weight gain a side effect of atenolol

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 weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Stopping atenolol abruptly may cause your condition to becomeworse weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Call your doctor immediately if you experience shortness of breath weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Atenolol may cause dizziness or drowsiness weight gain a side effect of atenolol. If you experience dizzinessor drowsiness, avoid these activities weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

What is atenolol?
• Atenolol is in a class of drugs called beta-blockers weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Beta-blockers affectthe heart and circulatory system (arteries and veins) weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Atenolol is used to lower blood pressure, lower heart rate, reduce chestpain (angina), and to reduce the risk of recurrent heart attacks weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Atenolol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in thismedication guide weight gain a side effect 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 weight gain a side effect 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 weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Atenolol is in the FDA pregnancy category D weight gain a side effect of atenolol. This means that atenololis known to have harmful effects on a developing baby weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Low birth weight andother effects have occurred weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Do not take atenolol without first talking to yourdoctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Atenolol passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Slow heartrates in breast-fed babies have occurred weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Do not take atenolol without firsttalking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

How should I take atenolol?
• Take atenolol exactly as directed by your doctor weight gain a side effect of atenolol. If you do not understandthese directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Atenolol can be taken with or without food weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Take atenolol at the same time everyday whenever possible weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Do not crush, break, or chew the tablets weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Swallow them whole weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Do not stop taking atenolol abruptly unless you are directed to do soby your doctor weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Stopping atenolol abruptly may cause your condition to becomeworse weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember weight gain a side effect of atenolol. However, if it is almosttime for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularlyscheduled dose weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Do not take a double dose of this medication weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Symptoms of an atenolol overdose include a slow heart beat, shortnessof breath, fainting, dizziness, weakness, confusion, nausea, and vomiting weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

What should I avoid while taking atenolol?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Atenolol may cause drowsiness, dizziness, and blood pressure changes weight gain a side effect of atenolol. If you experience drowsiness or dizziness, avoid these activities weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Tell your doctor and dentist that you are taking atenolol before havingsurgery weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Use alcohol cautiously weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizzinesswhile taking this medication weight gain a side effect 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 weight gain a side effect 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) weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome weight gain a side effect 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 weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatmentif you are taking any of the medicines listed above weight gain a side effect of atenolol.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with atenolol oraffect your condition weight gain a side effect of atenolol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about atenolol written forhealth professionals that you may read weight gain a side effect of atenolol.

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.