Effect of Atenolol on Hepatic Dysfunction by Evaluating Level of AST

Hypertension is one of the most important risk factors for morbidity and mortality around the world. Many drugs used to treat hypertension have several side effects. Atenolol used to control hypertension, is an anti-beta-adrenergic agent. It has found to significantly affect the hepatic functions. Objective: To study the effects of atenolol on hepatic dysfunction by measuring AST level in hypertensive patients, taking atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Methods: The variation in AST level was measured upon use of atenolol alone or in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs. Out of total 80 patients, 43 were treated with atenolol alone, 37 with atenolol in combination with other anti-hypertensive drugs and 20 were healthy controls. Micro lab tests were used for measurement of AST level. Results: Significant results were found as atenolol cause increase in AST level. Other anti-hypertensive drugs did not affect the AST levels much and the increase in AST level was more significant in patients taking atenolol alone. Conclusions: Atenolol may have efficacy in controlling hypertension, but it causes disturbance in AST levels therefore any other drug in combination with atenolol is recommended to avoid AST variation and eventually hepatic dysfunctions. Further this study may be employed on large scale for strengthening the outcomes of this study