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Zebeta vs. Tenormin

Are Zebeta and Tenormin the Same Thing?

Zebeta (bisoprolol fumarate) and Tenormin IV Injection (atenolol) are beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agents (beta-blockers) used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Tenormin IV Injection is also used to treat angina, for management of acute myocardial infarction and occasionally for thyroid storm management.

The brand name drug Tenormin is no longer available in the U.S. It may be available as a generic.

Side effects of Zebeta and Tenormin IV that are similar include tiredness/fatigue, slow heartbeat, lightheadedness, dizziness, dry mouth, constipation, weakness/lethargy, sleep problems (insomnia), and depression.

Side effects of Zebeta that are different from Tenormin IV include drowsiness, spinning sensation, nausea, vomiting, stomach pain, diarrhea, increased urination, runny or stuffy nose, ringing in your ears, anxiety, restless feeling, joint or muscle pain, itching or skin rash, or loss of interest in sex.

Side effects of Tenormin IV that are different from Zebeta include nightmares, shortness of breath, indigestion, impotence, cold feeling in the hands and feet, confusion, and fluid retention.

Both Zebeta and Tenormin IV may interact with other beta-blockers, disopyramide, and digitalis.

Zebeta may also interact with heart medications, clonidine, guanethidine, rifampin, insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, and medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders.

Tenormin IV may also interact with calcium channel blockers, reserpine, amiodarone, and prostaglandin synthase inhibiting drugs.

What Are Possible Side Effects of Zebeta?

Common side effects of Zebeta include:

  • tiredness,
  • drowsiness,
  • slow heartbeat,
  • lightheadedness upon standing,
  • dizziness,
  • spinning sensation,
  • dry mouth,
  • nausea,
  • vomiting,
  • stomach pain,
  • diarrhea,
  • constipation,
  • increased urination,
  • runny or stuffy nose,
  • ringing in your ears,
  • weakness,
  • sleep problems (insomnia),
  • depression,
  • anxiety,
  • restless feeling,
  • joint or muscle pain,
  • itching or skin rash, or
  • loss of interest in sex.

Tell your doctor if you experience unlikely but serious side effects of Zebeta including:

  • very slow heartbeat,
  • severe dizziness,
  • fainting,
  • blue fingers/toes,
  • trouble breathing, or
  • mental/mood changes (such as confusion, mood swings, depression).

What Are Possible Side Effects of Tenormin?

Common side effects of Tenormin include:

  • dizziness,
  • faintness,
  • feeling lightheaded,
  • lethargy,
  • fatigue,
  • mild slow heart rate,
  • depression,
  • insomnia,
  • nightmares,
  • shortness of breath,
  • constipation,
  • indigestion,
  • dry mouth,
  • impotence,
  • cold feeling in the hands and feet,
  • confusion, and
  • swelling

Serious side effects of Tenormin may include:

What Is Zebeta?

Zebeta (bisoprolol fumarate) is a type of antihypertensive drug called a beta-adrenergic receptor blocking agent (beta blocker) used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

What Is Tenormin?

Tenormin is a beta-blocker used mainly for control of hypertension, angina, for management of acute myocardial infarction and occasionally for thyroid storm management. The brand name drug Tenormin is no longer available in the U.S. It may be available in generic form.

 

What Drugs Interact With Zebeta?

Zebeta may interact with other medications including other beta blockers, heart medicines, clonidine, digitalis, disopyramide, guanethidine, rifampin, insulin or diabetes medication you take by mouth, and medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders.

What Drugs Interact With Tenormin?

Tenormin may interact with heart medications.

Tenormin may also interact with allergy treatments (or if you are undergoing allergy skin-testing), amiodarone, clonidine, digoxin, disopyramide, guanabenz, MAO inhibitors, diabetes medications, medicine for asthma or other breathing disorders, cold medicines, stimulant medicines, or diet pills.

 

How Should Zebeta Be Taken?

The dose of Zebeta is individualized to the needs of the patient, ranging from 2.5 to 20 mg once daily.

How Should Tenormin Be Taken?

Tenormin is available in 25, 50 and 100 mg strength tablets; it is also available vials of 5 mg atenolol in ten ml of citrate-buffered solution for intravenous injection. The IV preparation should only be administered by trained personnel. The usual dose for tablets begins at 25 mg once or twice per day and is modified by patient response to the medication. The following information applies to both the tablet and IV forms of atenolol. Use with calcium channel blockers (CCBs) may precipitate bradycardia. This medication should be used during pregnancy only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. This medication passes into breast milk and may have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult the doctor before breastfeeding. Women taking Tenormin should discuss the risks and benefits with their doctor. Safety and effectiveness has not been established in pediatric patients.