Patient Teaching:
• Instruct patient to take atenolol as directed at the same time each day, even if feeling well; do not skip or double up on missed doses. Take missed doses as soon as possible up to 8 hr before next dose. Abrupt withdrawal may cause life-threatening arrhythmias, hypertension, or myocardial ischemia.
• Advise patient to make sure enough medication is available for weekends, holidays, and vacations. A written prescription may be kept in wallet in case of emergency.
• Teach patient and family how to check pulse and BP. Instruct them to check pulse daily and BP biweekly and to report significant changes.
• May cause drowsiness or dizziness. Caution patients to avoid driving or other activities that require alertness until response to the drug is known.
• Advise patients to change positions slowly to minimize orthostatic hypotension.
• Caution patient that atenolol may increase sensitivity to cold.
• Instruct patient to notify health care professional of all Rx or OTC medications, vitamins, or herbal products being taken, to avoid alcohol, and to consult health care professional before taking any new medications, especially cold preparations.
• Patients with diabetes should closely monitor blood glucose, especially if weakness, malaise, irritability, or fatigue occurs. Medication does not block sweating as a sign of hypoglycemia.
• Advise patient to notify health care professional if slow pulse, difficulty breathing, wheezing, cold hands and feet, dizziness, light-headedness, confusion, depression, rash, fever, sore throat, unusual bleeding, or bruising occurs.
• Instruct patient to inform health care professional of medication regimen before treatment or surgery.
• Advise female patient to notify health care professional if pregnancy is planned or suspected, or if breast feeding.
• Advise patient to carry identification describing disease process and medication regimen at all times.
• Hypertension: Reinforce the need to continue additional therapies for hypertension (weight loss, sodium restriction, stress reduction, regular exercise, moderation of alcohol consumption, and smoking cessation). Medication controls but does not cure hypertension.