Atenolol Compounded Oral Suspension

Description

Atenolol Compounded Oral Suspension is a prescription medication used by veterinarians to help manage certain cardiovascular conditions in dogs and cats. Atenolol belongs to a class of medications called beta blockers and is commonly prescribed for certain cardiac arrhythmias, or irregular heartbeats. It may also be prescribed for selected animals with structural heart conditions, including certain forms of hypertrophic cardiomyopathy in cats and obstructive heart conditions in dogs.

Atenolol works by reducing the effects of adrenaline and related stress hormones on the heart. This helps slow the heart rate, regulate certain abnormal heart rhythms, and decrease the heart's workload and oxygen demand. Its use depends on the specific cardiac condition, as slowing the heart rate may be inappropriate for some animals with impaired heart function.

This chicken-flavored, oil based oral suspension is individually prepared by a compounding pharmacy according to a veterinarian's prescription. The liquid formulation allows individualized dosing and provides an alternative for pets that have difficulty swallowing tablets. Compounded Atenolol Oral Suspension is not an FDA-approved finished drug product, and its use in dogs and cats is considered extra-label.

Uses & Benefits

• Helps veterinarians manage certain abnormal heart rhythms in dogs and cats.

• May help control excessively rapid heart rates associated with selected cardiovascular conditions.

• Reduces beta₁-adrenergic stimulation of the heart.

• Helps decrease cardiac workload and myocardial oxygen demand.

• May be prescribed for selected cats with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy, particularly when left ventricular outflow tract obstruction is present.

• May be used for certain obstructive heart conditions in dogs, including subaortic or pulmonic stenosis.

• Can be incorporated into an individualized cardiovascular treatment plan.

• Provides an oral liquid alternative for pets that have difficulty taking tablets.

• Allows individualized dosing based on the animal's medical needs and veterinary prescription.

How It Works

Atenolol is a cardioselective beta blocker that primarily blocks beta₁-adrenergic receptors in the heart. These receptors normally respond to adrenaline and related hormones by increasing heart rate and the force of heart contractions. By blocking their activity, atenolol slows the heart rate, reduces the force of contraction, and decreases the heart's workload and oxygen demand. It also slows electrical conduction through the atrioventricular (AV) node, which may help control certain rapid or abnormal heart rhythms. Although atenolol primarily targets beta₁ receptors, this selectivity may decrease at higher doses, increasing the potential for effects on other organs.

Indications

Cardiac Arrhythmias / Abnormal or Rapid Heart Rate / Selected Cases of Feline Hypertrophic Cardiomyopathy / Certain Obstructive Heart Conditions in Dogs / Veterinarian-Directed Cardiovascular Management

All listed veterinary uses are extra-label. This compounded preparation has no FDA-approved veterinary indications.

Ingredients

Active Ingredients:

Atenolol

Inactive Ingredients:

Refer to the dispensing pharmacy for complete formulation specific inactive ingredient information.

Directions

Follow the prescription label exactly and veterinarian directions.

Administer Atenolol Compounded Oral Suspension by mouth using an appropriately sized oral dosing syringe with clearly marked milliliter (mL) measurements. The veterinarian will determine the appropriate dose, administration frequency, and treatment duration based on the pet's species, body weight, heart condition, kidney function, and response to treatment.

Shake the bottle thoroughly before every dose to ensure the medication is evenly distributed throughout the suspension. Atenolol may be administered with or without food unless otherwise directed by the veterinarian. If gastrointestinal upset occurs, administering the medication with a small amount of food may be helpful.

Atenolol is generally administered on a consistent schedule. Regular veterinary monitoring of heart rate, heart rhythm, and blood pressure is important to determine whether the prescribed dose is appropriate.

Do not change the prescribed dose, discontinue treatment suddenly, or combine atenolol with other cardiovascular medications without veterinary authorization. Abrupt discontinuation may cause rebound increases in heart rate or worsening of the underlying cardiac condition.

If a dose is missed, administer it when remembered unless it is nearly time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and resume the regular schedule. Never administer two doses at once.

Handling of Your Oil Based Compounded Liquid

Atenolol Compounded Oral Suspension is prepared as an oil based liquid. Because the medication is suspended in an oil vehicle, the contents may naturally separate into different layers during storage. The oil may rise toward the top of the bottle while suspended medication settles toward the bottom.

Separation during storage is normal for this type of formulation and does not necessarily indicate a problem with the medication.

• Shake the bottle thoroughly before every dose.

• Ensure the medication appears evenly mixed before measuring the prescribed amount.

• Keep the bottle securely closed when not in use.

• Never add water or other liquids to the medication.

• Contact the dispensing pharmacy if the medication does not mix evenly after thorough shaking or develops an unusual appearance.

Dosing Instructions

When supplied with a bottle adapter and oral dosing syringe, follow these instructions:

1. Shake the bottle thoroughly before every dose.

2. Pull the dosing syringe plunger back to the prescribed dose line.

3. Insert the syringe tip firmly into the center of the bottle adapter.

4. Turn the bottle upside down while holding the syringe securely.

5. Push the syringe plunger completely inward.

6. Slowly pull the plunger back until the prescribed amount has been drawn into the syringe.

7. Confirm the correct volume has been measured and remove large air bubbles.

8. Turn the bottle upright before removing the syringe.

9. Remove the syringe from the bottle adapter.

10. Slowly administer the medication into the side of the pet's mouth, allowing time to swallow.

The bottle adapter should remain in place between doses if that is how the medication is packaged. Do not remove it unless instructed by the dispensing pharmacy.

Always use an appropriately sized oral dosing syringe with clearly marked milliliter measurements. Do not use household teaspoons or tablespoons to measure medication.

Caring for Your Dosing Syringe

Oil based medications may leave residue inside the dosing syringe. Over time, this residue can cause the plunger to drag, stick, or become difficult to move.

To help maintain proper syringe function:

1. Remove the plunger from the syringe barrel after administration if the syringe is designed to be disassembled.

2. Rinse the syringe barrel and plunger with warm water.

3. Wash with a small amount of mild dish soap to remove oil residue, if permitted by the syringe manufacturer.

4. Rinse thoroughly to remove all soap.

5. Allow the syringe and plunger to dry completely before reassembling and using again.

Additional syringe care recommendations:

• Do not boil, microwave, or place the syringe in a dishwasher unless permitted by the manufacturer.

• Do not modify or enlarge the syringe opening.

• Replace damaged syringes or syringes with unreadable measurement markings.

• Follow dispensing pharmacy instructions when they differ from general cleaning recommendations.

Cautions

• Veterinarian Prescription Required (Rx). Use only for the animal for which the medication was prescribed.

• Compounded Atenolol Oral Suspension is not an FDA-approved finished drug product.

• Intended for veterinarian-directed use in dogs and cats. Do not administer to other species without veterinary authorization.

• Do not use in animals with a known hypersensitivity to atenolol or any ingredient in the compounded formulation.

• Atenolol is generally contraindicated in animals with significant bradycardia, advanced atrioventricular heart block, uncontrolled congestive heart failure, or certain bronchospastic respiratory conditions.

• Use cautiously in animals with kidney disease because atenolol is primarily eliminated through the kidneys.

• Additional caution is recommended in animals with diabetes, asthma, low blood pressure, or impaired heart muscle function.

• Atenolol may cause excessive slowing of the heart rate, weakness, lethargy, or low blood pressure.

• Concurrent use with certain calcium channel blockers, including diltiazem or verapamil, may increase the risk of excessive heart rate reduction or impaired cardiac conduction.

• Other cardiovascular medications, including digoxin, amiodarone, and certain blood pressure medications, may interact with atenolol.

• Beta blockers may mask some signs of low blood glucose in animals receiving diabetes treatment.

• Do not discontinue atenolol abruptly unless specifically directed by the veterinarian.

• Contact a veterinarian immediately if the pet develops collapse, fainting, severe weakness, difficulty breathing, or a markedly slow heartbeat.

• Avoid unnecessary skin or eye contact with the medication. Wash hands after administration.

• This medication is not available for sale or shipment to California or Massachusetts residents.

• Keep out of reach of children and animals.

Possible Side Effects

Lethargy / Weakness / Decreased Activity / Slow Heart Rate / Low Blood Pressure / Dizziness or Fainting / Vomiting / Diarrhea / Decreased Appetite / Exercise Intolerance / Breathing Difficulties / Worsening Heart Failure

Precautions

Before beginning treatment, inform the veterinarian about all medications, supplements, and medical conditions affecting the pet. Atenolol should be used carefully in animals with kidney impairment because reduced kidney function may slow elimination of the medication and increase the risk of adverse effects.

Animals with certain heart conditions may require additional evaluation before atenolol is prescribed. Although atenolol may be useful for selected patients with hypertrophic cardiomyopathy or obstructive heart disease, it can worsen clinical signs in animals with impaired cardiac function or uncontrolled congestive heart failure. A veterinarian should determine whether beta blocker therapy is appropriate based on the animal's specific diagnosis.

Regular veterinary examinations are important throughout treatment. Monitoring may include heart rate measurements, blood pressure checks, electrocardiograms (ECGs), echocardiograms, or other diagnostic testing. Animals receiving long-term therapy may require periodic reassessment of kidney function and medication tolerance.

Atenolol should be used cautiously in animals with diabetes because beta blockers can mask certain warning signs of hypoglycemia. Animals with asthma or other respiratory conditions also require careful evaluation because beta₁ selectivity is not absolute, particularly at higher doses.

Atenolol should generally be avoided during pregnancy and lactation unless the veterinarian determines that the potential benefits outweigh the risks. Breeding animals should be evaluated individually before treatment.

Long-term treatment may be necessary for animals with persistent cardiovascular conditions. Atenolol should not be discontinued abruptly after prolonged use. The veterinarian may recommend gradually reducing the dose when treatment is stopped.

Compounded oral suspensions may differ from commercially manufactured atenolol tablets or other compounded formulations in their inactive ingredients, absorption characteristics, and administration requirements. These formulations should not be substituted without veterinary authorization.

Storage

Store Atenolol Compounded Oral Suspension at room temperature according to the dispensing pharmacy's prescription label. This oil based compounded formulation does not require refrigeration unless the dispensing pharmacy provides different instructions.

Keep the bottle tightly closed and protected from excessive heat, direct sunlight, and freezing.

Because this is an oil based suspension, the liquid may naturally separate into layers during storage. This separation is normal. Shake the bottle thoroughly before every dose to ensure the medication is evenly mixed before measuring.

Use the medication only through the beyond use date (BUD) printed on the prescription label. Do not use medication beyond that date, even if some remains in the bottle.

Keep medication securely stored away from children and animals.

Disposal

Dispose of unused or expired Atenolol Compounded Oral Suspension through a medication take-back program when available or according to applicable local medication disposal requirements. Keep discarded medication and packaging securely inaccessible to children and animals.