Atenolol

CAUTION:
Do not discontinue taking atenolol without informing your doctor. Suddenly stopping atenolol may cause chest pain, heart attack, or irregular heartbeat. Your doctor will probably decrease your dose gradually.

O  General Information and Indications:

Atenolol is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. It also is used to prevent angina (chest pain) and treat heart attacks. Atenolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by slowing the heart rate and relaxing the blood vessels so the heart does not have to pump as hard.

O  Information For Users:

Atenolol comes as a tablet to take by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. To help you remember to take atenolol, take it around the same time every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you have any questions. Take atenolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health care provider.

Atenolol controls high blood pressure and angina but does not cure them. It may take 1-2 weeks before you feel the full benefit of atenolol. Continue taking atenolol even if you feel well. Do not discontinue taking atenolol without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine

Atenolol is also used sometimes to prevent migraine headaches and to treat alcohol withdrawal, heart failure, and irregular heartbeat. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medication for your condition.

O  Special precautions:

o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have allergy to atenolol or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking. Be sure to mention any of the following: calcium channel blockers such as diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor, Tiazac, others) and verapamil (Calan, Isoptin, Verelan); clonidine (Catapres); nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin (Indocin); and reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil, Serpatabs). Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding asthma or other lung disease; diabetes; severe allergies; an overactive thyroid gland (hyperthyroidism); pheochromocytoma; heart failure; a slow heart rate; circulation problems; or heart or kidney disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking atenolol, call your doctor without delay.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking atenolol.
o you should know that if you have allergic reactions to different substances, your reactions may be worse while you are using atenolol, and your allergic reactions may not respond to the usual doses of injectable epinephrine.

O  Possible Adverse Effects:

Atenolol may cause adverse effects. Inform your doctor if any of the following symptoms are severe or do not go away:

o dizziness
o lightheadedness
o tiredness
o drowsiness
o depression
o upset stomach
o diarrhea

Some adverse effects could be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor without delay:

o shortness of breath
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o unusual weight gain
o fainting

O  Possible Symptoms of Overdose:

o lack of energy
o difficulty breathing
o wheezing
o slow heartbeat
o fainting
o swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs
o unusual weight gain
o shakiness
o dizziness
o rapid heartbeat
o sweating or confusion
o blurred vision (Impaired vision)
o headache
o numbness or tingling of the mouth
o weakness
o extreme tiredness (fatigue)
o pale color
o sudden hunger

O  Brand Name(s):

o Tenormin®
o Tenormin® I.V.