Atenolol Question

[PSURT]

Hi

I am currently prescribed atenolol (50mg) by my cardiologist for HCM. This evening I was at Barnes and Noble and happened to pass by one of those gigantic books about drugs. Being curious I looked up atenolol and was kinda shocked to see the book listed that eating food with atenolol diminishes its effects (by 10% if I recall correctly). Is this true? I inquire because I always took it with food in the morning and my doctor never advised me of any special info concerning atenolol. Thanks.

Joe

[Sarah]

I always go by what the PDR (or other book/web site) says about a drug and actually not by what the doctor says because 1. doctors can't remember every little thing about every drug, nor do they and 2. I've had doctors tell me the wrong thing about medications waaaay too many times.

You can probably find the same info inthe medication index at mayoclinic.com or webmd.com, print it out, and show your doctor to see what he/she says.

S

[NoCrash]

My opinion is that consistency is key in many of these things. If you are going to take your atenolol around meal times, fine, be consistent about it so your dosage can be adjusted accordingly. Do discuss it with your doctor!

Rob

[PSURT]

Thanks for the replies. I was more so curious if anyone else has heard of this (not taking it with food/diminishing its affectiveness with food) than adjusting when I take it.

Joe

[mtlieb]

Joe,

Welcome to the board. :)

I've been taking atenolol for a few years now (100 mg/day) and have not noticed a difference when taking it with meals. According to PDRHealth (http://www.pdrhealth.com/drug_info/rxdrugprofiles/drugs/ten1434.shtml) it may be taken with or without food, and I trust the Physician's Desk Reference to have accurate information.

Jim

[NoCrash]

After re-reading the posts, let me add that like Jim, I took atenolol for years without much regard to meal times and the with/without food issue didn't seem to affect me. I'm taking a different beta-blocker, now--long story involved.

Another way of stating my earlier point: If you have been taking 50 mg/day at meal time and you've achieved satisfactory results then why change your med times to possibly increase effectiveness?

Cheers!
Rob