Q: I am a 48 years old lady. For the last 1 year I have developed diabetes and have been suffering from hypertension for 5 years. I have a family history of heart attack. I am taking the following medicines: Tenoric 25mg; Covance 25mg; Ecosprin 75mg & for diabetes G-REG-SR-500 2 per day. My question is that in Tenoric there is Atenolol & Chlorthalidone and my son, who is doing M.D., says these 2 drugs trigger diabetes. So instead of this, can I take some other medicine? My B.P. is normal with these drugs. Please answer my question as I am worried.

A:Atenolol has not been found to have undesirable effect in diabetes; diuretics such as chlorthalidione can worsen metabolic control in people with diabetes. However, this effect is unlikely to be important with the small dose in Tenoretic, but you could try using Atenolol without the Chlorthalidone, and stay on that if the BP is conrolled adequately.