Tenormin

Side effects

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

- Headache
- Slower than normal heart beat (bradycardia)
- Dry mouth
- Changes in mood
- Fatigue
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- Visual disturbances
- Dizziness
- Breathing difficulties due to a narrowing of the airways (bronchospasm)
- A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
- Narrowing of the blood vessels in the hands leading to periods of white, painful hands (Raynaud's disease).
- Cramping pain in the leg (calf) muscles on exertion (intermittent claudication).
- Rash
- Cold extremities, eg hands and feet

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

How can this medicine affect other medicines?

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

In people with diabetes, atenolol can prolong the lowering of blood sugar (hypoglycaemia) caused by insulin or other antidiabetic medicines. Individuals should monitor their blood sugar, as atenolol can also mask the signs of hypoglycaemia.

If atenolol is taken together with calcium channel blockers such as verapamil or diltiazem, the risk of slow heart rate, low blood pressure and heart failure may be increased. Atenolol should not be injected into a vein (intravenously) within 48 hours of discontinuing verapamil or diltiazem and vice versa.

If atenolol is taken with nifedepine and possibly other calcium channel blockers, the risk of a severe fall in blood pressure and heart failure may be increased.

If atenolol is taken in combination with clonidine to lower blood pressure, there is a risk of a rebound increase in blood pressure if the clonidine is stopped. To avoid this, the atenolol should be stopped several days before slowly stopping the clonidine.

Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as indomethacin may reduce the blood pressure lowering effects of atenolol.

Care should be taken when adrenaline is given with atenolol as this combination can cause severe high blood pressure and slow heart rate.

If atenolol is taken with digoxin or anti-arrhythmic medicines such as disopyramide there may be an increased risk of slow heart rate.

Other medicines containing the same active ingredient

Atenix

Atenolol tablets are also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.

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