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Atenolol for anxiety online
Atenolol is a generic medication prescribed to treat several health conditions, including anxiety disorders, migraines, high blood pressure, angina or chest pain, and to improve survival after a heart attack.
To find out if atenolol may be right for your anxiety symptoms, talk with a mental health specialist on Klarity Health.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy; a diagnosis, treatment, or prescription is not guaranteed.
Medically reviewed by Dr. Paul Hetrick
What is atenolol for anxiety?
Atenolol is the active ingredient in, and generic version, of brand name Tenormin. Tenormin was approved by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) in 1981 to treat high blood pressure or hypertension and chest pain in people with heart disease and for decreasing the risk of death in people after a heart attack.
Generic atenolol was approved by the FDA in 1991.
There are several off-label uses (uses it’s not FDA approved for) for atenolol, including anxiety disorders, migraine headaches, heart failure, tremors, irregular heartbeat, and alcohol withdrawal.
Atenolol is part of the drug class known as beta-blockers, which relax blood vessels and slow heart rate to boost blood flow, decrease blood pressure, reduce anxiety, and more.
How does atenolol for anxiety work?
As a beta blocker, atenolol for anxiety blocks the effects of adrenaline and noradrenaline on beta-1 receptors in the heart that bind to hormones known as catecholamines.
This binding of beta-1 receptors to catecholamines causes the heart to beat faster and harder. And blocking the beta-1 receptors with a beta-blocker like atenolol makes the heart beat more slowly, decreases blood pressure, and reduces the force of the heart’s contractions. Doing so decreases the workload on the heart, which is helpful for those with health conditions like hypertension or high blood pressure, angina pectoris or chest pain, certain heart conditions, and anxiety.
Anxiety can increase blood pressure, so the effect of a beta blocker like atenolol eases the physical symptoms of anxiety. Read more about the effects of anxiety on your heart.
The amount of atenolol in your plasma tends to peak around 3 hours after taking it. The prescription medication has a half-life of 6 to 7 hours, which is the amount of time it takes for half of the remaining medication to leave your system.
Atenolol stays in your system for about 32 hours, meaning it will work for at least 1 day to treat anxiety and other health conditions, which is why you only need to take 1 tablet per day. It may take even longer for atenolol to leave the system for those with kidney issues and older adults.
Who can take atenolol for anxiety?
Most people take atenolol as an FDA-approved medication to treat hypertension or high blood pressure, angina pectoris due to coronary atherosclerosis, and acute myocardial infarction. Angina pectoris or chest pain happens when the arteries that flow blood to the heart become blocked or narrow, which can occur because of the hardening of the arteries, also known as coronary atherosclerosis. Also known as a heart attack, acute myocardial infarction happens when the blood flow to your heart muscle is suddenly cut off, leading to heart tissue damage.
Providers can choose to prescribe atenolol for people with anxiety. Adults and some children can take atenolol for anxiety. And studies show it has a positive effect for adults with anxiety.
Some people shouldn’t take atenolol, including those who:
• Have ever experienced an allergic reaction to any medication
• Have a slow heart rate or low blood pressure, also known as hypotension
• Are breastfeeding, already pregnant, or trying to get pregnant
• Have asthma or lung disease
• Have metabolic acidosis, a condition in which there’s too much acid found in your blood
• Have Raynaud’s phenomenon, which can cause your toes and fingers to turn blue, tingle, or turn paler than normal
How to get an atenolol for anxiety prescription online
If you want to get a prescription for atenolol for anxiety online, you need to see a healthcare provider with a license to prescribe medications and who determines that atenolol is medically necessary for you. Prescribing healthcare providers include psychiatrists and physicians (MDs), physician assistants/associates (PAs), psychiatric nurse practitioners (PMHNP), and nurse practitioners (NPs).
Find a board-certified, licensed provider who specializes in treating mental health conditions like anxiety, post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD), depression, and obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD) on Klarity Health.
Note that regulations in some states require at least one in-person visit before a provider can prescribe a medication. To find out what’s required in your state visit the Center for Connected Health Policy’s site.
Atenolol for anxiety dosages and how to use it
Atenolol comes as an oral tablet in 25-, 50-, and 100-milligram strengths. There’s no recommended dose for anxiety. If your provider prescribes atenolol for you for anxiety, they’ll work with you on the correct dosage.
When atenolol is prescribed for high blood pressure, the prescribed dose is typically between 25 milligrams and 100 milligrams, taken 1 time per day.
The initial dose of atenolol or Tenormin is 50 milligrams for FDA-approved uses, taken as 1 tablet per day. The full effect is usually seen within 1 to 2 weeks. If an optimal response isn’t achieved, the dosage can be increased to 100 milligrams, given as 1 tablet a day. Increasing the dosage beyond 100 milligrams a day is unlikely to provide any further benefit for hypertension, but it may provide a benefit for angina pectoris.
Swallow your atenolol or Tenormin tablet whole with water and without crushing or breaking it. Since the medication doesn’t typically upset the stomach, you can take atenolol either with or without food.
Store atenolol in a closed container at room temperature, away from direct light, moisture, heat, or freezing temperatures. And if you or someone you know overdoses on atenolol, call 911 or your local poison control center immediately.
Atenolol side effects and warnings
The most common side effects when taking atenolol for anxiety include sweating, cold hands or feet, chest tightness, blurred vision, confusion, unusual weakness or tiredness, difficulty breathing, nausea, bradycardia, and lightheadedness or dizziness when getting up from a sitting or lying position. Most side effects are mild and don’t last long.
There are also less common side effects of atenolol, including coughing, noisy breathing, leg pain, a fast heartbeat, cold sweats, chills, anxiety, chest discomfort or pain, an irregular or slow heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, and fainting. There’s a risk of hypoglycemia when you take atenolol for anxiety while fasting or vomiting.
Rare adverse effects include lower back or side pain, weight gain, loss of appetite, increased thirst, increased blood pressure, swelling of the lower legs, fingers, or face, decreased amount or frequency of urine, bloody urine, and vomiting.
Your provider will need to evaluate you before prescribing you atenolol for anxiety, especially if you’re already on another beta blocker. And there are people who shouldn’t take beta blockers, including those with:
- Hypoglycemia, or low blood sugar
- Raynaud’s phenomenon
- Low blood pressure or slow heart rate
- Specific kinds of arrhythmias
- Moderate to severe asthma
People should also take the drug with caution if they have diabetes or impaired renal function.
There are potential interactions between atenolol and other drugs, including:
- Other beta blockers
- Catecholamine-depleting drugs
- Calcium channel blockers
- Disopyramide
- Amiodarone
- Clonidine
- Prostaglandin synthase inhibiting drugs
- Digitalis glycosides
If you take atenolol or Tenormin and have any side effects, work with your provider and consider reporting negative side effects to the FDA by visiting MedWatch or calling 1-800-FDA-1088.
What does atenolol for anxiety cost?
Drugs.com lists the cost for atenolol with its discount at $11.39 to $15.81 for 30 50-milligram tablets, which will last 1 month if you take 1 tablet per day. Brand name Tenormin costs significantly more than generic atenolol. Drugs.com shows a cost for 90 25-milligram oral Tenormin tablets as $1,275.
If your insurance covers atenolol for anxiety or brand name Tenormin, you most likely only need to pay your copay, possibly after meeting your deductible, depending on how your insurance plan is set up. Whether or not you have insurance, you can use prescription discount sites, like GoodRx, Optum Perks, SingleCare Rx, drugs.com, or NeedyMeds to save money on the cost of your prescription for atenolol for anxiety.
How does atenolol compare to other anxiety medications?
Xanax (alprazolam) is another prescription medication approved by the FDA in 1981 to manage anxiety and panic disorders. It’s the most commonly used benzodiazepine for anxiety disorders, panic disorders, and panic attacks in the U.S.
Xanax is meant for short-term use instead of long-term use. There are several common side effects of taking Xanax, including dry mouth, nausea, constipation, sleepiness, issues with memory and coordination, problems with saying words clearly, and changes in libido.
Propranolol, sold under the brand name Inderal, is used to treat anxiety as well as health conditions like high blood pressure, angina or chest pain, and migraines. Inderal (propranolol) was first approved by the FDA in 1967 and is commonly prescribed off-label to treat the physical symptoms of anxiety, including sweating and rapid heart rate. Its side effects include changes in sleep patterns, cold hands and feet, gastrointestinal issues, fatigue, and dizziness.
A 2020 study published in Military Medicine found that patients prefer using atenolol for anxiety over propranolol. Atenolol may be better tolerated and more effective for people with anxiety.
The best way to find out which anxiety medication is best for you, if any, is to talk to an anxiety provider. Learn more about finding the right provider for you on Klarity Health.
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With Klarity Health, you’re in good company
Reviews from real patients who received treatment from healthcare providers on Klarity Health.
How Klarity Health works
Choose the right provider for you
Providers on Klarity Health are licensed, board-certified, and offer a personalized approach to your unique anxiety treatment needs. See detailed profiles for each provider and find an approach that’s best for you. (Costs for treatment options may vary.)
Have your initial patient visit
Your journey to reduced anxiety symptoms starts with an initial consultation. Your provider will work with you to recommend the anxiety treatment plan for you and that may or may not include prescription medication and/or therapy.
Work with your provider on your progress
Your initial anxiety consultation is just the beginning. You and your provider will follow up to make sure you’re doing okay and are reaching your goals. You stay on track with ongoing support from your provider(s) and medication refills if needed.
Access 24×7 support from Klarity Health
If you have questions or need assistance, the Klarity Health Patient Support team is there to help. Along with your provider, they’re committed to making sure you have the best care and support throughout treatment.
Access online anxiety treatment for you and about you
You’re unique. And your needs are too. You deserve treatment from a provider committed to you. That’s why you can find an anxiety specialist on Klarity Health and access:
Anxiety assessment online in as little as 24 hours*
from a licensed, board-certified healthcare professional.
Anxiety medication prescribed online
or off through treatment tailored to you.**
Therapy for anxiety
online or in person and that’s supportive and comes with no hidden fees.
**Your provider will discuss treatment options with you, which may or may not include medication and/or therapy. If both therapy and medication are recommended, you’ll see a different provider for each service.
FAQs about atenolol for anxiety
Learn more about atenolol and anxiety medications
Anxiety articles
*Appointments are generally available within 24 hours. Free initial consultations are available only with select providers. Prescriptions, particularly for controlled substances, may require an in-person evaluation depending on the state of residence and current federal regulations.
The information provided in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be construed as medical advice. Controlled substances may not be appropriate for all patients and any mention of these medications is for educational purposes only, not for marketing or encouraging self-diagnosis. Always seek the guidance of a qualified healthcare professional with any questions or concerns you have regarding your health. Providers on Klarity Health are independent practitioners with clinical autonomy. Nothing in this article is intended to diagnose or treat any condition, including guaranteeing prescription medication of any kind or dosage. Not all providers on Klarity Health prescribe all medications, particularly medications that are controlled substances.
If you’re having a mental health crisis or experiencing a psychiatric emergency, it’s crucial to seek immediate help from a mental healthcare professional, such as a psychiatrist, psychologist, or therapist. You can also call your local emergency services, visit your nearest emergency room, or contact a crisis hotline, such as the National Suicide Prevention Lifeline, by calling or texting 988 or dialing the Lifeline’s previous phone number, 1-800-273-TALK (1-800-273-8255) in the U.S.
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide medical services.
Phone:
PO Box 5098 Redwood City, CA 94063
100 Broadway Street, Redwood City CA, 94063
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ABOUT US
All professional services are provided by independent private practices via the Klarity technology platform. Klarity Health, Inc. does not provide medical services.
Phone:
PO Box 5098 Redwood City, CA 94063
100 Broadway Street, Redwood City CA, 94063
If you’re having an emergency or in emotional distress, here are some resources for immediate help: Emergency: Call 911. National Suicide Prevention Lifeline: call or text 988. Crisis Text Line: Text HOME to 741741.
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