Drug interactions
Atenolol + Nitroglycerin rectal
Severity: Moderate
Atenolol and Nitroglycerin rectal: 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 blunts the reflex tachycardia caused by nitroglycerin, while the hypotensive effect remains. The combination is useful in angina but can cause excessive hypotension or dizziness.
What this interaction means in plain words
Atenolol and Nitroglycerin rectal 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.
Why it happens
Additive hypotension from venodilation and beta-blockade, with loss of compensatory tachycardia.
What to do
Monitor blood pressure and symptoms of orthostasis, and reduce the dose of either agent if hypotension occurs.
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
Frequently asked questions
Can I take Atenolol with Nitroglycerin rectal?
MediHelp rates the interaction as moderate. Atenolol and Nitroglycerin rectal 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 blunts the reflex tachycardia caused by nitroglycerin, while the hypotensive effect remains. The combination is useful in angina but can cause excessive hypotension or dizziness.
How serious is the interaction between Atenolol and Nitroglycerin rectal?
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 symptoms of orthostasis, and reduce the dose of either agent if hypotension occurs.
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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