Patient Medication Information: uses, side effects, how to take - Teva-Atenolol/Chlorthalidone
What is TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE used for?
TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE is used to treat high blood pressure (also known as hypertension) in adults.
How does TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE work?
TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE contains two active ingredients: atenolol and chlorthalidone. Each active ingredient reduces blood pressure in a different way.
Atenolol belongs to a group of drugs called “beta blockers”.
- It makes your heart beat more slowly and less forcefully.
Chlorthalidone is a diuretic.
- It increases the amount of urine produced by the kidneys.
This medicine does not cure your disease but helps to control it.
What are the ingredients in TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE? Medicinal ingredients: atenolol and chlorthalidone
Non-medicinal ingredients: magnesium stearate, microcrystalline cellulose, povidone and sodium starch glycolate.
TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE comes in the following dosage forms: TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE 50/25 mg tablets: 50 mg atenolol and 25 mg chlorthalidone TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE 100/25 mg tablets: 100 mg atenolol and 25 mg chlorthalidone
Do not use TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE if you:
are allergic to atenolol, chlorthalidone or sulfonamide-derived drugs or any of the ingredients in
TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE.
- 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 unable to produce urine.
are pregnant, are trying or planning on becoming pregnant or breastfeeding.
- are 18 years or younger.
To help avoid side effects and ensure proper use, talk to your healthcare professional before you take TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE. 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 liver or kidney problems.
- have circulation problems.
- have lupus or gout.
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.
- have had a surgery on a nerve (sympathectomy).
- are dehydrated or suffer from excessive vomiting, diarrhea, or sweating.
- develop a skin rash while taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE.
Other warnings you should know about:
Do not stop taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE suddenly. This could cause chest pain or a heart attack. If your doctor decides that you should stop taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/ CHLORTHALIDONE, 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 anesthetist (if you are having an operation) that you are taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE.
Driving and using machines: Before doing tasks that require special attention, wait until you know how you respond to TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE.
You may notice that your pulse rate becomes slower while taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/ CHLORTHALIDONE. 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 TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE:
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)
- vasodilators
- 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
alcohol, sleeping pills (barbiturates) or strong pain medications (narcotics)
- norepinephrine, a heart stimulant
- lithium, a drug used to treat certain psychiatric disorders
- tubocurarine, a drug used to relax the muscles during surgery
- fingolimod, a drug used to treat multiple sclerosis
How to take TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE:
Take TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE:
- exactly as prescribed by your doctor.
- by swallowing the tablet whole with water.
- once a day, at the same time each day.
Your doctor will decide how much TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE you should take each day depending on your condition.
If you have the impression that the effect of TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE is too strong or too weak, talk to your doctor or pharmacist as soon as possible.
Do not stop taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE or change your dose without consulting your doctor. This can be dangerous.
Usual Adult Dose: One tablet per day.
Overdose:
If you think you have taken too much TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE, 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 a double dose to make up for the missed dose.
What are possible side effects from using TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE?
These are not all the possible side effects you may feel when taking TEVA-ATENOLOL/ CHLORTHALIDONE. 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
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate medical help | |
| Only if severe | In all cases | ||
| COMMON | |||
| Bradycardia: decreased heart rate that causes you to be dizzy or faint | √ | ||
| Chest pain | √ | ||
| Low levels of sodium or potassium in the blood: weakness, vomiting and cramps | √ | ||
| UNCOMMON | |||
| Allergic reactions: rash, swelling of the lips, face or neck, difficulty breathing or speaking | √ | ||
| RARE | |||
| Heart conduction disorders: feeling lightheaded, dizzy or passing out | √ | ||
| Hypotension (low blood pressure): dizziness or lightheadedness leading to fainting can occur when changing positions, for example from lying down to standing up | √ | ||
| Irregular heart beat or heart palpitations (skipped beats) | √ | ||
| Liver disorder: yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark urine, abdominal pain, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite | √ | ||
Serious Side Effects And What To Do About Them
| Symptom / effect | Talk to your healthcare professional | Stop taking drug and get immediate | |
| Leg swelling from fluid retention | √ | ||
| Memory problems | √ | ||
| Inflammation of the Pancreas: abdominal pain that lasts and gets worse when you lie down, nausea, vomiting | √ | ||
| Shortness of breath | √ | ||
| Skin reactions: rash | √ | ||
| Vision problems | √ | ||
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 report any suspected side effects associated with the use of health products to Health | ||
| Canada by: | ||
| ||
| canada/services/drugs-health-products/medeffect-canada/adverse-reaction-reporting.html) for | ||
| information on how to report online, by mail or by fax; or | ||
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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 15- 30ºC.
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 TEVA-ATENOLOL/CHLORTHALIDONE:
- 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 (http://www.hc-sc.gc.ca/); the manufacturer’s website http://www.tevacanada.com; or by calling 1-800-268-4127 ext. 3; or email druginfo@tevacanada.com.