Following a nuclear test, my heart doctor didn't like the blood pressure meds I've been taking for past 10 years (clonidine/terazosin) and prescribed a different one - atenalol 25mg.
But he was not clear about HOW I should make the switch which I have not done yet.
Do I suddenly stop clonidine and begin the atenalol? OR, do I gradually reduce the Clonidine? Do I continue the terazosin (diuretic) with the atenalol or JUST take the atenalol? Is there a specific method known in doing this changeover procedure?
Any advice would be appreciated because I don't want to do the wrong thing.
Thanks

Call your doctor and ask him. That is a minimal dose of atenolol so an immediate switch probably wouldn't cause any problems, but you are paying your doctor good money to answer this kind of question.

Based on this info:

http://bidocs.boehringer-ingelheim.com/BIWebAccess/ViewServlet.ser?docBase=renetnt&folderPath=/Prescribing+Information/PIs/Catapres+Tabs/CatapresTabs.pdf

The half life is about 16 hrs and therefore Clonidine will be gone in 5 times that. Note that they recommend adjustments in weeky intervals.

I seriously doubt the diuretic will be problem to stop immediately.

Atenol is a very rapid acting drug whose effects last for 24 hours.

http://www1.astrazeneca-us.com/pi/tenormin.pdf

It would make sense to ask. It would be nice to have a BP meter at home. You can raise your own blood pressure by drinking more fluids.

If it were me based on what I just read. I'd drop the current regimn for 2 days before starting the new drug. I'd monitor blood pressure along the way and drink more fluids if it tends to head up to an unsafe level.

You can think of it this way. Low blood pressure is an immediate problem and high blood pressure is a transient problem. You can raise your own BP by increasing fluids. Do the medicaton adjustments where the peak action of the med will be during the waking hours. You can change later.

It's wise to check with your doctor.

If it were me based on what I just read. I'd drop the current regimn for 2 days before starting the new drug. I'd monitor blood pressure along the way and drink more fluids if it tends to head up to an unsafe level.

You can think of it this way. Low blood pressure is an immediate problem and high blood pressure is a transient problem. You can raise your own BP by increasing fluids. Do the medicaton adjustments where the peak action of the med will be during the waking hours. You can change later.

My Authoritative Source, Costco Pharmacy sells atenolol in 25mg, 50 mg and 100mg sizes. Can't get much more authoritative than Costco!

One more thought that occurred to me - this one on cost. Atenolol is relatively cheap (unlike the brand name Tenormin). It typically costs less than your insurance co-pay. But, for even better savings (This applies to Costco; I don't know what other pharmacies might do the same thing), get your doctor to write the prescription for quantity 100. For the 25mg size, Costco charges $5.69 for 30; $6.40 for 50; and $8.32 for 100. So dealing in quantities of 100 (I have mine write it for x3 refills to cover a year) you get over 3 months worth for $8.32. I expect prices at different stores vary slightly, but probably not a whole lot. This works for some other medications also.