Sandoz Atenolol: Uses, Side Effects and Dosage

What is Sandoz Atenolol used for?

Sandoz Atenolol is used to treat high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) in adults. It can be used alone or with other medicines.

Sandoz Atenolol is also used to prevent chest pain (also known as angina) in adults.

How does Sandoz Atenolol work?

Sandoz Atenolol belongs to a group of drugs called “beta blockers”. It makes your heart beat more slowly and less forcefully. This medicine does not cure your disease but helps to control it.

What are the ingredients in Sandoz Atenolol?

Medicinal ingredients: atenolol

Non-medicinal ingredients: microcrystalline cellulose, polyethylene glycol, croscarmellose sodium, magnesium stearate, talc, colloidal silicon dioxide, sodium lauryl sulfate, purified water.

Sandoz Atenolol comes in the following dosage forms:

Tablets: 50 mg and 100 mg

Do not use Sandoz Atenolol if you:

• are allergic to atenolol or any of the ingredients in Sandoz Atenolol.
• have slow or irregular heartbeats or if you have been told that you have heart block.
• have severe heart damage and your heart is not able to pump enough blood to meet your body’s needs.
• have heart failure and you notice that your symptoms are getting worse. For example you feel more tired, are out of breath more often, or have swelling of the ankles.
• have a problem with your heart’s electrical conduction (that causes you to have chest pain, difficulty breathing, nausea, fatigue and fainting).
• have low blood pressure.
• have serious problems with blood flow in your feet and legs (peripheral artery disease).
• have loss of sensation with agents that cause heart failure.
• have a condition called pheochromocytoma (a tumour of the adrenal gland).
• have a condition called metabolic acidosis (abnormal levels of acids in your blood).
• are 18 years or younger.

To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take Sandoz Atenolol. Talk about any health conditions or problems you may have, including if you:

• have a history of heart problems.
• have a history of fainting.
• have asthma or other lung problems (like bronchitis or emphysema).
• have thyroid problems.
• have kidney problems.
• have circulation problems.
• have diabetes and take medicine to control your blood sugar or have low blood sugar (hypoglycemia).
• have ever been told that you suffer from a particular type of chest pain (angina), called Prinzmetal’s angina.
• have had allergic reactions or have allergies.
• develop a skin rash while taking Sandoz Atenolol.

• are pregnant, are trying or planning on becoming pregnant. Sandoz Atenolol is not usually recommended for use during pregnancy. Your healthcare professional will consider the benefit to you versus the risk to your unborn baby.

• are breastfeeding. You should not breastfeed while using Sandoz Atenolol.

Other warnings you should know about:

Do not stop taking Sandoz Atenolol suddenly. This could cause chest pain or a heart attack. If your doctor decides that you should stop taking Sandoz Atenolol, your dose may be reduced so that you need to use it less and less before you stop the medication completely.

Tell your doctor if you are going into the hospital for an operation. If you go into the hospital, let the medical staff know and in particular the anaesthetist (if you are having an operation) that you are taking Sandoz Atenolol.

Driving and using machines: Before doing tasks that require special attention, wait until you know how you respond to Sandoz Atenolol.

You may notice that your pulse rate becomes slower while taking Sandoz Atenolol. This is normal but if you are concerned, please talk to your doctor about it.

Tell your healthcare professional about all the medicines you take, including any drugs, vitamins, minerals, natural supplements or alternative medicines.

The following may interact with Sandoz Atenolol:

• drugs used for lowering blood pressure or treating angina:

  • beta-blockers (such as clonidine)
  • calcium channel blockers (such as verapamil, diltiazem or nifedipine)
  • catecholamine-depleting drugs (such as reserpine or guanethidine)
• drugs used to treat irregular heartbeats (such as disopyramid or amiodarone)
• drugs used to treat heart failure (such as digoxin)
• non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents (NSAIDs) (such as indomethacine or ibuprofen)
• anesthetic drugs used during surgery
• fingolimod, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis

How to take Sandoz Atenolol:

Take Sandoz Atenolol:

• exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
• by swallowing the tablet whole with water.
• at the same time each day.

Your doctor:

• will decide how much Sandoz Atenolol you should take each day depending on your condition.
• may add another medicine like a diuretic (water pill) and/or a vasodilator for you to take along with Sandoz Atenolol to treat your high blood pressure.

If you have the impression that the effect of Sandoz Atenolol is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.

Do not stop taking Sandoz Atenolol or change your dose without consulting your doctor. This can be dangerous.

Usual adult dose:

High Blood Pressure:

The usual recommended dose is 50 mg to 100 mg taken once a day.

Chest Pain:

The usual recommended dose is 50 mg to 100 mg taken once a day. Up to 200 mg per day may be required in some patients.

Overdose:

If you think you have taken too much Sandoz Atenolol, contact your healthcare professional, hospital emergency department or regional Poison Control Centre immediately, even if there are no symptoms.

Missed Dose:

If you miss a dose, take the dose as soon as you remember. Do not take two doses at the same time.

What are possible side effects from using Sandoz Atenolol?

These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking Sandoz Atenolol. If you experience any side effects not listed here, contact your healthcare professional.

Side effects may include:

• cough
• cold fingers and toes
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• dry mouth
• headache
• joint and back pain
• nausea
• tiredness
• trouble sleeping
• vertigo

Serious side effects and what to do about them

Serious side effects and what to do about them

If you have a troublesome symptom or side effect that is not listed here or becomes bad enough to interfere with your daily activities, talk to your healthcare professional.

Reporting Side Effects

You can help improve the safe use of health products for Canadians by reporting serious and unexpected side effects to Health Canada. Your report may help to identify new side effects and change the product safety information.

3 ways to report:

• Online at MedEffect;
• By calling 1-866-234-2345 (toll-free);

• By completing a Consumer Side Effect Reporting Form and sending it by:

  • Fax to 1-866-678-6789 (toll-free), or

  • Mail to: Canada Vigilance Program

    Health Canada, Postal Locator 0701E Ottawa, ON

    K1A 0K9

    Postage paid labels and the Consumer Side Effect Reporting Form are available at MedEffect.

NOTE: Contact your health professional if you need information about how to manage your side effects. The Canada Vigilance Program does not provide medical advice.

Storage:

Store at room temperature (15º to 30ºC).

Protect from light and moisture.

Do not take your tablets after the expiry date on the container.

Keep out of reach and sight of children.

If you want more information about Sandoz Atenolol:

• Talk to your healthcare professional
• Find the full product monograph that is prepared for healthcare professionals and includes this Patient Medication Information by visiting the Health Canada website; the manufacturer’s website www.sandoz.ca or by calling 1-800-361-3062.

Last revised: November 21, 2016.