atenolol information
(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 information. Stopping atenolol abruptly may cause your condition to becomeworse atenolol information.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath atenolol information.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities atenolol information. Atenolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness atenolol information. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities atenolol information.
What is atenolol?
• Atenolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers atenolol information. Beta-blockers affectthe heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins) atenolol information.
• Atenolol is used to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, reduce chestpain (angina), and to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks atenolol information.
• Atenolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide atenolol information.
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 information.
• 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 information.
• Atenolol is in the FDA pregnancy category D atenolol information. This means that atenololis known to have harmful effects on a developing baby atenolol information. Low birth weight andother effects have occurred atenolol information. Do not take atenolol without first talking to yourdoctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment atenolol information.
• Atenolol passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby atenolol information. Slow heartrates in breast-fed babies have occurred atenolol information. Do not take atenolol without firsttalking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby atenolol information.
How should I take atenolol?
• Take atenolol exactly as directed by your doctor atenolol information. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you atenolol information.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water atenolol information.
• Atenolol can be taken with or without food atenolol information.
• Take atenolol at the same time everyday whenever possible atenolol information.
• Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets atenolol information. Swallow them whole atenolol information.
• Do not stop taking atenolol abruptly unless you are directed to do soby your doctor atenolol information. Stopping atenolol abruptly may cause your condition to becomeworse atenolol information.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat atenolol information.
What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember atenolol information. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose atenolol information. Do not take a double dose of this medication atenolol information.
What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention atenolol information.
• Symptoms of an atenolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortnessof breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting atenolol information.
What should I avoid while taking atenolol?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities atenolol information. Atenolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes atenolol information. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities atenolol information.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking atenolol before havingsurgery atenolol information.
• Use alcohol cautiously atenolol information. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking this medication atenolol information.
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 information.
• 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 information.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur atenolol information. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome atenolol information.
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 information.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above atenolol information.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with atenolol oraffect your condition atenolol information. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products atenolol information.
Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about atenolol written forhealth professionals that you may read atenolol information.
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