Tenoretic (Atenolol/chlorthalidone)

Do’s

• Tenoretic should be taken as directed by your healthcare provider. Typically, it is taken by mouth with or without food, usually once daily.
• If taken too close to bedtime, it may cause the need to wake up to urinate. It is best to take this medication at least 4 hours before bedtime. Consult your healthcare provider if you have questions about your dosing schedule.
• The dosage of Tenoretic is based on your medical condition and response to treatment. Take this medication regularly to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day.
• If you also take certain drugs to lower your cholesterol (bile acid-binding resins such as cholestyramine or colestipol), take Tenoretic at least 2 hours before or at least 4 hours after these medications.
• It may take several weeks before you get the full benefit of this medication. Keep taking Tenoretic even if you feel well, as most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick.
• Inform your healthcare provider if your condition does not get better or if it gets worse (your blood pressure readings remain high or increase)

Don’ts

• Apple juice and orange juice may prevent your body from fully absorbing atenolol. Therefore, avoid drinking apple or orange juice within 4 hours of taking this medication, unless your healthcare provider tells you otherwise.

Common Side Effects:

• Dizziness
• Fatigue
• Cold extremity
• Bradycardia
• Lower leg pain

Other Potential Side Effects

• Difficulty or labored breathing
• Shortness of breath

Tenoretic is usually well tolerated in properly selected patients, and most adverse effects have been mild and transient. However, if you experience any of the serious side effects mentioned above, seek medical attention promptly.

Tenoretic is contraindicated in patients with:

• Sinus bradycardia
• Heart block greater than first-degree
• Cardiogenic shock
• Overt cardiac failure
• Anuria
• Hypersensitivity to this product or sulfonamide-derived drugs 

Atenolol and chlorthalidone have been used singly and concomitantly for the treatment of hypertension. The antihypertensive effects of these agents are additive, and studies have shown that there is no interference with bioavailability when these agents are given together in a single combination tablet. Therefore, this combination provides a convenient formulation for the concomitant administration of these two entities. In patients with more severe hypertension, Tenoretic may be administered with other antihypertensives such as vasodilators.

Tell your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or you become pregnant. Taking Tenoretic during the second or third trimester of pregnancy may cause low birth weight, slow heartbeats, or low blood sugar in the newborn.

Because coronary artery disease is common and may be unrecognized, it may be prudent not to discontinue Temoretic therapy abruptly even in patients treated only for hypertension. Patients with pre-existing conduction abnormalities or left ventricular dysfunction are particularly susceptible.

Patients with bronchospastic disease should, in general, not receive beta blockers. Because of its relative beta1-selectivity, however, Tenoretic may be used with caution in patients with bronchospastic disease who do not respond to or cannot tolerate other antihypertensive treatments.

Consult a healthcare provider for personalized advice and treatment options related to the use of Tenoretic.