Composition
Each tablet contains: 50 mg or 100 mg Atenolol

Properties
Atenolol is one of the group beta-blockers. It has effects on the heart and circulation.

Indications
Tenormin is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure), angina (chest pain) and some arrhythmia (disorders of heart rhythm). Tenormin can also be used in the early treatment of myocardial infarction (heart attack).

Contraindications
Tenormin is contraindicated to you if you have ever had an allergic reaction to Tenormin or to Atenolol or to any of the other ingredients listed above. You have heart failure which is not under control, heart block, very slow or very irregular heart beats, very low blood pressure, very poor circulation, phaeochromocytoma (high blood pressure caused by a tumour, usually near the kidney) which is not being treated, or metabolic acidosis (abnormal levels of acid in your blood).

Precautions
Please tell your doctor before you start to take your tablets if any of the following apply to you, because Tenormin should be used with care in these cases: - You have asthma or wheezing, you should not take these tablets unless you have discussed these symptoms with the doctor who first gave you the tablets. - You have a type of chest pain called Prinzmetal’s angina. - You have diabetes. Tenormin may change your normal response to low blood sugar, which usually involves an increase in heart rate. - You have thyrotoxicosis (a condition caused by an overactive thyroid gland). Tenormin may hide the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis. - You have kidney problems. You may need to have some check ups during your treatment. - You are pregnant or breast feeding. Your tablets are unlikely to affect your ability to drive or use machinery. But some people may occasionally feel dizzy or tired when taking Tenormin. If this happens to you, ask your doctor for advice.

Drug Interactions
Tenormin can affect the way some other medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Tenormin. The medicines which can cause some problems when taken with Tenormin are: Verapamil,diltiazem and nifedipine (which are used to treat hypertension or angina), disopyramide (for irregular heart beats), digoxin (for heart failure), adrenaline (a heart stimulant), ibuprofen and indomethacin (for pain and inflammation), insulin and oral antidiabetic drugs (for diabetes). If you are taking a drug called clonidine (for hypertension or migraine) and Tenormin together, you must not stop taking clonidine unless your doctor tells you to do so. If you have to stop taking clonidine, your doctor will give you careful instructions on how to do it. If you go into a hospital to have an operation , tell the anaesthetic and the medical staff that you are taking Tenormin.

Administration and Dosage
Swallow Tenormin tablets with a drink. Your doctor will tell you how many tablets to take each day and when to take them, depending on your condition. Also, read the label on the container. Your pharmacist can help you if you are not sure.

Usual dosage for adults:
To treat hypertension (high blood pressure) 50 mg to 100 mg a day. To treat angina (chest pain) 100 mg a day or 50 mg twice a day. To treat arrhythmia (irregular heart beat) 50 mg to 100 mg a day. If you forgot to take your tablets at the right time, take them when you remember and then take your next dose at the usual time. Don’t take two doses at the same time. If you are worry, ask your doctor or pharmacist for advice. Do not stop taking your tablets without talking to your doctor first. In some cases, you may have to stop taking them gradually.

Side Effects
As with all medicines, there may be some possible side effects while you are taking Tenormin. Occasionally, a few people may suffer from the following: Cold hands and feet, tiredness, slow heartbeat, headache, a dry mouth, nausea, diarrhea, disturbed sleep, thinning of the hair, mood changes, confusion, psychoses or hallucinations, bruising more easily or purplish marks on the skin, tingling hands, dry eyes, vision disturbances, skin rashes, dizziness (particularly when you stand up) or, very rarely, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or the whites of your eyes). Some people may also suffer from numbness and spasm in the fingers (Raynauld’s phenomenon) and heart block (which can cause dizziness or fainting). If you suffer from any of the following conditions, they may get worse when you start to take Tenormin: Psoriasis – heart failure – asthma or breathing problems – poor circulation. Don’t be alarmed by this list of possible side effects. You may not have any of them. If you think your tablets are causing any other problems, tell your doctor or pharmacist.

Warning
Don’t use your tablets after the expiry date of the container. Keep your tablets in a safe place where children cannot see or reach them, your tablets could harm them. If your doctor tells you to stop taking the tablets, take any tablets you no longer need back to your pharmacist. Only keep them if your doctor tells you to. Do not store above 25°.

Overdosage
If you accidentally take too many tablets, either call your doctor straight away, or go to your nearest hospital casualty department. Always take along with you any left over tablets, as well as the container and the label so that the medical staff knows exactly what you have taken.

Further information
These tablets are for you. Only a doctor can prescribe them for you. Never give them to some one else. They may harm them even if their symptoms are the same as yours.

Packing
Tenormin 50 20 tablets – 28 tablets
Tenormin 100 20 tablets