Harten-25 Tablet	Atenolol 25 mg.
Harten-50 Tablet	Atenolol   50 mg.

 

Amlonova       Tablets

Atenolol is a β₁ receptor specific antagonist, a drug belonging to the group of β-blockers, a class of drugs used primarily in cardiovascular diseases. Introduced in 1976, atenolol was developed as a replacement for propranolol in the treatment of hypertension. The chemical works by slowing down the heart and reducing its workload. There is no evidence to suggest that it is addictive.^[1] Unlike Propranolol, Atenolol does not pass through the blood-brain barrier thus avoiding various CNS side effects.^[2]

Whilst Atenolol, the most widely used β-blocker in the United Kingdom, was once first-line treatment for hypertension, the role for β-blockers in hypertension was downgraded in June 2006 in the United Kingdom to fourth-line as they perform less well than other drugs, particularly in the elderly, and there is increasing evidence that the most frequently used β-blockers at usual doses carry an unacceptable risk of provoking type 2 diabetes

Indications

Atenolol (trade name Tenormin) can be used to treat cardiovascular diseases and conditions such as hypertension, coronary heart disease, arrhythmias, angina (chest pain) and to treat and reduce the risk of heart complications following myocardial infarction (heart attack)

Due to its hydrophilic properties, the drug is less suitable in migraine prophylaxis compared to propranolol, because for this indication, atenolol would have to reach the brain in high concentrations, which is not the case (see below).

Atenolol is a so-called β₁-selective (or 'cardioselective') drug. That means that it exerts greater blocking activity on myocardial β₁-receptors than on β₂ ones in the lung. The β₂ receptors are responsible to keep the bronchial system open. If these receptors are blocked, bronchospasm with serious lack of oxygen in the body can result. However, due to its cardioselective properties, the risk of bronchospastic reactions if using atenolol is reduced compared to nonselective drugs as propranolol. Nonetheless, this reaction may also be encountered with atenolol, particularly with high doses. Extreme caution should be exerted if atenolol is given to asthma patients, who are particularly at risk; the dose should be as low as possible. If an asthma attack occurs, the inhalation of a β₂-mimetic antiasthmatic, such as hexoprenalin or salbutamol, will usually suppress the symptoms.

Provisional data suggests that antihypertensive therapy with atenolol provides weaker protective action against cardiovascular complications (e.g. myocardial infarction and stroke) compared to other antihypertensive drugs. In particular, diuretics are superior. However, controlled studies are lacking.^[4]

Unlike most other commonly-used β-blockers, atenolol is excreted almost exclusively by the kidneys. This makes it attractive for use in individuals with end-stage liver disease.

Toralip-10 Tabs

Atorvastatin .………………10 mg.

Atorvastatin is a member of the drug class known as statins, used for lowering cholesterol. Atorvastatin inhibits the rate-determining enzyme located in hepatic tissue that produces mevalonate, a small molecule used in the synthesis of cholesterol and other mevalonate derivatives. This lowers the amount of cholesterol produced which in turn lowers the total amount of LDL cholesterol.

Pharmacology

As with other statins, atorvastatin is a competitive inhibitor of HMG-CoA reductase. Unlike most others, however, it is a completely synthetic compound. HMG-CoA reductase catalyzes the reduction of 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl-coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) to mevalonate, which is the rate-limiting step in hepatic cholesterol biosynthesis. Inhibition of the enzyme decreases de novo cholesterol synthesis, increasing expression of low-density lipoprotein receptors (LDL receptors) on hepatocytes. This increases LDL uptake by the hepatocytes, decreasing the amount of LDL-cholesterol in the blood. Like other statins, atorvastatin also reduces blood levels of triglycerides and slightly increases levels of HDL-cholesterol.

Indications

Atorvastatin is indicated as an adjunct to diet for the treatment of dyslipidemia, specifically hypercholesterolaemia. It has also been used in the treatment of combined hyperlipidemia.

In 2005, the PROVE IT-TIMI 22 trial compared 40mg/day pravastatin with 80mg/day atorvastatin.^[5] Taken directly from the results of the trial: "Standard treatment (statin) with a 3-hydroxy-3-methylglutaryl coenzyme A (HMG-CoA) reductase inhibitor (pravastatin 40 mg/day) resulted in a 22% reduction in LDL cholesterol levels at 30 days compared with a 51% reduction with intensive therapy (atorvastatin 80 mg/day). At 2 years, a relative risk reduction of 16% (95% confidence interval, 5%-26%; P = 0.005) in the primary end point rate (death, myocardial infarction, documented unstable angina requiring hospitalization, coronary revascularization, or stroke) was seen in patients receiving intensive statin treatment compared with standard statin therapy. The benefit of intensive treatment was apparent as early as 30 days and was consistent over time. The PROVE IT-TIMI 22 data indicate that patients recently hospitalized for an ACS benefit from early and continued lowering of LDL cholesterol to levels substantially below current guideline recommendations."