Hydrochlorothiazide Pronunciation: hye dro klor oh THYE a zide Brand Names: Carozide, Diaqua, Esidrix, Ezide, Hydro Par, HydroDIURIL, Loqua, Microzide, Oretic -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Important Information Description Who should not take it? How should I take it? What happens if I miss a dose? What happens if I overdose? What should I avoid while taking it? What are the side effects? What other drugs will affect it? Where can I get more information? Brand Names -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide? • To reduce nighttime urination, take hydrochlorothiazide early in the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor. • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What is hydrochlorothiazide? • Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It decreases the amount of fluid in your body by increasing the amount of salt and water you lose in your urine. • Hydrochlorothiazide is used to lower blood pressure and to decrease edema (swelling). • Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Who should not take hydrochlorothiazide? • Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics. You may have an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide. • Before taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have · diabetes, · gout, · a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus, · pancreatitis, · kidney disease, · liver disease, or · high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in your blood. • You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy if you have any of the conditions listed above. • Hydrochlorothiazide is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant. • Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- How should I take hydrochlorothiazide? • Take hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you. • Take each dose with a full glass of water. • To reduce nighttime urination, take hydrochlorothiazide early in the day unless otherwise directed by your doctor. • Do not stop taking hydrochlorothiazide suddenly even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly could make your condition worse. • Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens if I miss a dose? • Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What happens if I overdose? • Seek emergency medical attention. • Symptoms of a hydrochlorothiazide overdose include increased urination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, lethargy, and unconsciousness. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide? • Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. • Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide. • Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt may cause your body to retain water and may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide. • Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable. • Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise. It is easier to become dangerously dehydrated while taking hydrochlorothiazide. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide? • If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking hydrochlorothiazide and seek emergency medical attention: · an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives); · unusual fatigue; · abnormal bleeding or bruising; · yellow skin or eyes; · confusion; · irregular heartbeats or a fluttering feeling in your chest; or · little or no urine. • Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take hydrochlorothiazide and talk to your doctor if you experience · dizziness, especially when you switch to sitting or standing from a lying position; · tingling or numbness in your arms, legs, hands, or feet; · excessive urination; · muscle weakness or cramps; · increased hunger or thirst; · nausea or decreased appetite; · abdominal pain; · sensitivity to sunlight; or · impotence. • Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide? • Before taking hydrochlorothiazide tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medications: · lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); · digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); · the cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); · a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), fenoprofen (Nalfon), ketorolac (Toradol), or flurbiprofen (Ansaid); · a diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others; or · a steroid medicine such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), prednisolone (Delta Cortef, Prelone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others. • You may not be able to take hydrochlorothiazide, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking any of the medications listed above. • Also, before taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicine to treat high blood pressure, water retention, heart problems, prostate problems, or another condition. Some medicines used to treat these conditions may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and the effects on your heart may be increased. • Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, seizure medicines, antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor. • Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydrochlorothiazide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Where can I get more information? • Your pharmacist has additional information about hydrochlorothiazide written for health professionals that you may read. Back to Top -------------------------------------------------------------------------------- Brand Names: • Carozide • Diaqua • Esidrix • Ezide • Hydro Par • HydroDIURIL • Loqua • Microzide • Oretic From WebMD