Drug interactions
Atenolol + Ketamine
Severity: Moderate
Atenolol and Ketamine: 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
Ketamine usually stimulates sympathetic activity, but in catecholamine-depleted or beta-blocked patients it may act as a direct myocardial depressant. Beta-blockade can blunt the expected pressor response, producing hypotension or bradycardia.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atenolol and Ketamine 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; Ketamine belongs to Central Nervous System.
Why it happens
Beta-blockade blunts ketamine's sympathomimetic effects, unmasking direct myocardial depression.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and heart rate during induction and have vasopressors available.
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 Ketamine
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atenolol with Ketamine?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atenolol and Ketamine 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. Ketamine usually stimulates sympathetic activity, but in catecholamine-depleted or beta-blocked patients it may act as a direct myocardial depressant. Beta-blockade can blunt the expected pressor response, producing hypotension or bradycardia.
How serious is the interaction between Atenolol and Ketamine?
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 during induction and have vasopressors available.
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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