Before you begin using a medication, be sure to inform your doctor of any medical conditions or Allergies you may have, any medications you are taking, whether you are pregnant or breast-feeding, and any other significant facts about your health. These factors may affect how you should use Riva Atenolol.
Breathing conditions: In general, people who have Asthma and certain other breathing problems or chronic lung disease should avoid taking a beta-blocker such as atenolol, as it can cause breathing difficulty. Low doses of atenolol may be taken with caution by people with asthma who do not respond to or cannot tolerate alternative treatment. If you have breathing problems, discuss with your doctor how Riva Atenolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Riva Atenolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Drowsiness/reduced alertness: The use of atenolol is unlikely to impair your ability to drive or operate machinery. However, it should be taken into account that dizziness, fatigue, or a slower reaction time may occur.
History of heart failure: Beta-blockers, such as atenolol, can worsen existing heart failure. It is important to take atenolol exactly as prescribed by your doctor to decrease the chance of this happening. If you have a history of heart disease, discuss with your doctor how Riva Atenolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Riva Atenolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Hyperthyroidism: If you have hyperthyroidism (high levels of Thyroid hormones) you should use caution while taking atenolol, as it may reduce the symptoms of this condition, giving a false impression of improvement. Stopping the medication suddenly could worsen this condition.
Kidney Disease: The kidneys are partially responsible for removing Riva Atenolol from your body. Kidney disease or reduced kidney function may cause Riva Atenolol to build up in the body, causing side effects. If you have reduced kidney function or kidney disease, discuss with your doctor how Riva Atenolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Riva Atenolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed.
Low blood sugar: The signs of low blood sugar may not be as noticeable when taking atenolol. If you have Diabetes and take insulin or other medications that affect insulin levels in the blood, discuss with your doctor how Riva Atenolol may affect your medical condition, how your medical condition may affect the dosing and effectiveness of Riva Atenolol, and whether any special monitoring is needed. Your doctor will monitor you while you are taking Riva Atenolol and may need to adjust the doses of diabetes medications.
Prinzmetal's angina: Atenolol may increase the number and duration of angina attacks in patients with Prinzmetal's angina. If you have this condition, be cautious while taking atenolol. Report unusual chest pain to your doctor as soon as possible.
Severe allergies: If you have allergies severe enough to cause Anaphylaxis (severe allergic reaction) (a severe allergic reaction where swelling of the face, lips, and throat make it difficult to breathe), you should talk to your doctor about what to do if you have an allergic reaction. Atenolol may make it more difficult to treat your allergic reaction with Epinephrine.
Slow heart rate: In general, people with an abnormally slow pulse should not take a beta-blocker such as atenolol.
Stopping usage: Atenolol should not be stopped suddenly. There have been reports of severe worsening of angina and of Heart Attack or abnormal heart rhythms occurring in people with angina pectoris who have done this. If Riva Atenolol needs to be stopped, it should be done gradually under supervision of your doctor.
Surgery: If you are scheduled for surgery, inform all doctors involved in your care that you are taking atenolol.
Pregnancy: Studies have shown that atenolol does cross the placenta and there have been reports of harm to the developing baby if atenolol is taken by the mother during pregnancy. Riva Atenolol should not be used during pregnancy unless the benefits outweigh the risks. If you become pregnant while taking Riva Atenolol, contact your doctor immediately.
Breast-feeding: Riva Atenolol passes into breast milk. If you are a breast-feeding mother and are taking atenolol, it may affect your baby. Talk to your doctor about whether you should continue breast-feeding.
Children: The safety and effectiveness of using Riva Atenolol have not been established for children.
