Atencar L

Atencar L Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Food Interaction and all others data.

The synthesis of atenolol resulted from attempts to produce a β-adrenoceptor antagonist that would competitively block β1 (cardiac) receptors but have no effect on β2-receptors. It is classified as a β1 selective (cardioselective) β-adrenergic receptor antagonist with no membranestability activity and no partial agonist activity. It is markedly the most hydrophilic of the currently available β- blockers and thus penetrates the lipid of cell membranes poorly

Atenolol is a cardio-selective beta-blocker and as such exerts most of its effects on the heart. It acts as an antagonist to sympathetic innervation and prevents increases in heart rate, electrical conductivity, and contractility in the heart due to increased release of norepinephrine from the peripheral nervous system. Together the decreases in contractility and rate produce a reduction in cardiac output resulting in a compensatory increase in peripheral vascular resistance in the short-term. This response later declines to baseline with long-term use of atenolol. More importantly, this reduction in the work demanded of the myocardium also reduces oxygen demand which provides therapeutic benefit by reducing the mismatch of oxygen supply and demand in settings where coronary blood flow is limited, such as in coronary atherosclerosis. Reducing oxygen demand, particularly due to exercise, can reduce the frequency of angina pectoris symptoms and potentially improve survival of the remaining myocardium after myocardial infarction. The decrease in rate of sinoatrial node potentials, electrical conduction, slowing of potentials traveling through the atrioventricular node, and reduced frequency of ectopic potentials due to blockade of adrenergic beta receptors has led to benefit in arrhythmic conditions such as atrial fibrillation by controlling the rate of action potential generation and allowing for more effective coordinated contractions. Since a degree of sympathetic activity is necessary to maintain cardiac function, the reduced contractility induced by atenolol may precipitate or worsen heart failure, especially during volume overload.

The effects of atenolol on blood pressure have been established, although it is less effective than alternative beta-blockers, but the mechanism has not yet been characterized. As a β1 selective drug, it does not act via the vasodilation produced by non-selective agents. Despite this there is a sustained reduction in peripheral vascular resistance, and consequently blood pressure, alongside a decrease in cardiac output. It is thought that atenolol's antihypertensive activity may be related to action on the central nervous system (CNS) or it's inhibition of the renin-aldosterone-angiotensin system rather than direct effects on the vasculature.

Atenolol produces CNS effects similar to other beta-blockers, but does so to a lesser extent due to reduces ability to cross the blood-brain barrier. It has the potential to produce fatigue, depression, and sleep disturbances such as nightmares or insomnia. The exact mechanisms behind these have not been characterized but their occurrence must be considered as they represent clinically relevant adverse effects.

Losartan, the first of a new class of antihypertensives, is a specific and selective antagonist of angiotensin II at the AT1 sites. Angitensin II is a potent vasoconstrictor, the primary vasoactive hormone of the renin-angiotensin system and an important component in the pathophysiology of hypertension. Losartan and its principal active metabolite block the vasoconstriction and aldosterone secreting effects of angiotensin II to the AT1 receptor found in many tissues. Losartan is now regarded as the first-line therapy option for treating high blood pressue.

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker used to treat hypertension, diabetic nephropathy, and to reduce the risk of stroke. Losartan has a long duration of action as it is given once daily. Patients taking losartan should be regularly monitored for hypotension, renal function, and potassium levels.

Trade Name Atencar L
Generic Atenolol + Losartan
Type Tablet
Therapeutic Class
Manufacturer Zee Laboratories Ltd
Available Country India
Last Updated: September 19, 2023 at 7:00 am
Atencar L
Atencar L

Uses

Atenolol is used for: Hypertension, Angina pectoris, Cardiac arrhythmia, Myocardial infarction

Losartan is an angiotensin II receptor blocker (ARB) used for:

  • Treatment of hypertension, to lower blood pressure in adults and children greater than 6 years old. Lowering blood pressure reduces the risk of fatal and nonfatal cardiovascular events, primarily strokes and myocardial infarctions.
  • Reduction of the risk of stroke in patients with hypertension and left ventricular hypertrophy. There is evidence that this benefit does not apply to Black patients.
  • Treatment of diabetic nephropathy with an elevated serum creatinine and proteinuria in patients with type 2 diabetes and a history of hypertension.

Atencar L is also used to associated treatment for these conditions: Alcohol Withdrawal Syndrome, Angina Pectoris, Atrial Fibrillation, Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Migraine, Myocardial Infarction, Refractory Hypertension, Secondary prevention Myocardial infarction, Supra-ventricular Tachyarrhythmias, Thyrotoxicosis, Ventricular TachyarrhythmiasDiabetic Nephropathy, Heart Failure, High Blood Pressure (Hypertension), Marfan Syndrome, Stroke

How Atencar L works

Atenolol is a cardioselective beta-blocker, called such because it selectively binds to the β1-adrenergic receptor as an antagonist up to a reported 26 fold more than β2 receptors. Selective activity at the β1 receptor produces cardioselectivity due to the higher population of this receptor in cardiac tissue. Some binding to β2 and possibly β3 receptors can still occur at therapeutic dosages but the effects mediated by antagonizing these are significantly reduced from those of non-selective agents. β1 and β2 receptors are Gs coupled therefore antagonism of their activation reduces activity of adenylyl cyclase and its downstream signalling via cyclic adenosime monophosphate and protein kinase A (PKA).

In cardiomyocytes PKA is thought to mediate activation of L-type calcium channels and ryanodine receptors through their phosphorylation. L-type calcium channels can then provide an initial rise in intracellular calcium and trigger the ryanodine receptors to release calcium stored in the sarcoplasmic reticulum (SR) and increased contractility. PKA also plays a role in the cessation of contraction by phosphorylating phospholamban which in turn increases the affinity of SR Ca2+

Similar inihibitory events occur in the bronchial smooth muscle to mediate relaxation including phosphorylation of myosin light-chain kinase, reducing its affinity for calcium. PKA also inhibits the excitatory Gq coupled pathway by phosphorylating the inositol trisphosphate receptor and phospholipase C resulting in inhibition of intracellular calcium release. Antagonism of this activity by beta-blocker agents like atenolol can thus cause increased bronchoconstriction.

Losartan reversibly and competitively prevents angiotensin II binding to the AT1 receptor in tissues like vascular smooth muscle and the adrenal gland. Losartan and its active metabolite bind the AT1 receptor with 1000 times more affinity than they bind to the AT2 receptor. The active metabolite of losartan is 10-40 times more potent by weight than unmetabolized losartan as an inhibitor of AT1 and is a non-competitive inhibitor. Losartan's prevention of angiotensin II binding causes vascular smooth muscle relaxation, lowering blood pressure.

Angiotensin II would otherwise bind to the AT1 receptor and induce vasoconstriction, raising blood pressure.

Dosage

Atencar L dosage

Hypertension: 50 mg once daily, the daily dose can be raised to 100 to 200 mg.

Angina pectoris: 50 to 100 mg daily.

Cardiac arrhythmia: Atenolol in low dose, 25-50 mg once daily, can be used in combination with digoxin to control the ventricular rate in atrial fibration or atrial flutter which is refractory to digoxin alone.

Hypertension:

  • Usual adult dose: 50 mg once daily.
  • Usual pediatric starting dose: 0.7 mg per kg once daily (up to 50 mg).

Hypertensive Patients with Left Ventricular Hypertrophy:

  • Usual starting dose: 50 mg once daily.
  • Add hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg and/or increase Losartan to 100 mg followed by an increase to hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg if further blood pressure response is needed.

Nephropathy in Type 2 Diabetic Patients:

  • Usual dose: 50 mg once daily.
  • Increase dose to 100 mg once daily if further blood pressure response is needed.

Use in elderly:

  • Patients up to 75 years: No initial dosage adjustment is necessary for this group of patients.
  • Patients over 75 years: A lower starting dose of 25 mg once daily is recommended.

Side Effects

In general, atenolol is well tolerated although in a small number of patients (approximately 2-3%) therapy must be withdrawn because of troublesome symptomatic adverse effects. The commonest of these are cold extrimities, fatigue, vivid dreams, insomnia, diarrhoea, constipation, impotence and paraesthesia. Bronchospasm has been occurred with atenolol although this is very much less common than with the non-selective β-blockers.

In controlled clinical trials in patients with essential hypertension, dizziness was the only side effect reported that occurred with an incidence greater than placebo in 1% or more of patients treated with Losartan. Rarely, rash was reported although the incidence in controlled clinical trials was less than placebo. Angioedema, involving swelling of the face, lips and/or tongue has been reported rarely in patients treated with Losartan. Serious hypotension (particularly on initiating treatment in salt-depleted patients) or renal failure (mainly in patients with renal artery stenosis) may be encountered during Losartan treatment.

Toxicity

LD50 Values

Mouse: 2 g/kg (Oral), 57 mg/kg (IV), 134 mg/kg (IP), 400 mg/kg (SC)

Rat: 2 g/kg (Oral), 77 mg/kg (IV), 600 mg/kg (SC)

Rabbit: 50 mg/kg (IV)

Carcinogenicity & Mutagenicity

Studies in rats and mice at doses of 300 mg/kg/day, equivalent to 150 times maximum recommended human dose, for durations of 18 and 24 months showed no carcinogenicity. One study in rats at doses of 500-1500 mg/kg/day, 250-750 times maximum human dose, resulted in increases benign adrenal medullary tumors in both sexes and increase mammary fibroadenomas in females.

Atenolol showed no mutagenicity in the Ames test using S. typhinarium, dominant lethal test in mice, or in vivo cytogenetics test in chinese hamster ovary cells.

Reproductive Toxicity

No adverse effects on fertility were observed in either male or female mice after receiving doses of 200 mg/kg/day, equivalent to 200 times the maximum human dose. In humans, atenolol is known to cross the placenta and fetuses exposed to the drug have been reported to be smaller than expected considering gestational age. Embryo-fetal resorption has been observed in rats at doses of 50mg/kg/day, 50 times the max human dose, but not in rabbits at doses of 25mg/kg/day.

Lactation

Atenolol appears in breast milk at a ratio of 1.5-6.8 to plasma concentrations. It has been estimated that infant exposure occurs at 5.7-19.2% maternal weight-adjusted dosage. Effects in infants include bradycardia, hypothermia, and lethargy.

The oral TDLO in mice is 1000mg/kg and in rats is 2000mg/kg. In humans the TDLO for men is 10mg/kg/2W and for women is 1mg/kg/1D.

Symptoms of overdose are likely to include hypotension, tachycardia, or bradycardia due to vagal stimulation. Supportive treatment should be instituted for symptomatic hypotension. Hemodialysis will not remove losartan or its active metabolite due to their high rates of protein binding.

Precaution

Patients already on a β-blocker must be evaluated carefully before Atenolol is administered. Atenolol may aggravate peripheral arterial circulatory disorders. Impaired Renal Function: Caution should be excised.

A lower dose should be considered for patients with a history of hepatic and renal impairment. Losartan should not be used with potassium-sparing diuretic

Interaction

Catecholamine-depleting drugs (e.g., Reserpine) and Calcium channel blockers may have an additive effect when given with Atenolol. Clonidine and aspirin may have some drug reactions.

No drug interaction of clinical significance has been identified. Compounds which have been studied in clinical pharmacokinetic trials include hydrochlorothiazide, digoxin, warfarin, cimetidine, ketoconazole and phenobarbital.

Volume of Distribution

Total Vd of 63.8-112.5 L. Atenolol distributes into a central volume of 12.8-17.5 L along with two peripheral compartments with a combined volume of 51-95 L. Distribution takes about 3 hrs for the central compartment, 4 hrs for the shallower peripheral compartment, and 5-6 hrs for the deeper peripheral compartment.

The volume of distribution of losartan is 34.4±17.9L and 10.3±1.1L for the active metabolite (E-3174).

Elimination Route

Approximately 50% of an oral dose is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, with the remainder being excreted unchanged in the feces. Administering atenolol with food can decrease the AUC by about 20%. While atenolol can cross the blood-brain barrier, it does so slowly and to a small extent.

Losartan is approximately 33% orally bioavailable. Losartan has a Tmax of 1 hour and the active metabolite has a Tmax of 3-4 hours. Taking losartan with food decreases the Cmax but does only results in a 10% decrease in the AUC of losartan and its active metabolite. A 50-80mg oral dose of losartan leads to a Cmax of 200-250ng/mL.

Half Life

6-7 hrs.

The terminal elimination half life of losartan is 1.5-2.5 hours while the active metabolite has a half life of 6-9 hours.

Clearance

Total clearance is estimated at 97.3-176.3 mL/min with a renal clearance of 95-168 mL/min.

Losartan has a total plasma clearance of 600mL/min and a renal clearance of 75mL/min. E-3174, the active metabolite, has a total plasma clearance of 50mL/min and a renal clearance of 25mL/min.

Elimination Route

85% is eliminated by the kidneys following IV administration with 10% appearing in the feces.

A single oral dose of losartan leads to 4% recovery in the urine as unchanged losartan, 6% in the urine as the active metabolite. Oral radiolabelled losartan is 35% recovered in urine and 60% in feces. Intravenous radiolabelled losartan is 45% recovered in urine and 50% in feces.

Pregnancy & Breastfeeding use

Pregnancy Category D. Caution should be exercised when Atenolol is administered to a nursing woman.

Although there is no experience with the use of Losartan in pregnant women, animal studies with Losartan potassium have demonstrated fetal and neonatal injury and death, the mechanism of which is believed to be pharmacologically mediated through effects on the renin angiotensinaldosterone system. Losartan should not be used in pregnancy and if pregnancy is detected Losartan should be discontinued as soon as possible.

It is not known whether Losartan is excreted in human breast milk. However, significant level of Losartan found in rat milk which suggests that the drug should not be used in lactating mother.

Contraindication

Atenolol is contraindicated for: Second and third degree heart block, Untreated heart failure, Overt cardiac failure, Cardiogenic shock.

It is also contraindicated to patients who are hypersensitive to any component of this product. In patients who are intravenously volume depleted (e.g. those treated with high dose diuretics), symptomatic hypotension may occur. These conditions Losartan potassium should be corrected prior to administer Losartan or a lower starting dose (usually 25 mg) should be used.

Special Warning

Safety and effectiveness in pediatric patients have not been established.

No initial dosage adjustment is necessary in patients with mild renal impairment (CrCl 20-50 ml/min). For patients with moderate to severe renal impairment (CrCl <20 ml/min) or patients on dialysis, a lower starting dose of 25 mg is recommended.

Acute Overdose

Overdosage with Atenolol has been reported with patients surviving acute doses as high as 5 gm. One death was reported in a man who may have taken as much as 10 gm acutely.

Limited data are available regarding overdose in humans. The most likely manifestation of overdose would be hypotension and tachycardia; bradycardia could occur from parasympathetic (vagal) stimulation. Supportive treatment should include repletion of the intravascular volume. Neither Losartan nor the active metabolite can be removed by hemodialysis.

Storage Condition

Store between 15-30°C

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