephedrine: 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
Atenolol can reduce the bronchodilator and cardiac effects of ephedrine. Blockade of beta receptors may leave alpha-mediated vasoconstriction unopposed, which can cause a rise in blood pressure with reflex bradycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atenolol and Ephedrine 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; Ephedrine belongs to Cardiovascular.
Why it happens
Pharmacodynamic antagonism between a beta-blocker and a mixed adrenergic agonist.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate when ephedrine is given to patients on atenolol, and adjust the dose or choose an alternative if the response is poor or hypertensive.
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 Atenolol
- Amifostine + Atenolol Major
- Amiodarone + Atenolol Major
- Atenolol + Atenolol-chlorthalidone Major
- Atenolol + Betaxolol Major
- Atenolol + Bisoprolol Major
- Atenolol + Carvedilol Major
Other interactions of Ephedrine
- Ephedrine + Isocarboxazid Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Phenelzine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Procarbazine Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Rasagiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Selegiline Contraindicated
- Ephedrine + Tranylcypromine Contraindicated
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atenolol with Ephedrine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atenolol and Ephedrine 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 can reduce the bronchodilator and cardiac effects of ephedrine. Blockade of beta receptors may leave alpha-mediated vasoconstriction unopposed, which can cause a rise in blood pressure with reflex bradycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Atenolol and Ephedrine?
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 and heart rate when ephedrine is given to patients on atenolol, and adjust the dose or choose an alternative if the response is poor or hypertensive.
What other medicines interact with Atenolol?
MediHelp also lists interactions of Atenolol with, for example, Amifostine, Amiodarone, Atenolol-chlorthalidone. The full list is on the Atenolol page.
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