Atenolol belongs to a group of medications called beta blockers. Used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It is also used to let off angina (pain in chest) and in patients with heart attack to help prevent further heart attacks. Can also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.
If any of the information in this leaflet causes you special concern or would like more information about your medicine and its use, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist. Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of reach of children and never share your medicines with others..
Atenolol Side Effects
Less common – breathing difficulty, cold hands and feet, mental depression, shortness of breath, slow heartbeat, swelling of ankles, feet or lower legs
Rare – back pain or joint pain, chest pain, confusion (especially in the elderly), dizziness or lightheadedness, especially when rising from a lying or sitting position, fever or sore throat, hallucinations, irregular heartbeat red skin , scaly or crusted, rash, bleeding or bruising
Atenolol side effects that usually do not require medical attention
These side effects may go away during treatment, but if they continue or are bothersome, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
More common - decreased sexual ability, dizziness or lightheadedness, sleep (mild), trouble sleeping, unusual tiredness or weakness
After you have been taking this medicine for a while may cause unpleasant or even harmful effects if you stop taking it suddenly. Ask your doctor right away if you notice chest pain, rapid or irregular heartbeat, a general feeling of discomfort in the body, or weakness, headache, shortness of breath (sudden), sweating or trembling.
Other side effects not listed above may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
PROPER USE
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atenolol, or have a heart condition as a slow heartbeat or heart block.
Before taking atenolol, tell your doctor if you have
- asthma, bronchitis, emphysema
- diabetes
- low blood pressure
- heart problems such as heart block, sick sinus syndrome, slow heart rate, or congestive heart failure
- depression
- liver disease or kidney disease
- thyroid problems
- myasthenia gravis
- pheochromocytoma, or
- circulation problems (such as Raynaud’s syndrome).
• If you have any of these conditions, you may need dosage adjustments or special tests to safely use this medication safely.
• FDA category D be harmful to an unborn baby. This medication may harm an unborn baby. No use this med if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use birth control while taking this medicine.
• It can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
PRECAUTIONS
Take atenolol exactly as prescribed. Do not take the medication in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
- Take this medicine with a full glass of water.
- Take atenolol at the same time each day.
- To be sure this medication is helping your condition, it is necessary that pressure measured regularly. It is very important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
- If you need any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using atenolol. You may need to stop using atenolol for a short time before surgery.
- Atenolol is only part of a complete program for the treatment of hypertension, and may also include diet, exercise and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise if you are receiving treatment for hypertension.
- Hypertension often has no symptoms, and you may not feel you have high blood pressure. Keep using the medication as directed, even if you feel better. May need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of his life.
- Atenolol Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
