atenolol and chlorthalidone

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

What is atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Atenolol is a beta-blocker. Chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill).

Atenolol and chlorthalidone is a combination medicine used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Lowering blood pressure may lower your risk of a stroke or heart attack.

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

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

• a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (second or third degree);
• very slow heartbeats;
• heart failure;
• if you are unable to urinate; or
• if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;
• coronary artery disease (hardened arteries);
• angina (chest pain);
• asthma, bronchitis, or other lung disorder;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid or parathyroid disorder;
• liver or kidney disease;
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• gout;
• lupus;
• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;
• psoriasis;
• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium in your blood); or
• allergies (or if you are undergoing allergy treatments or skin-testing).

How should I take atenolol and chlorthalidone?

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 and you may need other medical tests.

Keep using this medicine as directed, 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.

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

This medicine can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using atenolol and chlorthalidone.

You should not stop using atenolol and chlorthalidone suddenly. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.

If you do stop taking this medicine, limit your physical activity to prevent heart problems.

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 nausea, extreme weakness, wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing, slow heartbeats, swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What are the possible side effects of atenolol and chlorthalidone?

• 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;
• cold feeling in your hands and feet;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low sodium level --headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady; or
• low potassium level --leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling.

Common side effects may include:

• slow heartbeats;
• feeling weak or tired;
• dizziness, drowsiness;
• numbness or tingling;
• pale skin, bruising or bleeding;
• depression; or
• upset stomach, loss of appetite, constipation.

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 and chlorthalidone?

Tell your doctor about all your current medicines. Many drugs can affect atenolol and chlorthalidone, especially:

• digoxin, digitalis;
• indomethacin;
• insulin;
• lithium;
• 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 and many other drugs may affect atenolol and chlorthalidone. This includes 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 pharmacist can provide more information about atenolol and chlorthalidone.

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: 8.01. Revision date: 10/5/2020.