Compare Atenolol vs. hydrochlorothiazide
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Lowers blood pressure and controls heart rate.
Tenormin (atenolol) is good for controlling chest pain and treating a heart attack. It has fewer side effects than other beta blockers. You need to take it on an empty stomach and you can't skip doses.
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3.6/ 5 average rating with 457 reviewsforAtenolol
Removes water from the body, which lowers blood pressure.
Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) is a well-tolerated water pill that's often the first-choice treatment for mild high blood pressure.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 139 reviewsforhydrochlorothiazide
Upsides
- A first-choice treatment to prevent chest pain (angina).
- A first-choice treatment for heart attack recovery.
- At lower doses, Tenormin (atenolol) has fewer side effects than other beta blockers because it targets the heart and not other parts of the body.
- Does a good job getting rid of extra fluids in your body by making you urinate more.
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment. Works especially well for people of African descent.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Good option if you have high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Most people have very few side effects from Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)).
- Can be good for patients with osteoporosis since it raises the body's level of calcium.
Downsides
- You need to take Tenormin (atenolol) on an empty stomach.
- Taking a beta blocker might make you feel more tired or out of breath during exercise or normal daily routines. This gets better for most people, but it might not go away for others.
- Not a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure unless you have heart disease. However, your doctor could add it to other medicines you're already if your blood pressure is still too high.
- You can't miss or skip doses. If you stop Tenormin (atenolol) suddenly, it can cause your blood pressure to go up really quickly, raising your risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Tenormin (atenolol) can hide symptoms of low blood sugar if you're diabetic.
- Makes you urinate more often.
- Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) doesn't work well in people with severe kidney problems.
- It can increase the risk of gout attacks in people with poor kidney function or a history of gout.
- People with a sulfa allergy may be allergic to Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)).
Used for
- High blood pressure
- Fluid retention (edema)
- High urine calcium
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes insipidus from lithium
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
Lowest price
$398.77
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$43.02
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Reviews
457 reviews so far
58%
saidit'sworth it
48%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Tenormin (atenolol)?
Leave a review139 reviews so far
47%
saidit'sworth it
31%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ))?
Leave a reviewSide effects
17possible side effects
- Tiredness26%
- Dizziness13%
- Cold arms and legs12%
- Depression12%
- Fatigue6%
- Shortness of breath6%
- Low blood pressure on movement changes4%
- Slower heartbeat3%
- Leg Pain3%
- Light-headedness3%
- Decreased energy3%
- Vivid dreams3%
- Diarrhea3%
- Nausea3%
- Wheeziness3%
- Feeling off balance2%
- Drowsiness2%
The Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
Risks and risk factors
- Heart attack or increased chest pain
- Suddenly stopping Tenormin (atenolol)
- Heart failure
- Slowing heart rate
- Taking calcium channel blockers
- Increased risks during surgery
- Major surgery requiring anesthesia
- Masked symptoms of low blood sugar
- Diabetes
- Masked symptoms of overactive thyroid
- Increased risk of rebound high blood pressure
- Taking clonidine
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Current electrolyte imbalance
- Lower kidney function
- Dehydration
- Severe allergic reactions
- History of sulfa allergies
- Gout
- History of gout
- Current kidney problems
- Vision problems
- History of sulfa or penicillin allergies
- Higher blood sugars
- Diabetes