Atenolol - Patient Treatment Information

Instructions

Atenolol, a type of beta-blocker medication, works by blocking the stimulating effect of epinephrine (adrenaline). It’s often used to treat angina (chest pain), migrane headaches, hypertension (high blood pressure), heart rhythm disorders, and other heart or circulatory conditions. It’s also used to treat or prevent heart attack.

Though beta-blockers are an FDA-approved medication, prescriptions for situational anxiety are considered off-label. Beta-blockers are considered a standard treatment option for performance and social anxiety and are commonly prescribed by doctors for this purpose.

How To Take:

Your prescription is to be used on an as-needed basis. Our doctors do not recommend daily use unless specifically directed.

Take 25 - 50 mg (1-2 tablets) of atenolol one hour prior to your event (presentation, interview, meeting, audition, etc.).

Follow Up Plan

When you’re ready for a refill, please log back in to your Kick account. There, you’ll need to complete a brief return visit to let us know how you’re doing and to help us monitor for any side effects.

Active Ingredients

This medicine contains one of the following active ingredients. If you are allergic to any of these components, similar components, or any of the other components listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet do not take it and call or message us immediately.

  • Atenolol

Allergies

This medicine may cause an allergic reaction if you are allergic to similar medicines or components.

If you develop any symptoms of an allergic reaction such as rash, hives, wheezing, trouble breathing, or swelling of the mouth, face, lips or throat, please stop the medicine and call or message us or go see your doctor in-person.

Conditions

We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us; however, if anything changes and you develop or discover that one of the following conditions applies to you, please stop the medicine and call or message us immediately.

  • Diabetes
  • Bradycardia (lower than normal heart rate)
  • Heart failure
  • Heart block
  • Severe chest pain
  • Hyperactive thyroid
  • Glaucoma
  • Chronic bronchitis or emphysema
  • Breastfeeding
  • Pregnant
  • Wolff-Parkinson-White syndrome or other heart arrhythmias

Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

If you become pregnant or are trying to become pregnant, you should stop taking this medicine immediately.

Side Effects

Emergency Side Effects

This medicine can cause dangerous and potentially life-threatening side effects. If you experience any of the emergency side effects listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet, call 911 or seek immediate medical help in-person.

Emergency side effects may include:

  • Allergic reactions. Symptoms can include skin rash, itching, hives, and/or swelling of your face, lips, or tongue.
  • Breathing problems
  • Changes in blood sugar
  • Cold hands or feet
  • Nightmares or trouble sleeping
  • Dry, peeling skin
  • Hallucinations
  • Muscle cramps or weakness
  • Slow heart rate
  • Swelling of your legs or ankles
  • Sudden weight gain
  • Vomiting
  • Dizziness, light-headedness, or loss of consciousness

Other Side Effects

This medicine can also cause other, less serious side effects. If any of the other side effects listed in the manufacturer’s pamphlet or those below happen to you, please stop the medicine and call or message us or go see your doctor in-person.

  • Slower heart rate
  • Diarrhea
  • Dry eyes
  • Hair loss
  • Nausea
  • Weakness or tiredness

Medicines, Supplements, and Foods

We have evaluated your health history and the specific health information you provided us; however, if anything changes and you start or discover that you are taking any of the medicines, foods, or supplements listed below, call or message us before you take the medicine.

Some of these can cause dangerous interactions with the medicine we are prescribing you and we will help you evaluate that risk and decide on the best plan.

  • Blood pressure drugs, such as:
    • Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors
    • Other Beta-blockers
    • Alpha-blockers
  • Anesthetics (Drugs that block sensation), such as:
    • Lidocaine
    • Mepivacaine
    • Dobutamine
  • Drugs used to increase heart rate and blood pressure, such as:
    • Epinephrine
    • Isoproterenol
    • Dobutamine
  • Asthma drugs, such as theophylline.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)
  • Blood-thinning drugs, such as warfarin
  • Drugs for stomach ulcers, such as cimetidine
  • Antacids with aluminum hydroxide

Risks

Accurate Information

We have evaluated the specific health information you provided and are making our recommendations based on it.

If you forgot to provide or incorrectly provided that information, we may misdiagnose or fail to diagnose conditions that you may have which could affect our recommendation for treatment.

If you need to clarify or update any information about your health, you can message or call us anytime.

Treatment Failure

This treatment is not 100% effective. It may not work or may only partially resolve the condition for which you are seeking treatment.

If the treatment is not working, or if you are experiencing new or worsening symptoms, give us a call or message us anytime. If it is an emergency call 911 or seek immediate medical help in-person. You may need to seek alternative treatment such as those listed below or in the follow-up plan.

Accepting or Declining Our Recommendation

We are recommending this treatment for you because the potential benefits outweigh the risks in our estimation. You should evaluate this information as well as the manufacturer’s pamphlet, any input from your in-person healthcare team, and any other relevant information to decide if it is appropriate for you.

You are free to not follow our recommendations although there may also be risks associated with no treatment.

Alternative Treatment

We have based our recommendation on your specific case and medical guidelines, but there may be alternative treatments or strategies that may be helpful to you.

Some may be more or less effective than what we provide. Some treatments may require an in-person exam or procedure which we can’t provide. Message us or talk to your doctor in-person to discuss alternative treatments.

Here are some other treatments or strategies that you might consider:

  • Cognitive Behavioral Therapy (CBT)
  • Benzodiazepines
  • Selective Serotonin Reuptake Inhibitors (SSRIs)
  • Serotonin and Norepinephrine Reuptake Inhibitor (SNRIs)

Share with Your In-Person Healthcare Team

You can access your Kick Health records at any time. We strongly recommend that you update your in-person doctor, pharmacist, and the rest of your healthcare team to let them know about any new medicines you are taking or other changes to your health.

You can also ask us questions anytime and we are happy to help share any information about your health with your in-person healthcare team.

Kick Health Contact Information

We’re available to answer any questions you have. Send us a secure message at www.gokick.com/me.