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