WARNINGS
Cardiac Failure
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, TENORETIC (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despite adequate treatment, TENORETIC should be withdrawn. (See DOSAGE
AND ADMINISTRATION.)
Renal and Hepatic Disease and ElectrolyteDisturbances
Since atenolol is excreted via the kidneys, TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) should be used with caution
in patients with impaired renal function.
In patients with renal disease, thiazides may precipitate azotemia. Since cumulative
effects may develop in the presence of impaired renal function, if progressive
renal impairment becomes evident, TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) should be discontinued.
In patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, minor
alterations in fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma. TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone)
should be used with caution in these patients.
Ischemic Heart Disease
Following abrupt cessation of therapy with certain beta-blocking agents in
patients with coronary artery disease, exacerbations of angina pectoris and,
in some cases, myocardial infarction have been reported. Therefore, such patients
should be cautioned against interruption of therapy without the physician's
advice. Even in the absence of overt angina pectoris, when discontinuation of
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) is planned, the patient should be carefully observed and should be
advised to limit physical activity to a minimum.
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) should be reinstated if withdrawal symptoms occur. Because coronary
artery disease is common and may be unrecognized, it may be prudent not to discontinue
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) therapy abruptly even in patients treated only for hypertension.
Concomitant Use of Calcium Channel Blockers
Bradycardia and heart block can occur and the left ventricular end diastolic
pressure can rise when beta-blockers are administered with verapamil or diltiazem.
Patients with preexisting conduction abnormalities or left ventricular dysfunction
are particularly susceptible. (See PRECAUTIONS.)
Bronchospastic Diseases
PATIENTS WITH BRONCHOSPASTIC DISEASE SHOULD, IN GENERAL, NOT RECEIVE BETABLOCKERS.
Because of its relative beta1-selectivity, however, TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) may
be used with caution in patients with bronchospastic disease who do not respond
to or cannot tolerate, other antihypertensive treatment. Since beta1-selectivity
is not absolute, the lowest possibledose of TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) should be used and a beta2-stimulating
agent (bronchodilator) should be made available. If dosage must be increased,
dividing the dose should be considered in order to achieve lower peak blood
levels.
Anesthesia and Major Surgery
It is not advisable to withdraw beta-adrenoreceptor blockingdrugs prior to
surgery in the majority of patients. However,care should be taken when using
anesthetic agents such as those which may depress the myocardium. Vagal dominance,
if it occurs, may be corrected with atropine (1-2 mg IV). Beta blockers are
competitive inhibitors of beta-receptor agonists and their effects on the heart
can be reversed by administration of such agents; eg, dobutamine or isoproterenol
with caution (see section on OVERDOSAGE).
Metabolic and Endocrine Effects
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) may be used with caution in diabetic patients. Beta blockers may
mask tachycardia occurring with hypoglycemia, but other manifestations such
as dizziness and sweating may not be significantly affected. At recommended
doses atenolol does not potentiate insulin-induced hypoglycemia and, unlike
nonselective beta blockers, does not delay recovery of blood glucose to normal
levels.
Insulin requirements in diabetic patients may be increased, decreased or unchanged;
latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest during chlorthalidone administration.
Beta-adrenergic blockade may mask certain clinical signs (eg, tachycardia)
of hyperthyroidism. Abrupt withdrawal of beta blockade might precipitate a thyroid
storm; therefore, patients suspected of developing thyrotoxicosis from whom
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) therapy is to be withdrawn should be monitored closely.
Because calcium excretion is decreased by thiazides, TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) should be discontinued
before carrying out tests for parathyroid function. Pathologic changes in the
parathyroid glands, with hypercalcemia and hypophosphatemia, have been observed
in a few patients on prolonged thiazide therapy; however, the common complications
of hyperparathyroidism such as renal lithiasis, bone resorption, and peptic
ulceration have not been seen. Hyperuricemia may occur, or acute gout may be
precipitated in certain patients receiving thiazide therapy.
Untreated Pheochromocytoma
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) should not be given to patients with untreated pheochromocytoma.
Pregnancy and Fetal Injury
Atenolol can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman. Atenolol
crosses the placental barrier and appears in cord blood. Administration of atenolol,
starting in the second trimester of pregnancy, has been associated with the
birth of infants that are small for gestational age. No studies have been performed
on the use of atenolol in the first trimester and the possibility of fetal injury
cannot be excluded. If this drug is used during pregnancy, or if the patient
becomes pregnant while taking this drug, the patient should be apprised of the
potential hazard to the fetus.
Neonates born to mothers who are receiving atenolol at parturition or breast-feeding
may be at risk for hypoglycemia and bradycardia. Caution should be exercised
when TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) is administered during pregnancy or to a woman who is breast-feeding.
(See PRECAUTIONS, Nursing Mothers.)
TENORETIC (atenolol and chlorthalidone) was studied for teratogenic potential in the rat and rabbit. Doses
of atenolol/chlorthalidone of 8/2, 80/20, and 240/60 mg/kg/day were administered
orally to pregnant rats with no evidence of embryofetotoxicity observed. Two
studies were conducted in rabbits. In the first study, pregnant rabbits were
dosed with 8/2, 80/20, and 160/40 mg/kg/day of atenolol/chlorthalidone. No teratogenic
effects were noted, but embryonic resorptions were observed at all dose levels
(ranging from approximately 5 times to 100 times the maximum recommended human
dose*). In the second rabbit study, doses of atenolol/chlorthalidone were 4/1,
8/2, and 20/5 mg/kg/day. No teratogenic or embryotoxic effects were demonstrated.
Atenolol
Atenolol has been shown to produce a dose-related increase in embryo/fetal resorptions
in rats at doses equal to or greater than 50 mg/kg/day or 25 or more times the
maximum recommended human antihypertensive dose.* Although similar effects were
not seen in rabbits, the compound was not evaluated in rabbits at doses above
25 mg/kg/day or 12.5 times the maximum recommended human antihypertensive
dose.*
Chlorthalidone
Thiazides cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood. The use of
chlorthalidone and related drugs in pregnant women requires that the anticipated
benefits of the drug be weighed against possible hazards to the fetus. These
hazards include fetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia and possibly other
adverse reactions which have occurred in the adult.
*Based on the maximum dose of 100 mg/day in a 50 kg patient.