General Information and Indications:
Hydrochlorothiazide, a 'water pill,' is
used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by various
conditions, including heart disease. It causes the kidneys to get rid of
unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.
Information For Users:
Hydrochlorothiazide comes as a tablet and liquid to take
by mouth. It is usually taken once or twice a day. If you are to take it
once a day, take it in the morning; if you are to take it twice a day, take
it in the morning and in the late afternoon to avoid going to the bathroom
during the night. Take this medication with meals or a snack. Follow the
directions on your prescription label, ask your doctor or pharmacist If you
have any questions. Take hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed. Do not
take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your health
care provider.
Hydrochlorothiazide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it.
Continue taking hydrochlorothiazide even if you feel well. Do not
discontinue taking hydrochlorothiazide without informing your doctor.
Other uses for this medicine
Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used to treat patients with diabetes
insipidus and certain electrolyte disturbances and to prevent kidney stones
in patients with high levels of calcium in their blood. Talk to your doctor
about the possible risks of using this medicine for your condition.
special precautions:
o Inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have
allergy to hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, or any other medications.
o Inform your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription
medications you are taking, especially other medicines for high blood
pressure, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin)
or naproxen (Aleve), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), lithium (Eskalith,
Lithobid), medications for diabetes, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. If
you also are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it at least 1 hour
after hydrochlorothiazide.
o inform your doctor if you are breast-feeding diabetes, gout, or kidney,
liver, thyroid, or parathyroid disease.
o Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are
breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking hydrochlorothiazide,
call your doctor without delay.
o if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, Inform your doctor or
dentist that you are taking hydrochlorothiazide.
o you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or
operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
o remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
o plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear
protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Hydrochlorothiazide may make
your skin sensitive to sunlight.
Possible Adverse
Effects:
Frequent urination should go away after you
take hydrochlorothiazide for a few weeks. Inform your doctor if any of the
following symptoms are severe or do not go away:
o muscle weakness
o dizziness
o cramps
o thirst
o stomach pain
o upset stomach
o vomiting
o diarrhea
o loss of appetite (anorexia)
o headache
o hair loss
If you have any of the following symptoms, call your doctor without delay:
o sore throat with fever
o unusual bruising or bleeding
o skin rash with peeling skin
o difficulty swallowing or breathing
Brand Name(s):
o Aldactazide®
o Aldoril®
o Capozide®
o Dyazide®
o HydroDIURIL®
o Inderide®
o Lopressor® HCT
o Maxzide®
o Microzide®
o Moduretic®
o Timolide®
o Vaseretic®
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