Skip to content

Drug interactions

Atenolol + Metoprolol

Severity: Major

Atenolol and Metoprolol: 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 are cardioselective beta blockers, so combining them is duplication of therapy. It adds the risk of bradycardia, hypotension and AV block with no extra benefit.

What this interaction means in plain words

Atenolol and Metoprolol 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.

Atenolol belongs to Cardiovascular; Metoprolol belongs to Cardiovascular.

Evidence level: Moderate

Why it happens

Additive pharmacodynamic beta-1 adrenergic blockade.

What to do

Avoid concurrent use and use a single beta blocker at an optimized dose. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure during any transition.

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?

Bring a full list of your medicines, including over-the-counter products, supplements and herbal remedies, to every pharmacy visit.

Pro+ members

Unlock the full page

Create an account and start a Pro+ trial to unlock the full management advice for Atenolol and Metoprolol, the additional notes, the evidence detail and the whole-prescription interaction checker.

  • Full clinical management advice
  • Additional notes
  • Evidence detail
  • Interaction checker for a whole prescription

Try Pro+ free for 14 days on the web. No card needed.

Frequently asked questions

Can I take Atenolol with Metoprolol?

MediHelp rates the interaction as major. Atenolol and Metoprolol 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 are cardioselective beta blockers, so combining them is duplication of therapy. It adds the risk of bradycardia, hypotension and AV block with no extra benefit.

How serious is the interaction between Atenolol and Metoprolol?

MediHelp rates it major, on a four-level scale (minor, moderate, major, contraindicated) based on published labels and references. What to do, in brief: Avoid concurrent use and use a single beta blocker at an optimized dose. Monitor heart rate and blood pressure during any transition.

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.

Full monographs, dosing and an interaction checker in the MediHelp app

Open the complete reference, check multi-drug interactions and use dosing tools in the MediHelp app.

Browse A–Z · Drug interactions

Get the app Sign in