Buy Tenormin (Atenolol)

Tenormin® (Atenolol) patient handout

• Tenormin (Atenolol) is used in the mangement of hypertension; management of angina pectoris; prevention of myocardial infarction.

• Tenormin blocks stimulation of beta, adrenergic receptors; does not usually affect beta2 (pulmonary, vascular, uterine) receptor sites.
• Therapeutic effects of Tenormin : decreased blood pressure and heart rate; decreased frequency of attacks of angina pectoris; prevention of myocardial infarction.

• Absorption Absorption describes the process that follows drug administration and its subsequent delivery to systemic circulation. : 50%-60% absorbed after oral administration.
• Distribution Drug's distribution in body tissues and fluids. : minimal penetration of central nervous system.Crosses the placenta and enters breast milk.
• Metabolism and excretion Important in determining dosage regimens and intervals for persons with hepatic or impaired renal function. : 40%-50% excreted unchanged by the kidneys; remainder excreted in feces as unabsorbed drug.
• Half life The half-life of a drug is the amount of time it takes the drug level to decrease by 50% and roughly correlates with the duration of action. : 6 - 9 hours.

• Tenormin is contraindicated in : pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock, bradycardia or heart block.
• Use Tenormin cautiously in : renal impairment (dosage reduction recommended if CCr < 35 ml/min); hepatic impairment; geriatric persons (increased sensitivity to beta blockers; initial dosage reduction recommended); pulmonary disease (including asthma; beta selectivity may be lost at higher doses); diabetes mellitus (may mask signs of hypoglycemia); thyrotoxicosis severe allergic reactions (intensity of reactions may be increased); pregnancy, lactation or children (safety not established; all agents cross the placenta and may cause fetal/neonatal bradycardia, hypotension, hypoglycemia or respiratory depression).

• Tenormin (Atenolol) adverse reactions and side effects can be : fatigue, weakness, anxiety, depression, dizziness, drowsiness, insomnia, memory loss, mental status changes, nervousness, nightmares, blurred vision, stuffy nose, bronchospasm, wheezin, hypotension, constipation, diarrhea, liver function abnormalities, nausea, vomiting, impotence, decreased libido, rashes, hypoglycemia, back pain, joint pain.

Oral administration (adults) :

• Oral adminsitration (adults) : CCr 15-35 ml/min - dosage should not exceed 50 mg/day; Ccr < 15 ml/min - dosage should not exceed 50 mg every other day.
• Intravenous (adults) : Myocardial Infarction - 5 mg, followed by another 5 mg after 10 minutes; after 10 more minutes follow with oral dosing.

• Oral administration (adults) : take apical pulse before administering drug.If < 50 bpm or if arrhythmia occurs, withholld medication and notify physician or other health care professional.
• Direct Intravenous : intrevenous therapy for acute myocardial infarction should be initiated as soons as possible after person arrives at the hospital.
• May be diluted in D5W, 0,9% NaCl or D5/0,9% NaCl.Stable for 48 hours.Administer 5 mg of Tenormin (Atenolol) over 5 minutes, followed by another 5 mg 10 minutes later.

• Take Tenormin as directed at the same time each day, even if feeling well; do not skip or double up on missed doses.If a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible up to 8 hours before next dose.Abrupt withdrawal may cause life-threatening arrhythmias, hypertension or myocardial ischemia.
• Make sure enough medication is available for weekends, holidays and vacantions.A written prescription may be kept in wallet in case of emergency.
• You should learn how to check pulse and blood pressure.Check pulse daily and blood pressure biweekly and report significat changes.
• Tenormin may cause drowsiness or dizziness.Avoid driving or other activities that require alertness until response to the drug is known.
• Change positions slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension.
• Tenormin (Atenolol) may increase sensitivity to cold.
• Consult health care professional before taking any OTC medications, especially cold preparations, concurrently with this medication.
• Persons with diabetes should closely monitor blood glucose, especially if weakness, malaise, irritability or fatigue occurs.Tenormin does not block sweating as a sign of hypoglycemia.
• Notify health care professional if slow pulse, difficulty breathing, wheezing, cold hand and feet, dizziness light-headedness, confusion, dpression, rash, fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding or bruising occurs.
• Inform health care professional of medication regimen before treatment or surgery.
• Carry identification describing disease process and medication regimen at all times.
• Reinforce the need to continue additional therapies for hypertension (weight loss, sodium restriction, stress reduction, regular exercise, moderation of alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation).Tenormin controls but does not cure hypertension.
• If pulse rate is below 60 beats/minute withhold Tenormin and call prescriber.