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What is Atenolol
 Atenolol
is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers
affect the heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins).
Atenolol
is used to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, reduce
chest pain (angina), and to reduce the risk of recurrent heart
attacks.
Atenolol
may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this
medication guide.
General medical information about Atenolol
Do not stop taking Atenolol abruptly unless you are
directed to do so by your doctor. Stopping Atenolol abruptly
may cause your condition to become worse.
Call your
doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Atenolol may cause
dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or
drowsiness, avoid these activities.
What you should find out before taking Atenolol Before taking Atenolol, tell your doctor if you have:
- asthma;
- heart problems such as low blood
pressure, a slow heart rate, heart block, sick sinus syndrome,
a pacemaker, heart failure, or any other heart problems;
- diabetes;
- depression;
- thyroid
disease;
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
or
- any type of circulatory disease.
You
may not be able to take Atenolol, or you may require a dosage
adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you
have any of the conditions listed above.
Atenolol
is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This means that Atenolol
is known to have harmful effects on a developing baby. Low
birth weight and other effects have occurred. Do not take
Atenolol without first talking to your doctor if you are
pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.
Atenolol passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing
baby. Slow heart rates in breast-fed babies have occurred.
Do not take Atenolol without first talking to your doctor
if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should take Atenolol Take Atenolol exactly as directed by your doctor.
If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist,
nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each
dose with a full glass of water.
Atenolol can be
taken with or without food.
Take Atenolol at the
same time everyday whenever possible.
Do not crush,
break, or chew the tablets. Swallow them whole.
Do
not stop taking Atenolol abruptly unless you are directed
to do so by your doctor. Stopping Atenolol abruptly may
cause your condition to become worse.
Store this
medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
If you miss a dose: Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However,
if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed
dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if you overdose: Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms
of an Atenolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortness
of breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea,
and vomiting.
Avoid while taking Atenolol Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or
performing other hazardous activities. Atenolol may cause
drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes. If you
experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities.
Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking
Atenolol before having surgery.
Use alcohol cautiously.
Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking
this medication.
Possible side effects of Atenolol If you experience any of the following serious side
effects, stop taking Atenolol and call your doctor immediately
or seek emergency medical treatment:
- an allergic
reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;
swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; hives);
-
wheezing or shortness of breath;
- an unusually slow
or irregular heart beat;
- swelling of your feet
and/or lower legs;
- leg pain or cramping;
-
sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds
in one week);
- chest (heart) pain;
- cold
or blue feet and hands; or
- skin rash.
If
you experience any of the following less serious side effects,
continue taking Atenolol and talk to your doctor:
-
fatigue or confusion;
- headache or dizziness;
-
weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate;
- diarrhea,
constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting;
- depression;
- nightmares; or
- impotence (difficulty obtaining
or maintaining an erection).
Side effects other than
those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about
any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially
bothersome.
What other drugs will affect Atenolol Before taking Atenolol, tell your doctor if you are
taking
- a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia,
Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan,
Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), clonidine (Catapres),
digoxin (Lanoxin), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel),
prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin);
- a
diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Micronase,
Glynase, Diabeta), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide
(Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
- a nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,
Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others),
ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others;
-
a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil,
Volmax, others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol
(Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire,
Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron,
Theolair, others);
- the stomach medication cimetidine
(Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or
- prescription or over-the-counter
cough medicines, cold medicines, or diet pills.
You
may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed
above.
Drugs
other than those listed here may also interact with Atenolol
or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist
before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines,
including herbal products. |
