Health Centres - AtenixCo
How does it work?
This medicine contains two active ingredients, atenolol and chlortalidone (previously spelt chlorthalidone in the UK).
What is it used for?
Warning!
- This medicine may reduce your ability to drive or operate machinery safely. Do not drive or operate machinery until you know how this medicine affects you and you are sure it won't affect your performance.
- It is recommended that blood tests are performed regularly to monitor the level of potassium in the blood. If this level is too low, potassium supplements may be required.
- If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.
- As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
- If you should require local or general anaesthesia, it is important that you inform your anaesthetist you are taking this medicine.
- Treatment with this medicine should not be stopped abruptly, particularly in people with inadequate flow of blood to the heart (ischaemic heart disease).
Use with caution in
-
Angina not well controlled by medical treatment
-
Asthma
-
Chronic obstructive pulmonary disease
-
Diabetes
-
Gout
-
Heart failure
-
History of allergies
-
Hyperthyroidism
- Kidney disease
- Narrowing of arteries in the extremities (peripheral arterial disease)
-
Psoriasis
-
Thyrotoxicosis
Not to be used in
- A problem common in the elderly, related to poor control of the working of the heart (sick sinus syndrome)
-
Breastfeeding
- Defect of the heart's electrical message pathways resulting in decreased function of the heart (heart block)
- Failure of the heart to maintain adequate circulation of blood (cardiogenic shock)
- Increased acid levels in the blood (metabolic acidosis)
- Known sensitivity or allergy to any ingredient
- Low blood pressure (hypotension)
- Pregnancy
- Severe narrowing of arteries in the extremities (peripheral arterial disease)
- Slow heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute (bradycardia)
-
Uncontrolled heart failure
- Untreated tumour of the adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma)
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. It is recommended that mothers should avoid using this medicine while breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Label warnings
- Do not stop taking this medication except on your doctor's advice.
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