atenolol

What is the most important information I should know about atenolol?

Use only as directed. Tell your doctor if you use other medicines or have other medical conditions or allergies.

What is atenolol?

Atenolol is used to treat angina (chest pain) and hypertension (high blood pressure). Atenolol is also used to lower the risk of death after a heart attack.

Atenolol may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atenolol?

• a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (second or third degree);
• slow heartbeats;
• heart failure; or
• if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;
• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
• diabetes;
• overactive thyroid;
• liver or kidney disease;
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome; or
• allergies (or if you are undergoing allergy treatments or skin-testing).

How should I take atenolol?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using atenolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Keep using the medication as directed and tell your doctor if your symptoms do not improve.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure: Keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Your condition may need to be treated with a combination of drugs. Use all medications as directed by your doctor. Read the medication guide or patient instructions provided with each medication. Do not change your doses or medication schedule without your doctor's advice.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Overdose symptoms may include extreme weakness or lack of energy, very slow heart rate, shortness of breath, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking atenolol?

Follow your doctor's instructions about any restrictions on food, beverages, or activity.

What are the possible side effects of atenolol?

• new or worsening chest pain;
• slow or uneven heartbeats;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• shortness of breath (even with mild exertion), swelling, rapid weight gain; or
• a cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Common side effects may include:

• cold hands or feet;
• dizziness;
• tiredness; or
• depressed mood.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

What other drugs will affect atenolol?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines and any you start or stop using, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• indomethacin;
• any other beta-blocker --bisoprolol, carvedilol, labetalol, metoprolol, nebivolol, propranolol, sotalol, timolol, and others; or
• heart or blood pressure medication --amiodarone, clonidine, diltiazem, disopyramide, nicardipine, nifedipine, reserpine, verapamil, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect atenolol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Where can I get more information?

Your doctor or pharmacist can provide more information about atenolol.

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides. The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your doctor, nurse or pharmacist.

Copyright 1996-2023 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 11.01. Revision date: 1/21/2022.