Anxiety Medication Overview of Tenormin

Tenormin (known generically as atenolol) is a beta blocker often used to control the physical symptoms of anxiety. Beta blockers are quite effective at quickly relieving certain physical anxiety symptoms, such as shaking, heart palpitations, and sweating, but they do not treat the cognitive effects of anxiety. For this reason, beta blockers like Tenormin are best suited to the short-term management of anxiety symptoms, particularly in performance situations.

Unlike propranolol (brand name: Inderal), the beta-blocker most commonly used to manage symptoms arising from anxiety disorders, atenolol does not pass through the blood-brain barrier. Because of this, there are fewer central nervous system side effects associated with atenolol than with propranolol and some of the other beta blockers.

Common side effects associated with Tenormin include dizziness, lightheadedness, fatigue, drowsiness, depression, nausea, and diarrhea. As with other beta blockers, people with certain medical conditions should not take Tenormin.

Tenormin is available in tablets of 25 mg, 50 mg, and 100 mg. The typical adult dose is 50 mg, although this may need to be adjusted depending on your response. It is a fast-acting medication, so is generally taken 30 minutes to an hour before the expected anxiety-inducing situation.

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