Heart drug may shield bones after menopause

NCT ID NCT04905277

Completed Prevention Sponsor: Sundeep Khosla, M.D. Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

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.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

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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.

HEALTHY

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

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