Generic Tenormin

Tenormin is a beta blocker that can be generically prescribed as atenolol. It affects the body by creating a better environment for circulation which provides less strain on the heart. Most often, this medication is prescribed when treating angina or hypertension. In different doses, it can also be prescribed to treat a heart attack during the episode as well as used as a preventative treatment for a second heart attack.

Patients who take Tenormin should not suddenly stop its use without first consulting the prescribing physician. The sudden disuse may cause a heart attack. This medication can also cause impaired reaction time, and patients need to allow themselves a wide window of adjustment when starting this medicine before operating a vehicle or using dangerous machinery. Patients taking Tenormin should avoid alcoholic beverages.

Tenormin is not appropriate for all patients, and a complete medical history should be assessed prior to using this medication. Patients whose medical histories include diabetes, breathing disorders such as asthma, emphysema, or chronic bronchitis, depression, low blood pressure, heart diseases such as sick sinus syndrome, congestive heart failure, or unusual heart rhythms, thyroid disorders, liver disease, kidney disease, myasthenia gravis, circulation issues, or pheochromocytoma may not be able to tolerate this medication without careful and constant monitoring.

The American Food and Drug Administration labeled this medication a category D pregnancy risk. Women who are pregnant or who are likely to become pregnant should not take Tenormin as it carries a high risk of causing prenatal harm. Women who are nursing are likely to pass this medication through their breast milk and Tenormin may cause harm to a nursing baby.

Tenormin produces the best results when used in conjunction with behavior modification such as dietary changes and increased exercise. This medication may not be able to perform the necessary tasks alone.

Patients should always remember to take their medication as prescribed. When a dose is missed, it should be taken as soon as possible. If it is almost time for the next regular dose, the missed dose may be skipped in order to prevent accidental overdosing. Never permit patients to take additional doses or doses too close together.

An overdose requires immediate medical care and may trigger symptoms such as irregular breathing, irregular heart rhythm, blue fingernails or extremities, fainting, dizziness, weakness, convulsions, coma, or death.

Patients may experience side effects when taking Tenormin. Most side effects are generally mild but should be reported to the prescribing physician for dosage adjustment when needed. Mild side effects may include insomnia or related sleep disturbances, fatigue, anxiety, nervous behaviors, and sexual dysfunction.

More serious side effects occur in a small percentage of patients and require immediate medical attention. Serious side effects may include allergic reactions (swelling of the face, mouth, throat, or tongue, hives, and difficulty breathing,) slow heart rhythm, uneven heart rate, respiratory distress, depression, cold extremities, light headedness, fainting, swelling of the ankles and feet, or nausea with low fever, appetite loss, jaundice, dark urine, and clay colored stools.

A thorough medical history should always be assessed before prescribing this medication. Patients should be advised to inquire with the prescribing physicians before starting any new medications including prescription medicines, over the counter medicines, herbal remedies, and vitamin supplements. Medicines with known negative interactions with Tenormin include allergy shots, allergy testing, or allergy treatments, MAO inhibitors, asthma medications or medications which treat breathing disorders, diabetes medications including pills and injections, cold medicines, any type of stimulant, diet pills, clonidine, heart medications, and guanabenz.