atenolol side effects
(ah THE no lall)
Tenormin
What is the most important information I should know about atenolol?
• Do not stop taking atenolol abruptly unless you are directed to do soby your doctor atenolol side effects. Stopping atenolol abruptly may cause your condition to becomeworse atenolol side effects.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath atenolol side effects.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities atenolol side effects. Atenolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness atenolol side effects. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities atenolol side effects.
What is atenolol?
• Atenolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers atenolol side effects. Beta-blockers affectthe heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins) atenolol side effects.
• Atenolol is used to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, reduce chestpain (angina), and to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks atenolol side effects.
• Atenolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide atenolol side effects.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atenolol?
• Before taking atenolol, tell your doctor if you have
· asthma;
· heart problems such as low blood pressure, a slow heart rate, heartblock, 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 atenolol side effects.
• You may not be able to take atenolol, or you may require a dosage adjustmentor special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listedabove atenolol side effects.
• Atenolol is in the FDA pregnancy category D atenolol side effects. This means that atenololis known to have harmful effects on a developing baby atenolol side effects. Low birth weight andother effects have occurred atenolol side effects. Do not take atenolol without first talking to yourdoctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment atenolol side effects.
• Atenolol passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby atenolol side effects. Slow heartrates in breast-fed babies have occurred atenolol side effects. Do not take atenolol without firsttalking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby atenolol side effects.
How should I take atenolol?
• Take atenolol exactly as directed by your doctor atenolol side effects. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you atenolol side effects.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water atenolol side effects.
• Atenolol can be taken with or without food atenolol side effects.
• Take atenolol at the same time everyday whenever possible atenolol side effects.
• Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets atenolol side effects. Swallow them whole atenolol side effects.
• Do not stop taking atenolol abruptly unless you are directed to do soby your doctor atenolol side effects. Stopping atenolol abruptly may cause your condition to becomeworse atenolol side effects.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat atenolol side effects.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember atenolol side effects. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose atenolol side effects. Do not take a double dose of this medication atenolol side effects.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention atenolol side effects.
• Symptoms of an atenolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortnessof breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting atenolol side effects.
What should I avoid while taking atenolol?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities atenolol side effects. Atenolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes atenolol side effects. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities atenolol side effects.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking atenolol before havingsurgery atenolol side effects.
• Use alcohol cautiously atenolol side effects. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking this medication atenolol side effects.
What are the possible side effects of atenolol?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takingatenolol 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 oneweek);
· chest (heart) pain;
· cold or blue feet and hands; or
· skin rash atenolol side effects.
• If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continuetaking 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) atenolol side effects.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur atenolol side effects. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome atenolol side effects.
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, DilacorXR), 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, ordiet pills atenolol side effects.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above atenolol side effects.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with atenolol oraffect your condition atenolol side effects. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products atenolol side effects.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about atenolol written forhealth professionals that you may read atenolol side effects.
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