title: Impaired elimination of atenolol in a nephropathic patient with self-medication overdose.
abstract: A case of intoxication with atenolol (plasma concentration of 2.71 mg/L) caused by an improper self-medication combined with impaired renal function is presented. The patient was supported with atropine, isoproterenol, dopamine, and dobutamine, and a thorough pharmacokinetic monitoring of atenolol was conducted. As the serum creatinine concentration returned slowly to baseline with good diuresis, the concentration of atenolol decreased (biologic half-life = 2.95 days) and the blood pressure gradually recovered. The patient improved and was subsequently discharged in good health. Had pharmacokinetic monitoring of atenolol not been performed, hemodialysis would have been indicated.
authors.affiliation: Biological and Medical Research Department, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Centre, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: el-Yazigi
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bouchama
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: al-Abdely
authors.forename: A
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Yusuf
authors.forename: J O
authors.initials: JO
authors.lastname: Sieck
mesh_terms: D001262:Atenolol / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000097:blood / Q000378:metabolism*; D003924:Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 / Q000150:complications; D062787:Drug Overdose; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000378:metabolism; D008657:Metabolic Clearance Rate; D008875:Middle Aged; D051437:Renal Insufficiency / Q000150:complications / Q000378:metabolism*; D012651:Self Medication
chemical_list: D001262:Atenolol