Control of patients receiving Atenolol, should include monitoring of heart rate and blood pressure (at the beginning of treatment - daily, then 1 time in 3-4 months), blood glucose in diabetic patients (1 time in 4-5 months). In elderly patients it is recommended to monitor the kidney function (1 time in 4-5 months).
You should teach the patient how to calculate heart rate and instruct you about the need for medical consultation at a heart rate of less than 50 beats per minute.
With thyrotoxicosis atenolol can mask certain clinical signs of thyrotoxicosis (eg, tachycardia). Abrupt withdrawal in patients with thyrotoxicosis is contraindicated, since it can strengthen symptoms. In diabetes mellitus can mask tachycardia caused by hypoglycemia. In contrast to nonselective beta-blockers, it does not substantially increase insulin-induced hypoglycemia and does not delay the recovery of glucose in the blood to normal concentrations.
In patients with coronary heart disease (CHD), abrupt cancellation of beta-blockers can cause an increase in the frequency or severity of anginal attacks, so the cessation of atenolol in patients with IHD should be gradual.
In comparison with non-selective beta-blockers, cardioselective beta-blockers have less effect on lung function, however, in obstructive airway diseases atenolol appoint only in the case of absolute indications. If necessary, in some cases, the use of beta2-adrenomimetics can be recommended.
Patients with bronchospastic diseases can be prescribed cardioselective adrenoblockers in case of intolerance and / or ineffectiveness of other antihypertensive drugs, but strict monitoring of dosage should be carried out. Overdosing is dangerous by the development of bronchospasm.
Particular attention is needed in cases where surgical intervention under anesthesia is required in patients taking atenolol. The drug should be discontinued 48 hours before the intervention. As an anesthetic, the drug should be chosen with the possible minimum negative inotropic effect.
With the simultaneous use of atenolol and clonidine, the use of atenolol is stopped a few days before clonidine in order to avoid the symptom of withdrawal of the latter.
It is possible to increase the severity of the reaction of hypersensitivity and the lack of effect from the usual doses of epinephrine against the background of a burdened allergological anamnesis.
Drugs that reduce catecholamine stores (for example, reserpine), can enhance the action of beta-blockers, so patients who take such combinations of drugs should be under constant observation of the doctor for the detection of a marked decrease in blood pressure or bradycardia.
In the case of an increasing bradycardia (less than 50 beats per minute), arterial hypotension (systolic blood pressure below 100 mmHg), atrioventricular blockade, bronchospasm, ventricular arrhythmias, severe violations of the liver and kidney function in elderly patients, it is necessary to reduce the dose or stop treatment.
It is recommended to stop therapy with the development of depression caused by the use of beta-blockers.
If intravenous verapamil is needed, this should be done at least 48 hours after taking atenolol.
When using atenolol, tear production can be reduced, which is important in patients using contact lenses.
Do not abruptly interrupt treatment because of the risk of developing severe arrhythmias and myocardial infarction. Abolition is carried out gradually, reducing the dose for 2 weeks. and more (reduce the dose by 25% in 3-4 days).
It should be abolished before the study of blood and urine levels of catecholamines, normetanephrine and vanillylmandelic acid; titers of antinuclear antibodies.
In smokers, the effectiveness of beta-blockers is lower.