Commonly prescribed for: Supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, premature ventricular contractions (PVC’s), and systemic hypertension
Species: Dogs and Cats
Therapeutic Class: Beta Adrenergic Blocker
Atenolol is a beta adrenergic blocker that is used in veterinary medicine to treat supraventricular tachyarrhythmia, premature ventricular contractions (PVC’s), and systemic hypertension. Beta blockers improve cardiac performance indirectly by reducing the heart rate; prolonging diastole, which allows more time for ventricular and coronary arterial filling.
The effects of atenolol on the cardiovascular system include decreased sinus heart-rate, slowed AV conduction, decreased cardiac output and oxygen demand, and decreased blood pressure. Beta-blockers may be cardioprotective in early cases of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy because they reduce myocardial oxygen demand. Atenolol is most commonly used with other cardiac anti-arrhythmic drugs. The bioavailability of atenolol is higher in dogs (80%) and cats (90%) than in humans. Atenolol undergoes minimal hepatic metabolism and is eliminated in the urine and to a lesser extent in the feces.
Dogs: Atenolol is used in dogs to treat arrhythmias, hypertension, obstructive heart disease, subvalvular aortic stenosis, and pulmonic stenosis. Atenolol may be used with other drugs, such as calcium channel blockers and ACEI drugs, in the treatment of systemic hypertension. When atenolol is used to treat atrial fibrillation in dogs, it is frequently used with digoxin.
Cats: Atenolol is used in cats to treat hypertrophic cardiomyopathy (HCM), left ventricular outflow tract obstruction, and hypertension secondary to hyperthyroidism.
Remember to tell your veterinarian about any medications, vitamins, supplements, or herbal therapies that you are giving to your pet.
Wedgewood provides medication options that help ensure accurate dosing, especially for hard to medicate pets. Click below for a complete list of Wedgewood’s dosing forms and strengths.
DOSAGE FORM | BENEFITS | STRENGTHS |
---|---|---|
Tiny Tabs | Compressed oral tablets that are smaller than a Tic-Tac® | 6.25 mg/tab to 12.5 mg/tab |
EZ Micro Dose | Transdermal applicator designed for easy handling and accurate dosing. | 1.5 mg/0.05ml to 12.5 mg/0.05ml |
Quad Tabs | Quarter-scored tablets for maximum flexibility in oral dosing. | 12.5 mg/tab to 25 mg/tab |
View all Atenolol options