$Unique_ID{BRK01838}
$Pretitle{}
$Title{ATENOLOL}
$Subject{Tenormin (ICI Pharma)}
$Volume{}
$Log{}

Copyright (C) 1991 Publications International, Ltd.


ATENOLOL
------------------------------------------------------------------------------

BRAND NAME (Manufacturer):
     Tenormin (ICI Pharma)
TYPE OF DRUG:
     Beta-adrenergic blocking agent
INGREDIENT:
     atenolol
DOSAGE FORM:
     Tablets (50 mg and 100 mg)
STORAGE:
     Atenolol should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed,
       light-resistant container.

USES

     Atenolol is used to treat high blood pressure and angina (chest pain).
It belongs to a group of medicines known as beta-adrenergic blocking agents
or, more commonly, beta blockers.  These drugs work by controlling impulses
along certain nerve pathways.

TREATMENT

     Atenolol can be taken with a glass of water, with meals, immediately
following meals, or on an empty stomach, depending on your doctor's
instructions.  Try to take the medication at the same time(s) each day.
     Try not to miss any doses of this medication.  If you do miss a dose,
take the missed dose as soon as possible.  However, if the next scheduled dose
is within eight hours (if you are taking this medicine only once a day) or
within four hours (if you are taking this medicine more than once a day), do
not take the missed dose at all; just return to your regular dosing schedule.
Do not double the next dose.
     It is important to remember that atenolol does not cure high blood
pressure, but it will help to control the condition as long as you continue to
take it.

SIDE EFFECTS

     Minor.

     Anxiety; constipation; decreased sexual ability; diarrhea; difficulty in
sleeping; drowsiness; dryness of the eyes, mouth, and skin; headache; nausea;
nervousness; stomach discomfort; tiredness; or weakness.  These side effects
should disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine.
     If you are extra-sensitive to the cold, be sure to dress warmly during
cold weather.
     To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads), and drink more
water (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
     Plain, nonmedicated eye drops (artificial tears) may help to relieve eye
dryness.
     Sucking on ice chips or chewing sugarless gum helps relieve mouth or
throat dryness.

     Major.

     Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
particularly bothersome.  IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
breathing difficulty or wheezing; cold hands or feet (due to decreased blood
circulation to skin, fingers, and toes); confusion; dizziness; fever and sore
throat; hair loss; hallucinations; light-headedness; mental depression;
nightmares; reduced alertness; skin rash; swelling of the ankles, feet, or
lower legs; or unusual bleeding or bruising.

INTERACTIONS

     Atenolol interacts with a number of other medications:
     1. Indomethacin has been shown to decrease the blood-pressure-lowering
effects of the beta blockers.  This may also happen with aspirin or other
salicylates.
     2. Concurrent use of beta blockers and calcium channel blockers
(diltiazem, nifedipine, verapamil) or disopyramide can possibly lead to heart
failure or very low blood pressure.
     3. Cimetidine and oral contraceptives (birth control pills) can increase
the blood concentrations of beta blockers, which can result in greater side
effects.
     4. Side effects may also be increased when beta blockers are taken with
clonidine, digoxin, epinephrine, phenylephrine, phenylpropanolamine,
phenothiazine tranquilizers, prazosin, or monoamine oxidase (MAO) inhibitors.
At least 14 days should separate the use of a beta blocker and the use of an
MAO inhibitor.
     5. Alcohol, barbiturates, and rifampin can decrease blood concentrations
of atenolol, which can result in a decrease of effectiveness.
     6. Beta blockers may antagonize (work against) the effects of
theophylline, aminophylline, albuterol, isoproterenol, metaproterenol, and
terbutaline.
     7. Beta blockers can also interact with insulin or oral antidiabetic
agents--raising or lowering blood sugar levels or masking the symptoms of low
blood sugar.
     8. The action of beta blockers may be increased if they are used with
chlorpromazine, furosemide, or hydralazine, which may have a negative effect.
     BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
taking, especially any of those listed above.

WARNINGS

     * Before starting to take this medication, it is important to tell your
doctor if you have ever had unusual or allergic reactions to any beta blocker
(acebutolol, atenolol, betaxolol, carteolol, esmolol, labetalol, metoprolol,
nadolol, penbutolol, pindolol, propranolol, timolol).
     * Tell your doctor if you now have or if you have ever had allergies,
asthma, hay fever, eczema, slow heartbeat, bronchitis, diabetes mellitus,
emphysema, heart or blood vessel disease, kidney disease, liver disease,
thyroid disease, or poor circulation in the fingers or toes.
     * You may want to check your pulse while taking this medication.  If your
pulse is much slower than your usual rate (or if it is less than 50 beats per
minute), check with your doctor.  A pulse rate that is too slow may cause
circulation problems.
     * Atenolol may affect your body's response to exercise.  Make sure you
discuss with your doctor a safe amount of exercise for your medical condition.
     * It is important that you do not stop taking this medicine without first
checking with your doctor.  Some conditions may become worse when the medicine
is stopped suddenly, and the danger of a heart attack is increased in some
patients.  Your doctor may want you to gradually reduce the amount of medicine
you take before stopping completely.  Make sure that you have enough medicine
on hand to last through vacations, holidays, and weekends.
     * Before having surgery or any other medical or dental treatment, tell
the physician or dentist that you are taking this medicine.  Often, this
medication will be discontinued 48 hours prior to any major surgery.
     * This medicine can cause dizziness, drowsiness, light-headedness, or
decreased alertness.  Therefore, exercise caution while driving a car or using
any potentially dangerous equipment.
     * While taking this medicine, do not use any over-the-counter
(nonprescription) asthma, allergy, cough, cold, sinus, or diet preparations
unless you first check with your pharmacist or doctor.  Some of these
medicines can cause high blood pressure when taken at the same time as a beta
blocker.
     * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant.  Animal studies have
shown that some beta blockers can cause problems in pregnancy when used at
very high doses.  Adequate studies have not been done in humans, but there has
been some association between beta blockers used during pregnancy and low
birth weight, as well as breathing problems and slow heart rate in the newborn
infants.  However, other reports have shown no effects on newborn infants.
Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant.  Small amounts of
atenolol may pass into breast milk.

----------------

The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace 
the counsel and advice of your personal physician.  Promptly consulting your 
doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical 
problem.
