Tenoretic 50

Generic Name: atenolol-chlorthalidone
Other Brand Names: Tenoretic 100, atenolol-chlorthalidone

What is atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Atenolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

The combination of atenolol and chlorthalidone is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Atenolol and chlorthalidone may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Uses Side Effects Precautions Interactions Overdose
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to atenlolol (Tenormin) or chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), or if you have:

  • a heart problem such as heart block, or slow heart rate;

  • if you are unable to urinate; or

  • if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (such as Bactrim, Septra, and others).

Before taking this atenolol and chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

  • congestive heart failure;

  • liver or kidney disease;

  • asthma, bronchitis, or other lung disorder;

  • diabetes;

  • gout;

  • lupus;

  • a thyroid disorder;

  • adrenal gland tumor (also called pheochromocytoma);

  • psoriasis; or

  • problems with circulation.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use atenolol and chlorthalidone, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Do not use atenolol and chlorthalidone without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment. Use an effective form of birth control while you are using this medication.

Atenolol and chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Atenolol and chlorhtalidone January 9, 2007is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood and blood pressure will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

If you need to have any type of 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 medication can cause you to have unusual results with certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using atenolol and chlorthalidone.

Do not stop taking atenolol and chlorthalidone without the advice of your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause withdrawal symptoms.

If you do stop taking this medication for any reason, limit your physical activity to prevent heart problems. Your doctor may recommend that you start taking the medication again if you have withdrawal symptoms.

Store atenolol and chlorthalidone at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light.

What happens if I miss a dose of atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Where can I get more information about atenolol and chlorthalidone?
Your pharmacist has information about atenolol and chlorthalidone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;

  • slow or uneven heartbeats;

  • feeling light-headed, fainting;

  • feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;

  • swelling, rapid weight gain;

  • dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, decreased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;

  • nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);

  • easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  • confusion, hallucinations; or

  • cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:

  • dizziness, tired feeling, depressed mood;

  • dreaming more than usual;

  • mild nausea, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;

  • headache, blurred vision, dry eyes;

  • skin rash, itching; or

  • impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

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

Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could cause harm to the unborn baby. Use an effective form of birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

If you need to have any type of surgery or medical tests, tell the surgeon or doctor ahead of time that you are using atenolol and chlorthalidone.

Do not stop taking atenolol and chlorthalidone without the advice of your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse or cause withdrawal symptoms.

If you do stop taking this medication for any reason, limit your physical activity to prevent heart problems. Your doctor may recommend that you start taking the medication again if you have withdrawal symptoms.

Atenolol and chlorthalidone is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.

Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.

What should I avoid while taking atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. 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 other drugs will affect atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Before taking atenolol and chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:

  • other blood pressure medications, especially clonidine (Catapres), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), reserpine (Serpasil), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);

  • digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);

  • dobutamine (Dobutrex);

  • indomethacin (Indocin);

  • isoproterenol (Isuprel Mistometer);

  • lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);

  • a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);

  • a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others; or

  • steroid medications (prednisone and others).

If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to take atenolol and chlorthalidone, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.

There may be other drugs not listed that can affect atenolol and chlorthalidone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

What happens if I have an overdose of atenolol and chlorthalidone?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of an atenolol and chlorthalidone overdose may include extreme tiredness, trouble breathing, wheezing, slow heart rate, chest pain, swelling, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

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.
Content provided by Multum - Last Updated 2/11/2008