Norvasc vs. Tenormin

• Are Norvasc and Tenormin the Same Thing?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Norvasc?
• What Are Possible Side Effects of Tenormin?
• What is Norvasc?
• What is Tenormin?
• What Drugs Interact with Norvasc?
• What Drugs Interact with Tenormin?
• How Should Norvasc Be Taken?
• How Should Tenormin Be Taken?

Norvasc (amlodipine) and Tenormin (atenolol) (and Tenormin IV) are used for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

Tenormin is also used for management of heart attack (acute myocardial infarction) and occasionally for thyroid storm management.

Norvasc (amlodipine) and Tenormin belong to different drug classes. Norvasc is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) and Tenormin is a beta-blocker.

Common side effects of Norvasc include:

• headache,
• swelling (edema) of the ankles or feet,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• tired feeling,
• nausea,
• abdominal or stomach pain, or
• flushing (warmth, redness, or tingly feeling).

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:

• irregular heartbeat,
• low blood pressure (hypotension),
• pulmonary emboli,
• chest pain, and
• bronchospasm.

Norvasc (amlodipine) is a calcium channel blocker (CCB) prescribed for the prevention and treatment of heart pain or chest pain from angina, and for the treatment of high blood pressure. Norvasc is available as a generic drug.

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.

Norvasc may interact with other blood pressure medications.

Norvasc may also interact with simvastatin, ketoconazole, itraconazole, ritonavir, diltiazem, and cyclosporine, or other heart medications.

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.

The usual initial antihypertensive oral dose of Norvasc is 5 mg once daily, and the maximum dose is 10 mg once daily. Norvasc dosages may need to be lowered in patients with liver dysfunction.

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.