Patient Information Leaflet for ATENOLOL TABLETS

KEEP ALL MEDICATION OUT OF THE REACH AND SIGHT OF CHILDREN

BEFORE YOU TAKE YOUR MEDICINE PLEASE READ THIS LEAFLET CAREFULLY. This leaflet contains a summary of the information about your medicine, Atenolol Tablets.

YOUR MEDICINE

Your medicine is in the form of a tablet. There are three different strengths of Atenolol Tablets available. Each tablet contains either 25 mg, 50 mg or 100 mg of the active ingredient Atenolol. Each tablet also contains calcium hydrogen phosphate, heavy magnesium carbonate, sodium starch glycollate, maize starch, colloidal anhydrous silica, magnesium stearate, carnauba wax, polyethylene glycol, titanium dioxide and hydroxypropylmethyl-cellulose. Atenolol Tablets 50 mg and 100 mg also contain sunset yellow (El 10) and

quinoline yellow (E104). The 25 mg tablet is white and marked 'AT25¹, the 50 mg tablet is orange and marked 'AT50' and the 100 mg tablet is also orange and marked 'ATI 00'. Atenolol Tablets 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg are available in blister packs of 28 tablets. Your pharmacist will dispense the number of tablets prescribed by your doctor.

HOW DOES YOUR MEDICINE WORK ?

ATENOLOL belongs to a group of medicines called BETA-BLOCKERS. Atenolol helps to block the effects of naturally occurring substances within your body (Catecholamines). In some patients catecholamines may cause nigh blood pressure, worsen angina or increase the speed of the heart. By blocking these effects, Atenolol can reduce blood pressure, reduce angina pain and slow the heart.

Product Licence Holder and Manufacturer: Generics [UK] Limited, Station Close, Potters Bar, Herts, EN6 1TL.

WHY DO YOU NEED TO TAKE YOUR MEDICINE ?

There are a number of conditions that can be treated by Atenolol Tablets. These conditions include:

•    High blood pressure (hypertension).

•    Angina (pain in the chest, arms, shoulders or neck caused by effort, stress or cold weather).

•    Irregular or abnormal rhythms of the heart.

To protect the function of the heart following a heart attack.

WHAT SHOULD YOU DO BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE ?

You must tell your doctor before taking your medicine if:

•    you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant as Atenolol can affect the growth of the baby in the womb, can cause the baby to be born early or possibly be fatal to the baby. However your doctor may still prescribe Atenolol Tablets for you after taking everything into consideration.

•    you are breastfeeding, as beta-blockers can affect the baby's heart rate and lower blood sugar levels

•    you have or have had a condition called psoriasis

•    you have taken Atenolol before and suffered an unpleasant or allergic reaction including asthma, skin rash or an itchy, runny nose

•    you are suffering from heart failure

•    you have been told by your doctor that you suffer from heart block or sick sinus syndrome

•    you suffer from a slow beating heart or low blood pressure

•    you suffer from attacks of headache, sweating, palpitations, flushing of the face or pains in the chest and stomach, caused by a rare tumour called a Phaeochromocytoma. If you suffer from the disease Phaeochromocytoma then your doctor will prescribe another medicine called an alpha blocker with your Atenolol Tablets.

•    you are not eating properly

•    you have Peripheral Vascular Disease causing cramp on walking or painful, cold hands and feet

•    you have a history of asthma or lung disease

•    you are diabetic, as Atenolol can hide the effects of low blood sugar (hypoglycaemia)

•    you are suffering from a serious condition called metabolic acidosis causing dehydration, rapid breathing and drowsiness

•    you are allergic to anything as Atenolol Tablets can possibly increase the frequency and seriousness of allergic reaction

• you are already taking any of the following medicines:

*    other antihypertensives ie. medicines which are used to treat high blood pressure such as Nifedipine or other beta-blockers

*    medicine given by injection and containing Adrenaline

*    medicine to treat a heart condition eg. other beta-blockers, Verapamil, Diltiazem, Disopyramide, Digoxin

*    Clonidine, to treat high blood pressure or prevent migraine headaches

*    Antidiabetic drugs

*    Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs eg. Indomethacin and Ibuprofen

*    Cimetidine (to treat and prevent heartburn or stomach ulcers)

*    Hydralazine (to treat high blood pressure).

Do not take these tablets if you think you are allergic to any of the ingredients especially colorant E110 (only found in 50 mg and 100 mg strength tablets).

WHILST TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

Do not drive or operate machinery if you feel dizzy, light-headed or drowsy whilst taking Atenolol Tablets. Do not stop taking Atenolol Tablets without telling your doctor. Suddenly stopping your tablets can cause a worsening of angina or increase blood pressure. Warning: Alcohol can reduce the effects of Atenolol Tablets.

If you need to have an operation and will require an anaesthetic, tell your doctor you are taking Atenolol Tablets.

HOW SHOULD YOU TAKE YOUR TABLETS ?

The dose of Atenolol Tablets will depend upon the condition being treated.

Hypertension

The usual starting dose is 50 mg of Atenolol a day, either alone or in combination with a diuretic ('water'tablet). Your doctor may wish to increase your dose to 100 mg of Atenolol after 1 or 2 weeks depending on your blood pressure.

Angina

The usual dose is 100 mg of Atenolol once a day or 50 mg of Atenolol twice daily.

Irregular heart rhythms

Once the irregular heart rhythms have been controlled, the usual dose is 50 mg to 100 mg of Atenolol daily.

To protect the heart following a heart attack

The usual dose is 100 mg of Atenolol daily. The dose will depend upon your blood pressure and pulse rate. Other medication will also be given.

Patients on dialysis should be given 50 mg of Atenolol after each dialysis.

If you are elderly or suffer from kidney problems your doctor may start you on a lower dose than the doses given above.

Atenolol Tablets are not recommended for children.

If you forget to take your dose of Atenolol Tablets, unless it is almost time for your next dose, take it as soon as you remember. Otherwise, if you miss a dose do not double the next dose, just carry on as before.

If you take too much of your medicine contact your doctor immediately.

CAN YOUR MEDICINE HAVE ANY SIDE EFFECTS ?

The side effects of Atenolol include feeling or being sick, diarrhoea, dry mouth, dizziness on standing, tiredness, nightmares or aching muscles. Sometimes headache, mood changes, hallucinations, slow heart beat and worsening of heart failure may occur. Other side effects include sleep disturbances, severe skin reactions, numbness of the limbs, dry eyes or changes in eye sight, unusual bruising or bleeding of the skin and hair loss. Also rarely, muscle cramps on walking and cold, painfufhands and feet. Some patients with asthma or a history of allergic disease, may experience a tightness of the chest, chest pain and difficulty breathing. Atenolol can hide the effects of an overactive thyroid. If you feel more thirsty than usual, feel unusually tired or pass more urine than usual, tell your doctor as Atenolol may affect the amount of glucose in your body, which may lead to diabetes. Atenolol Tablets can also cause changes to antibodies which are present in the blood. If you should suffer from any of these unwanted side effects or any undesired effect please tell your pharmacist or doctor.

DO NOT TAKE THIS MEDICINE AFTER THE EXPIRY DATE SHOWN ON THE CARTON. REMEMBER this medicine was prescribed by your doctor for you. DO NOT give it to others. It may harm them. Protect from light. Store in a dry place below 25°C.

Date of revision: November 2006

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