Tenoretic is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It contains two different medicines: atenolol and chlortalidone. These medicines work together to lower your blood pressure.

•               Atenolol belongs to a group of medicines called beta-blockers. It works by making your heart beat more slowly and with less force.

•               Chlortalidone belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics. It works by increasing the amount of urine produced by your kidneys.

 What you need to know before you take Tenoretic

Do not take Tenoretic:

•               If you are allergic to Tenoretic, Tenoret, Tenormin, atenolol, chlortalidone or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (listed in section 6).

•               If you have ever had any of the following heart problems:

•               heart failure which is not under control (this usually makes you breathless and causes your ankles to swell)

•               second- or third-degree heart block (a condition which may be treated by a pacemaker)

•               very slow or very uneven heart beats, very low blood pressure or very poor circulation.

•               If you have problems with your kidneys.

•               If you have a tumour called phaeochromocytoma that is not being treated. This is usually near your kidney and can cause high blood pressure.

•               If you have been told that you have higher than normal levels of acid in your blood (metabolic acidosis).

•               If you are pregnant, are trying to become pregnant or are breast-feeding.

Do not take Tenoretic if any of the above apply to you. If you are not sure, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tenoretic.

Warning and precautions

Talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tenoretic:

•               If you have asthma, wheezing or any other similar breathing problems, or you get allergic reactions, for example to insect stings. If you have ever had asthma or wheezing, do not take this medicine without first checking with your doctor.

•               If you have a type of chest pain (angina) called Prinzmetal's angina.

•               If you have poor blood circulation or controlled heart failure.

•               If you have first-degree heart block.

•               If you have diabetes. Your medicine may change how you respond to having low blood sugar. You may feel your heart beating faster.

•               If you have thyrotoxicosis (a condition caused by an overactive thyroid gland). Your medicine may hide the symptoms of thyrotoxicosis.

•               If you have problems with your adrenal glands.

•               If you have liver problems.

•               If you experience a decrease in vision or eye pain.

These could be symptoms of fluid accumulation in the vascular layer of the eye (choroidal effusion) or an increase of pressure in your eye and can happen within hours to a week of taking Tenoretic. This can lead to permanent vision loss, if not treated. If you earlier have had a penicillin or sulfonamide allergy, you can be at higher risk of developing this.

If you are not sure if any of the above apply to you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist before taking Tenoretic.

Children

This medicine is not for use in children.

Other medicines and Tenoretic

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines. This includes medicines that you buy without a prescription and herbal medicines. This is because Tenoretic can affect the way some other medicines work and some medicines can have an effect on Tenoretic.

In particular, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

•               Clonidine (for high blood pressure or migraine). If you are taking clonidine and Tenoretic together, do 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 about how to do it.

•               Verapamil, diltiazem and nifedipine (for high blood pressure or chest pain).

•               Disopyramide or amiodarone (for an uneven heart beat).

•               Digoxin (for heart problems).

•               Adrenaline, also known as epinephrine (a medicine that stimulates the heart).

•               Baclofen (a medicine used for muscle relaxation).

•               Ibuprofen or indomethacin (for pain and inflammation).

•               Insulin or medicines that you take by mouth for diabetes.

•               Lithium (for certain mental illnesses).

•               Medicines to treat nose or sinus congestion or other cold remedies (including those you can buy in the pharmacy).

 

•               Betaxolol, carteolol, levobunolol and timolol (eye drops for glaucoma).