Part Two of Tenormin Information, Focusing on Side Effects, Discontinuation or Withdrawal Effects, and Additional Information

This second section of our medication database entry focuses on potential side effects, withdrawal or discontinuation effects, and additional information, while part one covers basic drug characteristics, uses and benefits.

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What are the possible side effects of atenolol?

  • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking atenolol and call your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
    • an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; hives);
    • wheezing or shortness of breath;
    • an unusually slow or irregular heart beat;
    • swelling of your feet and/or lower legs;
    • leg pain or cramping;
    • sudden weight gain (more than 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week);
    • chest (heart) pain;
    • cold or blue feet and hands; or
    • skin rash.
  • If you experience any of the following less serious side effects, continue taking atenolol and talk to your doctor:
    • fatigue or confusion;
    • headache or dizziness;
    • weak pulse or mildly slow heart rate;
    • diarrhea, constipation, gas, nausea, or vomiting;
    • depression;
    • nightmares; or
    • impotence (difficulty obtaining or maintaining an erection).
  • 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 other drugs will affect atenolol?

  • Before taking atenolol, tell your doctor if you are taking
    • a heart medication such as nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), reserpine (Serpasil), verapamil (Calan, Verelan, Isoptin), diltiazem (Cardizem, Dilacor XR), clonidine (Catapres), digoxin (Lanoxin), doxazosin (Cardura), guanadrel (Hylorel), prazosin (Minipress), or terazosin (Hytrin);
    • a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
    • a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, others), naproxen (Aleve, Anaprox, Naprosyn, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and others;
    • a respiratory medication such as albuterol (Ventolin, Proventil, Volmax, others), bitolterol (Tornalate), metaproterenol (Alupent, Metaprel), pirbuterol (Maxair), terbutaline (Brethaire, Brethine, Bricanyl), or theophylline (Theo-Dur, Theochron, Theolair, others);
    • the stomach medication cimetidine (Tagamet, Tagamet HB); or
    • prescription or over-the-counter cough medicines, cold medicines, or diet pills.
  • You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
  • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with atenolol or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.

Where can I get more information?

  • Your pharmacist has additional information about atenolol written for health professionals that you may read.
  • Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and only use this medication for the condition prescribed.

Limitations and the Source of Our Online Medication Information Database

Although we have made considerable efforts to ensure that the information provided here is accurate, up-to-date, and complete, MedLibrary.org makes no guarantee to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive. This medication information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend any specific pharmacotherapy. This is an educational resource only -- intended to supplement but not to replace the expertise, skill, knowledge and judgment of medically qualified 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. 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, please check with your doctor, nurse or local pharmacist. MedLibrary.org does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information provided here.

Full public license and copyright information is available separately from Cerner Multum, Inc.

Version: 5.03. Revision date: 6/3/03.

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