Aten (atenolol) is a beta blocker primarily used to lower blood pressure and reduce the frequency and severity of angina, though it may be used to treat a variety of other heart or circulation issues as well. Less commonly Aten is used to help reduce symptoms of anxiety, including from alcohol withdrawal.

This product will lower blood pressure regardless of what it's prescribed for; patients should be sure to discuss this with the prescribing doctor, particularly those already taking blood pressure-lowering medications or who naturally have normal to low blood pressure.

Beta blockers like Aten are sometimes used to help reduce the frequency and severity of migraine headaches. There are many beta blockers available, however, and they're all different. In general patients have poor results with Aten's active ingredient---atenolol---and will likely have much better luck with propranolol or metoprolol.

What to Expect from Aten

Aten comes in tablets, typically taken once per day with or without food as desired. The medication may be used in a wide range of cardiovascular issues, particularly in hospital settings. At home, the majority of patients Aten to help manage:

• Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Angina (chest pain)
• Atrial fibrillation (irregular heart rate)
• Long QT syndrome (irregular heart beat)
• Tachycardia (rapid heart rate)
• Physical symptoms of anxiety

Lifestyle changes can also help a patient improve his condition, and can in some cases lead to discontinuation of medications, such as with hypertension. In other cases lifestyle changes may not be possible or have little effect, and patients will need to take Aten or a similar medication for the remainder of life.

Aten begins working about an hour after a tablet is taken and continues to produce effects for 12 to 24 hours. It will take about two weeks of administration before effects are maximized and results should be evaluated, however.

Treatment with Aten should not end abruptly; dosage should be gradually tapered down over several weeks. Abruptly ending treatment can produce dangerous complications.

Treating Cardiovascular Issues

In all cases treatment is best individualized, with a doctor taking into account personal variables like patient age, weight, other medical conditions, and so forth. Other medications are also commonly taken along with Aten, which may further influence dosage and administration schedules.

General treatment guidelines are:

• Start with 50 mg per day for two weeks, at which time effects should be evaluated.
• If needed dosage may be increased to 100 mg per day for two weeks, then effects evaluated.
• Most people find 50 to 100 mg to be sufficient. Rarely it may be increased to 200 mg per day.
• Tablets are typically taken once per day, but may be divided into two smaller daily doses.
• Tablets may be taken with or without food as desired.

For cardiovascular conditions treatment should be regular and continuous; tablets should be taken daily, usually over the long term. It is unusual for tablets to be taken for less than several months or years, assuming no serious side effects develop. Treatment may continue for as long as it provides benefit.

Treating Anxiety

Patients intending to use Aten for anxiety should understand that this medication only treats physical symptoms; it does not reduce mental symptoms of anxiety, nor does it reduce the frequency or severity with which it is experienced.

Physical symptoms the medication is good at addressing include:

• Rapid heartbeat
• Sweating
• Trembling voice
• Muscle tension
• Difficulty breathing

Because it does little for mental symptoms, it is not an ideal medication for long-term anxiety management. It is quite good at managing physical symptoms in some scenarios, however; Aten can be taken about an hour prior to an anticipated event that will likely produce physical symptoms, such as prior to giving a public speech or prior to flying.

Treatment is typically:

• Dosage ranges from 12.5 mg to 100 mg; the majority of patients find 25 to 50 mg effective.
• Take a dose about one hour prior to anticipated anxiety.
• A single dose may suffice, or if needed treatment may continue for several consecutive days provided at least 12 hours pass between doses.

Other medications that do address mental symptoms of anxiety may also be taken along with Aten, though patients should be sure to double-check with a doctor regarding the safety of mixing them.