Atenolol

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 improve survival after a heart attack. Atenolol is in a class of medications called beta blockers. It works by relaxing blood vessels and slowing heart rate to improve blood flow and decrease blood pressure.

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 carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take atenolol exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. 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 to take atenolol even if you feel well. Do not stop taking atenolol without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Atenolol may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dizziness</li>
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lightheadedness</li>
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tiredness</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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depression</li>
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nausea</li>
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diarrhea</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>Some side effects can be serious. The following symptoms are uncommon, but if you experience any of them, call your doctor immediately:

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shortness of breath</li>
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swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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unusual weight gain</li>
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fainting</li></ul>Atenolol may cause other side effects. Call your doctor if you have any unusual problems while taking this medication.If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking atenolol, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to atenolol or any other medications. tell 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 drugs (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. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had 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. if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking atenolol. 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.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911. Symptoms of overdose may include:

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lack of energy</li>
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difficulty breathing</li>
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wheezing</li>
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slow heartbeat</li>
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fainting</li>
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swelling of the hands, feet, ankles, or lower legs</li>
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unusual weight gain</li>
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shakiness</li>
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dizziness</li>
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rapid heartbeat</li>
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sweating or confusion</li>
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blurred vision</li>
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headache</li>
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numbness or tingling of the mouth</li>
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weakness</li>
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excessive tiredness</li>
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pale color</li>
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sudden hunger</li></ul>