Atenolol (Tenormin)

Raw research findings for this medication. Mostly single studies, not curated or confirmed robust.

About Atenolol

What it is

Atenolol is a beta blocker that acts mainly on the heart (beta-1 selective): it blocks adrenaline there, slowing the heart rate and lowering blood pressure. It is used for high blood pressure, angina, some irregular heart rhythms and after a heart attack. It is sold as Tenormin, among other names.

How genes come into it

Atenolol is cleared mostly unchanged by the kidneys, so liver-enzyme genes play little part. Studies have instead looked for genes linked to how much blood pressure falls, such as the beta-receptor genes ADRB1 and ADRB2, GNB3 and genes of the renin-angiotensin system (AGT, ACE), and to metabolic side effects. The findings come from single or a few studies and often disagree, and there is no CPIC or DPWG guideline.

What research found

Every published finding on gene variants and Atenolol. Upload your DNA file to see which of these rows apply to you.

Rated evidence (44 rated variants)

PharmGKB weighs all studies of a variant and rates how strong the evidence is, from 1A (strongest) to 4.

AGT rs699: Level 3. Efficacy: Hypertension, Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular. 3.

GNB3 rs5443: Level 3. Efficacy: Essential hypertension. 2.

rs35123024: Level 3. Efficacy: Hypertension. 1.

EDN1 rs5370: Level 3. Efficacy: Essential hypertension. 1.

Metabolism (1 finding)

Studies of how quickly the body processes this medication.

SLCO2B1 rs2306168: Genotype TT is not associated with increased exposure to atenolol in healthy individuals as compared to genotype CC.

Response (83 findings)

Studies of how well it worked in people carrying a variant.

rs10739150: Genotypes GG + GT are associated with increased response to atenolol in people with Hypertension as compared to genotype TT.

rs1104514: Genotypes AA + AG are associated with increased response to atenolol in people with Hypertension as compared to genotype GG.

rs12346562: Genotypes AA + AC is associated with increased response to atenolol in people with Hypertension as compared to genotype CC.

rs294610: Allele A is associated with increased response to atenolol or metoprolol in people with Hypertension as compared to allele C.

Dosing (3 findings)

Studies of how much of the drug people needed or tolerated.

rs7184292: Genotype GG is associated with decreased dose of atenolol in people with Hypertension as compared to genotypes AA + AG.

rs16872401: Allele C is not associated with dose of atenolol in people with Hypertension as compared to allele T.

XIRP2 rs7606603: Allele C is not associated with dose of atenolol in people with Hypertension as compared to allele T.

Other findings (2 findings)

Studies that do not fall into the groups above.

OR10P1 rs17117817: Allele G is associated with decreased response to atenolol or metoprolol in people with Hypertension as compared to allele T.

SNX9 rs2364349: Allele A is associated with decreased response to atenolol or metoprolol in people with Hypertension as compared to allele G.

Study findings and evidence levels: PharmGKB (CC BY-SA 4.0). Guidelines: CPIC and DPWG, as bundled in PharmCAT. Most studies were done mainly in people of European ancestry.

Related Drugs

More drugs from the same category

Beta Blockers (class) (Beta Blockers)

Betapace (Beta Blockers)

Bucindolol (Beta Blockers)

Not a prescribing recommendation. This page is educational information about pharmacogenomic research and clinical guidelines - it is not medical or dosing advice, and not a prediction of how any medication will work for you. Never start, stop, or change a medication or dose based on it; talk to your doctor or pharmacist, who can order clinical-grade testing if appropriate.

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Content updated September 2026.

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