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- What is atenolol and chlorthalidone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
- What brand names are available for atenolol and chlorthalidone?
- Is atenolol and chlorthalidone available as a generic drug?
- Do I need a prescription for atenolol and chlorthalidone?
- What are the side effects of atenolol and chlorthalidone?
- What is the dosage for atenolol and chlorthalidone?
- Which drugs or supplements interact with atenolol and chlorthalidone?
- Is atenolol and chlorthalidone safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
- What else should I know about atenolol and chlorthalidone?
What is atenolol and chlorthalidone, and how does it work (mechanism of action)?
Atenolol/chlorthalidone is a combination of atenolol (Tenormin) and chlorthalidone (Hygroton) used for the treatment of high blood pressure. Atenolol is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent that blocks the effects of adrenergic drugs, for example, adrenaline or epinephrine, on nerves of the sympathetic nervous system. Atenolol reduces the heart rate and is useful in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Atenolol also reduces the force of contraction of heart muscle and lowers blood pressure. Chlorthalidone is a diuretic (water pill). It works by reducing the kidneys' ability to hold on to salt and water and increasing the kidneys' production of urine (diuresis). It is used to eliminate excess salt and water from the body and to treat high blood pressure. The FDA approved atenolol/chlorthalidone in June 1984.
What are the side effects of atenolol and chlorthalidone?
Side effects of Atenolol/chlorthalidone are similar to side effects form the individual components and are:
- Drowsiness
- Nausea
- Weakness
- Headache
- Loss of electrolytes
- Slow heart rate
- Low blood pressure
- Cold extremities
- Dizziness
- Unusual dreams
- Impotence
- Sun sensitivity
Quick GuideHow to Lower Blood Pressure: Exercise Tips
What is the dosage for atenolol and chlorthalidone?
The recommended dose of atenolol/chlorthalidone is one tablet once daily starting with 50 mg/25 mg then increasing to 100 mg/25 mg if blood pressure control is not adequate.
Which drugs or supplements interact with atenolol and chlorthalidone?
- Chlorthalidone can lower blood potassium and magnesium levels because both potassium and magnesium are lost in the urine.
- Chlorthalidone reduces the kidney's ability to eliminate lithium (Lithobid) in the urine. As a result, patients taking chlorthalidone at the same time as drugs containing lithium may develop high levels of lithium and/or lithium toxicity.
- Atenolol can mask the early warning symptoms of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia), and should be used with caution in patients receiving treatment for diabetes. Combining atenolol with other drugs that reduce blood pressure or slow heart rate may lead to excessive blood pressure reduction or low heart rate.
Is atenolol and chlorthalidone safe to take if I'm pregnant or breastfeeding?
Atenolol is excreted in breast milk and may adversely affect the infant. Atenolol/chlorthalidone should be avoided while breastfeeding.
What else should I know about atenolol and chlorthalidone?
What preparations of atenolol and chlorthalidone are available?
Tablets: atenolol 50mg and chlorthalidone 25mg; atenolol 100mg and chlorthalidone 25mg.
How should I keep atenolol and chlorthalidone stored?
Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15C and 30 C (59 F and 86 F).
Summary
Atenolol and chlorthalidone (Tenoretic) is a combination drug prescribed to treat high blood pressure and abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Side effects, drug interactions, storage, dosing, and pregnancy asfety information should be reviewed prior to taking this medication.
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You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
Reference: FDA Prescribing Information
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atenolol
Atenolol (Tenormin)is a beta-adrenergic blocking agent, blocking the action of the sympathetic nervous system, a portion of the involuntary nervous system. Atenolol is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure (hypertension), used to treat chest pain (angina pectoris) related to coronary artery disease, and is also useful in slowing and regulating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates (tachycardias). Other uses for atenolol include the prevention of migraine headaches and the treatment of certain types of tremors (familial or hereditary essential tremors). It is important to be aware of the drug interactions related to atenolol, effects on pregnancy, as well as common side effects on the user.Beta Blockers
Beta blockers are a class of drugs that block beta-adrenergic substances such as adrenaline (epinephrine), a key agent in the "sympathetic" portion of the autonomic (involuntary) nervous system and activation of heart muscle. By blocking the action of the involuntary nervous system on the heart, beta blockers relieve stress on the heart.
Beta blockers are used for the treatment of irregular heart rhythms, chest pain, heart attack, hypertension, migraine headaches, social phobias, tremors, and glaucoma.
Common side effects of beta blockers are nausea, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea, and weight gain if you are taking medicine for diabetes (type 1 and type 2). There are other important side effects and serious adverse effects of this drug class that include, blurred vision, insomnia, hair loss, disorientation, CNS system effects, and serious heart problems.
Beta blockers interact with several other drugs, for example, chlorpromazine (Thorazine), clonidine (Catapres), Phenobarbital, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) including aspirin, and diabetes medications, including insulin.
Examples of generic and brand names available for beta blockers in the US include acebutolol (Sectral), atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), metoprolol (Lopressor, Lopressor LA, Toprol XL), nadolol (Corgard), timolol (Blocadren). Talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other medical professional if you have questions about beta-blockers.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist. In the US -Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.chlorthalidone
Chlorthalidone (Thalitone [Hygroton discontinued brand in USA]) is a medication prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and edema. Side effects, drug interactions, dosing information, and pregnancy safety should be reviewed prior to taking any medication.Drug Interactions
Drug interactions occur frequently. Get facts about the types of drug interactions, what substances or other things that may interact with drugs such as OTC drug and prescription drugs, vitamins, food(s) (grapefruit), and laboratory tests. Find out how to protect yourself from potential drug interactions.Drugs: What You Should Know About Your Drugs
Important information about your drugs should be reviewed prior to taking any prescription drug. Side effects, drug interactions, warnings and precauctions, dosage, what the drug is used for, what to do if you miss a dose, how the drug is to be stored, and generic vs. brand names.Heart Symptoms
Heart attacks symptoms vary greatly for men and women, from anxiety and fatigue to nausea and sweating. Learn the warning signs of a heart attack and know the symptoms that may require an immediate trip to the hospital.Illustrations of the Heart
The muscle that pumps blood received from veins into arteries throughout the body. See a picture of the Heart and learn more about the health topic.Heart Rhythm Disorders
Heart rhythm disorders vary from minor palpitations, premature atrial contractions (PACs), premature ventricular contractions (PVCs), sinus tachycardia, and sinus brachycardia, to abnormal heart rhythms such as tachycardia, ventricular fibrillation, ventricular flutter, atrial fibrillation, atrial flutter, paroxysmal supraventricular tachycardia (PSVT), Wolf-Parkinson-White syndrome, brachycardia, or heart blocks. Treatment is dependent upon the type of heart rhythm disorder.High Blood Pressure Hypertension
High blood pressure (hypertension) is a disease in which pressure within the arteries of the body is elevated. About 75 million people in the US have hypertension (1 in 3 adults), and only half of them are able to manage it. Many people do not know that they have high blood pressure because it often has no has no warning signs or symptoms.
Systolic and diastolic are the two readings in which blood pressure is measured. The American College of Cardiology released new guidelines for high blood pressure in 2017. The guidelines now state that blood normal blood pressure is 120/80 mmHg. If either one of those numbers is higher, you have high blood pressure.
The American Academy of Cardiology defines high blood pressure slightly differently. The AAC considers 130/80 mm Hg. or greater (either number) stage 1 hypertension. Stage 2 hypertension is considered 140/90 mm Hg. or greater.
If you have high blood pressure you are at risk of developing life threatening diseases like stroke and heart attack.
REFERENCE: CDC. High Blood Pressure. Updated: Nov 13, 2017.
High Blood Pressure
What causes high blood pressure (hypertension)? Know the warning signs and symptoms of high blood pressure. Read about high blood pressure medications, diet, and long term treatments.Take the HBP Quiz
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High blood pressure (hypertension) means high pressure (tension) in the arteries. Treatment for high blood pressure include lifestyle modifications (alcohol, smoking, coffee, salt, diet, exercise), drugs and medications such as ACE inhibitors, angiotensin receptor blockers, beta blockers, diuretics, calcium channel blockers (CCBs), alpha blockers, clonidine, minoxidil, and Exforge.Cholesterol Quiz
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Migraine headache is a type of headache associated with a sensitivity to light, smells, or sounds, eye pain, severe pounding on one side of the head, and sometimes nausea and vomiting. The exact cause of migraine headaches is not known.Triggers for migraine headaches include certain foods, stress, hormonal changes, strong stimuli (loud noises), and oversleeping.
Treatment guidelines for migraines include medicine, pain management, diet changes, avoiding foods that trigger migraines, staying hydrated, getting adequate sleep, and exercising regularly. Prevention of migraine triggers include getting regular exercise, drinking water daily, reducing stress, and avoiding trigger foods.
Side Effects and Adverse Effects of Beta Blockers
Beta blockers (beta-adrenergic blocking agents) is a class of drugs that block norepinephrine and adrenaline from binding to beta receptors on nerves. Beta blockers inhibit (block) these two hormones, thereby reducing heart rate and blood vessels. There are a variety of drugs in this class, for example, atenolol (Tenormin), carvedilol (Coreg), and metoprolol (Lopressor, Toprol XL).
Common side effects of these drugs include:
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramps
- Diarrhea
Other important side effects include:
- Insomnia
- Blurred vision
- Rash
- Fatigue
- Hair Loss
- Weakness
These drugs also cause central nervous system (CNS) effects like:
- Hallucinations
- Nightmares
- Confusion
- Depression
- Headache
Other serious side effects of beta-blockers include:
- Lupus erythematous
- Bronchospasm
- Serious allergic reactions
- Erythema multiform
- Steven Johnson Syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
