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