Heart drug may shield bones after menopause

NCT ID NCT04905277

First seen Jun 27, 2026 · Last updated Jun 27, 2026

Summary

This study tested whether atenolol, a widely used beta blocker for heart conditions, can prevent bone loss in postmenopausal women. 420 healthy women aged 50-75 took either atenolol or a placebo daily for a period. The main goal was to see if the drug slowed bone density loss in the hip and lower back.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only — not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance

atenolol

What this could lead to

If it works, this could point toward a new way to prevent bone loss and fractures in postmenopausal women using a common, inexpensive drug.

What could go wrong

This is a phase 2 trial, so results are still early. The drug may not show a meaningful benefit for bone density, and beta blockers have side effects like fatigue and low blood pressure.

Disclaimer Read more

This is a summary of the original study . Summaries may miss details or leave out important information. Before applying or accepting participation, make sure you have read and understood the full study. Curemydisease.com takes no responsibility whatsoever for anything missed, misunderstood, or acted upon as a result of our summary — we know it does not capture everything.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

postmenopausal osteoporosis prevention target

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

More trials for these conditions

Other studies related to the condition(s) this trial covers.

Contacts and locations

Locations

  • Columbia University Irving Medical Center

    New York, New York, 10032, United States

  • MaineHealth

    Scarborough, Maine, 04074, United States

  • Mayo Clinic

    Rochester, Minnesota, 55905, United States