You should not use this atenolol if you have a serious heart condition such as "AV block," very slow heartbeats, or heart failure.
Do not stop taking atenolol without first talking to your doctor. Stopping suddenly may make your condition worse.
If you are having any type of surgery, be sure the surgeon knows ahead of time that you are using this medicine.
Atenolol can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. Avoid drinking alcohol, which could increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking atenolol.
Atenolol is only part of a complete program of treatment for hypertension that may also include diet, exercise, and weight control. Follow your diet, medication, and exercise routines very closely if you are being treated for hypertension.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medication for the rest of your life.
Before taking this medicine
You should not use atenolol if you are allergic to it, or if you have:
a serious heart condition such as "AV block" (second or third degree);
very slow heartbeats; or
decompensated heart failure.
To make sure atenolol is safe for you, tell your doctor if you have:
congestive heart failure;
coronary artery disease;
asthma, bronchitis, emphysema;
diabetes;
overactive thyroid;
liver or kidney disease;
pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome; or
allergies (or if you are undergoing allergy treatments or skin-testing).
Using atenolol during pregnancy could harm the unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you become pregnant while using this medicine.
Atenolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Atenolol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
