Atenolol+lercanidipine
About
Atenolol+lercanidipine belongs to the class of combination medication called 'anti-hypertensive drugs', primarily used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). Hypertension is a medical condition in which the blood exerts high pressure (force exerted by circulating blood) against the blood vessel's walls. This condition makes the heart work harder in pumping blood to the whole body. Hypertension can cause severe health complications, including stroke, heart failure, heart attack and kidney failure.
Atenolol+lercanidipine contains Atenolol (beta-blocker) and Lercanidipine (calcium channel blocker). Atenolol works by changing the way your body responds to some nerve impulses, including in the heart. It slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Lercanidipine works by blocking calcium from entering muscles in the heart and blood vessels. Muscles need calcium to contract, so when you block the calcium, it makes the muscle cells relax. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Altogether, Atenolol+lercanidipine helps lower your raised blood pressure and reduce the risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, other heart problems, or kidney problems in the future.
Atenolol+lercanidipine is an orally administered drug in the form of a tablet. You can take Atenolol+lercanidipine with food or without food. Swallow it as a whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite, or break it. Your doctor will advise you how often you take Atenolol+lercanidipine based on your medical condition. You may experience feeling sleepy, tired or dizzy, cold fingers or toes, sick (nausea), diarrhoea, and constipation in some cases. Most of these side effects of Atenolol+lercanidipine do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Do not stop taking Atenolol+lercanidipine without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver or heart diseases, diabetes, gout and asthma. Notify your doctor if you are taking other medicines or allergic to Atenolol+lercanidipine. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling. Let your doctor know if you use any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, including vitamins, before starting Atenolol+lercanidipine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Atenolol+lercanidipine can be prescribed accordingly.
Uses of Atenolol+lercanidipine
Medicinal Benefits
Atenolol+lercanidipine treats high blood pressure and irregular heartbeats (arrhythmia). Atenolol+lercanidipine contains Atenolol (beta-blocker) and Lercanidipine (calcium channel blocker). Atenolol works by changing the way your body responds to some nerve impulses, including in the heart. It slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Lercanidipine works by blocking calcium going into muscles in the heart and blood vessels. Muscles need calcium to contract, so when you block the calcium, it makes the muscle cells relax. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Altogether, Atenolol+lercanidipine helps lower your raised blood pressure and reduce the risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, other heart problems, or kidney problems in the future. As a result, it protects your heart and keeps it healthy.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Atenolol+lercanidipine
- Feeling sleepy
- Tired or dizzy
- Cold fingers or toes
- Feeling sick (nausea)
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Do not stop taking Atenolol+lercanidipine without consulting your doctor since it may worsen your condition and increase the risk of future heart problems. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver or heart diseases, diabetes, gout and asthma. Inform your doctor if you are taking other medicines or allergic to Atenolol+lercanidipine. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the body's swelling. Let your doctor know if you use any prescription and non-prescription medications you are taking, including vitamins, before starting Atenolol+lercanidipine. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Atenolol+lercanidipine can be prescribed accordingly.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Atenolol+lercanidipine is known to interact with medicines used to treat irregular heartbeat (e.g. amiodarone or flecainide), medications used for allergies (e.g. ephedrine, noradrenaline or adrenaline), medicines that lower blood pressure (e.g. ramipril or lisinopril), medications used to treat epilepsy (e.g. carbamazepine, phenytoin, phenobarbital), and drugs to ease breathing (e.g. aminophylline, theophylline).
Drug-Food Interactions: Atenolol+lercanidipine interacts with grapefruit and rich protein foods. Hence it should not be taken with Atenolol+lercanidipine. Using Atenolol+lercanidipine together with multivitamins/minerals may decrease the effects of Atenolol+lercanidipine. You should maintain at least 2 hours between the administration of Atenolol+lercanidipine and multivitamins/minerals if necessary.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Atenolol+lercanidipine may interact with disease conditions including diabetes, asthma, cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver disease, heart failure and lung disease.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol with Atenolol+lercanidipine to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
cautionAtenolol+lercanidipine belongs to FDA Category C in pregnancy. There is limited evidence regarding the use of Atenolol+lercanidipine and is generally not preferred as the initial treatment of hypertension in pregnancy. It is best to consult your doctor if you have high blood pressures during pregnancy.
Breast Feeding
cautionCaution should be exercised, and it is advisable to consult a doctor before using it.
Driving
cautionDrive with caution. Atenolol+lercanidipine usually causes drowsiness and affects driving ability.
Liver
cautionAtenolol+lercanidipine to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of Liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
unsafeAtenolol+lercanidipine is not recommended for kidney failure patients or who are at a severe level of kidney damage. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
cautionAtenolol+lercanidipine is not recommended for children below 12 years of age without a doctor's consent.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Create a well-balanced and healthy diet that includes vegetables, fruits, whole grains, legumes, omega-3-rich foods, and lean protein sources.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Avoid chronic stress, as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Be mindful of salt; consume no more than 2,300 mg each day.
- Limit or avoid alcohol consumption.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
Special Advise
- Monitor your blood pressure regularly and seek medical advice if you notice any drastic fluctuations.
- Atenolol+lercanidipine should be taken at the same time every day for its maximum effects to be seen and for increased compliance.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: Hypertension is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. Blood pressure is the amount of blood pumped by the heart and the amount of resistance exerted by the arteries against the blood flow. If the heart pumps more blood, arteries become narrower, and blood pressure becomes high. If blood pressure becomes uncontrolled, it may lead to serious heart diseases, including stroke and heart attack. High blood pressure can also cause brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. Blood pressure is expressed as systolic and diastolic pressures. Systolic blood pressure represents the contraction and relaxation of the heart. Diastolic pressure is exerted in the blood vessels when the heart beats and is in the resting state. Ideal blood pressure should be between 90/60mmHg and 120/80mmHg. Hypertension is detected when systolic blood pressure is more than 140mmHg, and diastolic pressure is higher than 90mmHg. Some symptoms of hypertension include headache, nose bleed, vomiting and chest pain.
FAQs
Atenolol+lercanidipine contains Atenolol (beta-blocker) and Lercanidipine (calcium channel blocker). Atenolol works by changing the way your body responds to some nerve impulses, including in the heart. It slows down your heart rate and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Lercanidipine works by blocking calcium going into muscles in the heart and blood vessels. Muscles need calcium to contract, so when you block the calcium, it makes the muscle cells relax. This lowers your blood pressure and makes it easier for your heart to pump blood around your body. Altogether, Atenolol+lercanidipine helps in lowering your raised blood pressure and in reducing the risk of having a stroke, a heart attack, other heart problems, or kidney problems in the future.
Even though your blood pressure becomes normal after using Atenolol+lercanidipine, it may switch back to high ranges if you stop using it. Your doctor may change the dosing schedule based on your blood pressure range.
Atenolol+lercanidipine can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Conditions such as high blood pressure are life-long conditions, and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor.
High blood pressure during pregnancy is called 'Pregnancy-induced hypertension (PIH). It is harmful to both the baby and the mother. In the mother, very high blood pressure can cause seizures (fits), headache, swelling of feet, kidney damage and a higher risk of bleeding during pregnancy and during delivery. This can also affect the baby by causes abnormal fetal heart rate of the baby, risk of stillbirth and small baby. So, during the pregnancy, you should have regular blood pressure monitoring. Visit your Obstetrician if you have any concerns related to blood pressure during pregnancy.
Usually, Atenolol+lercanidipine is prescribed for a long term treatment ranging from weeks to months for treating heart-related conditions and disorders. However, taking it on your own for years without a doctor's consent can be fatal. Hence, only take it as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you.
