How should I take atenolol?
Take atenolol exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger
amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Take this medication with a full glass of water.
Take atenolol at the same time every day.
Do not skip doses or stop taking atenolol without first talking to your doctor.
Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be
checked on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon that you are using atenolol. You
may need to briefly stop using atenolol before having surgery.
Atenolol 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.
Hypertension often has no symptoms, so you may not even feel that you have high blood
pressure. Continue using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. You may need to use
blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Store atenolol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If your next dose is less than 8 hours
away, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this
medicine.
Symptoms of an atenolol overdose may include uneven heartbeats, shortness of breath,
bluish-colored fingernails, dizziness, weakness, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).
What should I avoid while taking atenolol?
Atenolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be
careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are
taking atenolol.
What are the possible side effects of atenolol?
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:
-
slow or uneven heartbeats;
-
feeling light-headed, fainting;
-
feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
-
swelling of your ankles or feet;
-
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark
urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
-
depression; or
-
cold feeling in your hands and feet.
Other less serious side effects are more likely to occur, such as:
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.
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