Tenormin
Atenolol
Drug Class and Mechanism of Action of Tenormin
Tenormin is a beta-adrenergic blocking drug. It blocks the action of the sympathetic nervous system which is a portion of the autonomic nervous system. The sympathetic nervous system controls the heart rate. By blocking the action of sympathetic nerves, Tenormin reduces the heart rate and that is why it is used in treating abnormally rapid heart rhythms. Tenormin also reduces the force of contraction of heart and lowers blood pressure. By reducing the heart rate and the force of contraction, it reduces oxygen demand of heart.
Therapeutic Uses of Tenormin
Tenormin is used in treatment of high blood pressure or hypertension. It is also used in treatment of anginal chest pain (which is related to coronary artery) and fast heart rate (useful in slowing and regulating certain types of abnormally rapid heart rates). Tenormin is also used in the prevention of migraine headaches and the treatment of certain types of tremors (familial or hereditary essential tremors).
Direction of use of Tenormin
Tenormin should be taken before meal or at bedtime with a glass of water or as per direction of your doctor. Keep taking Tenormin without missing any dose of it even if you feel better. If you stop taking Tenormin, your symptoms may comeback again.
If You Miss a Dose of Tenormin
If you miss a dose of Tenormin, you should take it as soon as you can remember it, if it is more than 8 hours before the next dose. If you remember the missed dose of Tenormin when it is less than 8 hours for the next dose, you should skip the missed dose of it and continue taking the medication as regular schedule. Do not take 2 doses at a time to compensate for the missed dose.
How to Store Tenormin
Tenormin should be stored at room temperature. Store it away from heat, moisture, direct light in a tightly closed container. Keep Tenormin out of reach of your children. Do not store it in bathroom.
More Information About Tenormin
You should monitor your blood pressure and pulse rate regularly as per direction of your doctor. If you do not know how to check blood pressure you should ask your doctor or pharmacist how to properly measure your blood pressure and pulse rate. Do not share Tenormin with others for whom it was not prescribed and you should not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If you are using this medicine for prolonged period of time, you should obtain refills before your supply runs out.
There are several lifestyle changes that can be beneficial in reducing your blood pressure and you should discuss with your doctor about appropriate diet and exercise programs that may be helpful to you to reduce blood pressure.
Precautions to be Taken While Taking Tenormin
- Tenormin can aggravate respiratory problems in patients with asthma, chronic bronchitis, or emphysema.
- You should not use Tenormin if you are pregnant. This medicine has been shown to cause harm to the human fetus. If you are planning pregnancy, you should discuss with your doctor about the benefits and risks of using this medicine during pregnancy. This medicine is excreted in breast milk. if you are or will be breast-feeding while you are using this medicine, check with your doctor or pharmacist to discuss the risks to your baby.
- Tenormin can cause dangerously slow heart rates, and sometimes even shock in patients who are suffering from slow heart rates (bradycardias) and heart blocks which is usually due to defects in the electrical conduction of the heart. Tenormin can aggravate heart failure because it reduces the force of contraction of heart muscles.
- If Tenormin is administered together with calcium channel blockers and digoxin (Lanoxin), it can cause lowering of blood pressure and heart rate to dangerous levels.
- If Tenormin is stopped suddenly it can cause worsening of angina, and occasionally precipitate heart attacks, particularly in patients with coronary artery disease. If you have to discontinue Tenormin, its dosage can be reduced gradually over several weeks, otherwise it may cause problem (like rebound hypertension if given for treatment of high blood pressure).
- Tenormin may mask the early warning symptoms and signs of low blood sugar (hypoglycemia) in diabetes patients, and should be used with caution in patients with diabetes.
- Do not take Tenormin if you are allergic to it or are allergic to any ingredient in this product.
- Do not stop taking Tenormin without consulting your doctor. Some medical conditions may become worse when Tenormin is stopped suddenly. Your dose of Tenormin should be slowly lowered to avoid worsening of these medical problems. Keep all doctor and laboratory appointments while you are taking this medicine.
- You should inform your doctor or dentist that you take Tenormin before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery.
- Tenormin may cause drowsiness or dizziness and you should not drive or operate heavy machinery, or do anything else that need constant monitoring and attention, until you know how you react to this medicine.
- Before you go for any allergy tests or shots, you should tell your doctor that you are using this medicine. This medicine may increase your risk for a serious reaction to the allergy shot.
- Before taking any new medicine, either prescription or over the counter (OTC) medicines, you should ask your doctor or other health care provider, including any medicines used to treat colds or nasal congestion.
- You should be very cautious when using this medicine in the elderly because they may be more sensitive to the side effects of this medicine.
- If Tenormin is given to patients with diabetes mellitus, this medicine may mask signs of low blood sugar such as a rapid heart rate, sweating, tremor, restlessness etc. you should check blood glucose levels regularly and inform your doctor if there is any problem with blood sugar.
Possible Adverse Effects of Tenormin
- Tenormin is generally a safe medicine with very few side effects. Many of the side effects of Tenormin are mild and transient. Mild side effects of Tenormin are nausea, diarrhea, constipation, fatigue, insomnia, lightheadedness, dreaming, numbness, tingling, fever, cold extremities, sore throat, and shortness of breath or wheezing etc. Consult your doctor if any of these mild side effects become bothersome and persistent.
- Rare side effects of this medicine include abdominal cramps, depression, memory loss, impotence, slow heart rate, low blood pressure etc. If you experience any side effects like this you should consult your doctor immediately.