What is Atenolol 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 other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about Atenolol 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.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atenolol (Tenormin) or chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), or if you have a serious 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 you take atenolol and chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, angina (chest pain), liver or kidney disease, a lung disorder, diabetes, gout, lupus, a thyroid disorder, adrenal gland tumor, psoriasis, or circulation problems.

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 discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Atenolol Chlorthalidone?

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atenolol (Tenormin) or chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), or if you have:

a serious 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)

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take atenolol and chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

congestive heart failure
angina (chest pain)
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

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use atenolol and chlorthalidone without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

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.

Atenolol Chlorthalidone Side Effects

What are the possible side effects of Atenolol 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 like you might pass out
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

Less serious side effects may include:

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

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. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Atenolol Chlorthalidone Interactions

What other drugs affect Atenolol Chlorthalidone?

Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:

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)
heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) or disopyramide (Norpace)
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)

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with 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 should I avoid while taking Atenolol 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.

Atenolol Chlorthalidone Dosage

How should I take Atenolol 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.

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 appointments.

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

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

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.

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

What happens if I overdose on Atenolol Chlorthalidone?

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

Overdose symptoms may include extreme tiredness, trouble breathing, wheezing, slow heart rate, chest pain, swelling, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What happens if I miss a dose of Atenolol 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.

Edited from everydayhealth.com

Atenolol Chlorthalidone