Suzanne,   Micardis is in the drug class known as Angiotensin II inhibitor.  Angiotensin II causes blood vessels to constrict, raising blood pressure.  Blocking this enzyme causes blood vessels to relax and lower blood pressure.  Micardis will not be available as a generic until 2014.    Atenolol is a beta blocker that is cardioselective compared to older beta blockers.  They tend to have fewer side effects that its predecessors and is well tolerated by most patients.  It is now available in generic form, which is why it is so cheap.   If cost is an issue, you need to discuss this with your doctor who might consider changing your regiment to cheaper, but effective, generic drugs.  You also need to discuss how you are feeling now compared to before.  He might consider switching you back to the atenolol.    I hope this information has been useful to you.   Martin Cane, M.D.