Which home medication is most likely contributing to bradycardia in a patient presenting with near-syncope?

Study for the Board Certified Cardiology Pharmacist Exam. Utilize flashcards and answer multiple-choice questions with detailed explanations. Prepare efficiently for your certification!

Atenolol is a beta-blocker that can lead to bradycardia as a common side effect by slowing down the heart rate through its action on the heart's beta-adrenergic receptors. Clonidine, an alpha-2 adrenergic agonist, can also cause bradycardia as it decreases sympathetic outflow, leading to reduced heart rate. When these two medications are taken together, the likelihood of experiencing bradycardia increases as they each have mechanisms that can contribute to this condition.

In this case, both atenolol and clonidine can independently cause a decrease in heart rate, making their combined effect particularly significant in the context of a patient presenting with bradycardia and near-syncope.

Other medications listed do not have a similar impact on heart rate. Albuterol is a bronchodilator that usually works as a beta-2 agonist and typically does not cause bradycardia. Furosemide, a loop diuretic, can lead to volume depletion and electrolyte imbalances but generally does not directly cause bradycardia. Thus, the combination of atenolol and clonidine is the most probable cause of the bradycardia in this scenario.

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