Atenolol-induced breast pain in a woman with hypertension.
OBJECTIVE
To describe a case of atenolol-induced breast pain and swelling in a patient receiving atenolol.


METHODS
A 54-year-old woman was diagnosed with hypertension with no existing comorbidity. The patient was not taking any prescription medications, but was using an herbal supplement and several other over-the-counter supplements. After diet and exercise failed to control the woman's blood pressure, atenolol 25 mg daily was initiated. She reported symptoms of insomnia 9 days after starting the medication. During a follow-up visit 5 weeks later, the patient reported continued insomnia, as well as a 6 day history of breast pain, swelling, and tenderness. Atenolol was quickly titrated to discontinuation, and a thiazide diuretic was prescribed. Subsequently, the pain and swelling gradually resolved.


CONCLUSIONS
Assessment using the Naranjo probability scale revealed that the adverse reaction was probably associated with atenolol. While rare cases of hyperprolactinemia and galactorrhea have been reported with beta-blocker use, no reports of breast pain caused by this drug class were identified in the literature.


CONCLUSIONS
Atenolol has many reported adverse reactions, both common and rare; however, until this report, breast pain and swelling had not been documented adverse reactions. Clinicians should be aware that atenolol may be a cause of nonorganic breast pain and swelling in women.
Kelleher
Julia A
JA
Kaiser Foundation Health Plan of Colorado, 280 Exempla Circle, Lafayette, CO 80026, USA . Julie.A.Kelleher@kp.org
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001262:Atenolol / Q000009:adverse effects* / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001941:Breast Diseases / Q000139:chemically induced*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D006973:Hypertension / Q000188:drug therapy; D008875:Middle Aged; D010146:Pain / Q000139:chemically induced*
D000319:Adrenergic beta-Antagonists; D000959:Antihypertensive Agents; D001262:Atenolol