How to Stop Taking Atenolol Safely, Plus 3 More Tips for Taking It

Atenolol (Tenormin) is a popular beta blocker that’s used to treat high blood pressure and chest pain (angina). It's also sometimes prescribed to help lower the risk of death after a heart attack. Atenolol helps slow down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood.

One warning that’s usually emphasized when taking atenolol is not to stop it suddenly. Doing so can cause potentially dangerous withdrawal symptoms, such as chest pain. But if you do need to stop taking atenolol, how can you do so safely? Below you’ll find four tips for taking atenolol, including the safest way to stop taking it if needed.

1. A healthcare professional can help you to stop taking atenolol safely

You should talk to a healthcare professional before stopping or lowering your dose of any medication, especially blood pressure medications. This is particularly important for beta blockers such as atenolol. Suddenly stopping atenolol can be dangerous.

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What’s more, the conditions atenolol helps manage are chronic conditions. Your medication will only work if you’re taking it consistently. Stopping atenolol can cause your condition to worsen.

If you need to stop taking atenolol, your prescriber can help you do it safely. Generally, this involves lowering your dose slowly over several weeks. This is called a medication taper. By tapering your medication, it gives your heart rate and blood pressure time to readjust to how they were before you started atenolol.

It’s important to keep in mind that atenolol tapers are unique for each person and depend on your health conditions and current atenolol dosage. Your prescriber will review your medical history when deciding the safest way for you to stop atenolol (if appropriate). So be wary of any atenolol tapering schedules you might find on the internet. These could be dangerous to follow since they don’t account for your specific health history.

What happens if you stop taking atenolol suddenly?

Suddenly stopping atenolol can cause “beta blocker rebound” (also called beta blocker withdrawal). Symptoms usually start within the first few days of stopping your medication and may include:

• Increased blood pressure, including dangerously high blood pressure

• Chest pain

• Abnormal heart rhythms

• Increased heart rate

• Heart attack

These withdrawal symptoms can be life-threatening in severe cases, especially for people with certain health conditions. For example, if you’re taking atenolol for high blood pressure, you’ll be four times more likely to have serious cardiovascular events, such as a heart attack or stroke, if you stop taking it suddenly. If you’re taking atenolol as part of treatment after a heart attack, you’ll have a higher risk of hospitalization and death if you abruptly stop it.

EXPERT PICKS: WHAT TO READ NEXT

• Compare options: Atenolol is one of several beta blockers on the market. Read about commonly prescribed beta blockers and what they’re used for here.

• Stay consistent: Stopping atenolol suddenly can be dangerous. Read more about why you shouldn’t stop taking your blood pressure medication without a healthcare professional’s OK.

• Fatigue as a side effect: Atenolol isn’t the only heart medication that can cause fatigue. Read about which blood pressure medications can make you tired and ways to help manage it.

Withdrawal symptoms can also happen if you accidentally miss too many doses of atenolol in a row. It only takes a few days after abruptly stopping atenolol before withdrawal symptoms start to appear.

If you’ve unexpectedly run out of medication or forgotten your atenolol while traveling, talk to a pharmacist. Most states have laws that allow pharmacists to give an emergency refill or temporary supply on necessary medications.

2. You can take atenolol at any time of day

Many people take atenolol once a day. It’s fine to take it at any time of the day, but it’s important to be consistent. Each dose works for about 24 hours, so taking it around the same time each day is key.

It’s a good idea to find a time of day that works for you and your lifestyle. Combining your dose with a part of your daily routine, such as taking it with breakfast, can help you remember it. Keeping your prescription bottle where you can see it can be a helpful reminder to take your medication. Setting reminders on your phone is another good way to make it a habit.

Consider taking atenolol at bedtime if you’re having trouble with side effects such as dizziness or fatigue. You have the highest amount of atenolol in your system about 2 to 4 hours after you take your dose, so taking it at bedtime might help you sleep through the time when side effects are most noticeable.

Good to know: Some people take atenolol twice a day after a heart attack. If you’re taking atenolol twice a day, it’s ideal to separate your doses by about 12 hours.

3. You can take atenolol with or without food

You can take atenolol with or without food. Generally, there aren’t any foods that have an interaction with atenolol.

There are, however, still certain foods you may want to avoid if you have high blood pressure. These include salty foods, alcohol, and caffeinated items, such as coffee. All of these can raise your blood pressure and make it harder for atenolol to work effectively.

4. There are ways to manage fatigue from atenolol

Feeling fatigued is a common side effect of atenolol and all beta blockers. It can be disruptive to daily life and is one of the most common reasons why people want to stop taking beta blockers. But patience and persistence are key.

Fatigue is usually more bothersome when first starting atenolol and fades with time. One study found that less than 2% of people taking beta blockers have trouble with fatigue long term.

In the meantime, there are ways to help manage fatigue. As mentioned earlier, taking your atenolol dose at bedtime can sometimes help reduce daytime fatigue. You should also make an effort to get enough sleep, eat nutrient-dense foods, and exercise routinely.

Fatigue from atenolol is usually mild and goes away on its own. But check in with a healthcare professional if your fatigue symptoms remain bothersome or if you have any of the following:

• Additional symptoms such as dizziness when standing, feeling like you are going to pass out, chest pain, or shortness of breath

• Low blood pressure (your prescriber can provide a blood pressure range that’s ideal for you)

• Slow heart rate (your prescriber can provide a heart rate range that’s ideal for you)

• Fatigue that interferes with your ability to drive safely, do your job, or perform daily activities

How to save on atenolol

There are ways to save on atenolol, which is available as both a brand-name and generic medication. GoodRx can help you save over 60% off the average retail price of the generic version. Atenolol’s price at certain pharmacies is as low as $4.00 with a free GoodRx discount.

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Written by:

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh

Tegan Smedley, PharmD, APh, has 10 years of experience as a pharmacist. She has worked in a variety of settings, including retail, hospital, and ambulatory care.

Edited by:

Christina Aungst, PharmD

Christina Aungst, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She began writing for GoodRx Health in 2019, transitioning from freelance writer to editor in 2021.

Reviewed by:

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD

Stacia Woodcock, PharmD, is a pharmacy editor for GoodRx. She earned her Doctor of Pharmacy degree from the University of Kentucky and is licensed in New York and Massachusetts.

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