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What is atenolol-chlorthalidone?

Atenolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

Chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

The combination of atenolol and chlorthalidone is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).

Atenolol and chlorthalidone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

Precautions

Instructions

Side Effects

Interactions

Precautions

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to atenolol (Tenormin) or chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), or if you have:

• a serious heart problem such as heart block, or slow heart rate;
• if you are unable to urinate; or
• if you are allergic to sulfa drugs (such as Bactrim, Septra, and others).

If you have certain conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before you take atenolol and chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• congestive heart failure;
• angina (chest pain);
• liver or kidney disease;
• asthma, bronchitis, or other lung disorder;
• diabetes;
• gout;
• lupus;
• a thyroid disorder;
• adrenal gland tumor (also called pheochromocytoma);
• psoriasis; or
• problems with circulation.

FDA pregnancy category D. Do not use atenolol and chlorthalidone without telling your doctor if you are pregnant. It could harm the unborn baby. Use effective birth control, and tell your doctor if you become pregnant during treatment.

Atenolol and chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

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Instructions

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Overdose symptoms may include extreme tiredness, trouble breathing, wheezing, slow heart rate, chest pain, swelling, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at your next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

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Side Effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• chest pain or heavy feeling, pain spreading to the arm or shoulder, nausea, sweating, general ill feeling;
• slow or uneven heartbeats;
• feeling like you might pass out;
• feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, decreased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting;
• nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;
• confusion, hallucinations; or
• cold feeling in your hands and feet.

Less serious side effects may include:

• dizziness, tired feeling, depressed mood;
• dreaming more than usual;
• mild nausea, diarrhea, constipation, loss of appetite;
• headache, blurred vision, dry eyes;
• skin rash, itching; or
• impotence, loss of interest in sex, or trouble having an orgasm.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

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Interactions

Tell your doctor about all other medications you are using, especially:

• other blood pressure medications, especially clonidine (Catapres), amlodipine (Norvasc), diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nicardipine (Cardene), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), nimodipine (Nimotop), nisoldipine (Sular), reserpine (Serpasil), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan);
• digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
• dobutamine (Dobutrex);
• indomethacin (Indocin);
• isoproterenol (Isuprel Mistometer);
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid);
• a diabetes medication such as insulin, glyburide (Diabeta, Micronase, Glynase), glipizide (Glucotrol), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), or metformin (Glucophage);
• heart rhythm medication such as amiodarone (Cordarone, Pacerone) or disopyramide (Norpace);
• a diuretic (water pill) such as chlorothiazide (Diuril), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Hyzaar, Lopressor, Vasoretic, Zestoretic), chlorthalidone (Hygroton, Thalitone), indapamide (Lozol), metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn), and others; or
• steroid medications (prednisone and others).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with atenolol and chlorthalidone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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