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Basic Drug Info

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Drug Name:	Atenolol and Chlorthalidone
Manufacturer:	Watson Laboratories, Inc.
Other Info:	In addition, a variety of adverse effects not observed in clinical trials with atenolol but reported with other beta-adrenergic blocking agents should be considered potential adverse effects of atenolol.Nervous System: Reversible mental depression progressing to catatonia; an acute reversible syndrome characterized by disorientation for time and place, short-term memory loss, emotional lability, slightly clouded sensorium, and decreased performance on neuropsychometrics.Cardiovascular: Intensification of AV block (seeCONTRAINDICATIONS).Gastrointestinal: Mesenteric arterial thrombosis, ischemic colitis.Hematologic: Agranulocytosis.Allergic: Erythematous rash, fever combined with aching and sore throat, laryngospasm and respiratory distress.

Clinical Trials:	NIH - Clinical Trials

Indications and Usage

Atenolol and chlorthalidone tablets are indicated in the treatment of hypertension.

This fixed dose combination drug is not indicated for initial therapy of hypertension.

If the fixed dose combination represents the dose appropriate to the individual patient’s needs, it may be more convenient than the separate components.

Hypertensive disease -- Persistently high systemic arterial BLOOD PRESSURE. Based on multiple readings (BLOOD PRESSURE DETERMINATION), hypertension is currently defined as when SYSTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently greater than 140 mm Hg or when DIASTOLIC PRESSURE is consistently 90 mm Hg or more.

Contraindications

Atenolol and chlorthalidone tablets are contraindicated in patients with: sinus bradycardia; heart block greater than first degree; cardiogenic shock; overt cardiac failure (seeWARNINGS); anuria; hypersensitivity to this product or to sulfonamide-derived drugs.

Heart Block -- Impaired conduction of cardiac impulse that can occur anywhere along the conduction pathway, such as between the SINOATRIAL NODE and the right atrium (SA block) or between atria and ventricles (AV block). Heart blocks can be classified by the duration, frequency, or completeness of conduction block. Reversibility depends on the degree of structural or functional defects.

Hypersensitivity -- Altered reactivity to an antigen, which can result in pathologic reactions upon subsequent exposure to that particular antigen.

Warnings

Sympathetic stimulation is necessary in supporting circulatory function in congestive heart failure, and beta blockade carries the potential hazard of further depressing myocardial contractility and precipitating more severe failure.

In patients who have congestive heart failure controlled by digitalis and/or diuretics, atenolol and chlorthalidone should be administered cautiously.

Both digitalis and atenolol slow AV conduction.IN PATIENTS WITHOUT A HISTORY OF CARDIAC FAILURE, continued depression of the myocardium with beta-blocking agents over a period of time can, in some cases, lead to cardiac failure.

At the first sign or symptom of impending cardiac failure, patients should be treated appropriately according to currently recommended guidelines, and the response observed closely.

If cardiac failure continues despite adequate treatment, atenolol and chlorthalidone should be withdrawn.

(SeeDOSAGE AND ADMINISTRATION.)