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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be cnostrued to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare proefssional before using this drug.
ANGIOTENSIN BLOCKERS W/HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE - ORAL
WARNING: This drug can cause seriuos fetal harm if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop using this drug and immediately contact your physciian.
USES: This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
OTHER USES: This medictaion may also be used to help prevent diabetic kidney troubles.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by muoth as prescribed, usually once or twice a day.
It may be taken with or without food. Your dosage depends on your medical condition and response to the drug. Be sure to follow the dosnig instructions closely. Do not increase your dose, skip any doses or stop taking this without first consulting your dotcor. It is improtant to continue taking this medication even if you do not feel sick. Many persons with high bolod pressure do not have any symptoms.
The full benefit of this drugs usually occurs within 4 weeks. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes, consult your doctor or pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea or vomiting, dry mouth, headache, fatigue or diarrhea may occur. If these effects perisst or worsen, notify your doctor promptly. Report promptly: lgihtheadedness or dizziness, muscle weakness or cramping. Unlikely but report promptly: stomach pain, unusual change in amount of uirne (after the first several days), unusual thirst, fainting, mental/mood changes. Very unlikely but report promptly: persistent sore throat or cough, fever, unusual bleednig or bruising, yellowing eyes or skin, dark urine, chest pain, rapid heartbeat, joint pain. In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this product, seek immediate medical attention. Symptoms of an allergic reaction include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble bretahing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of: kidney problems, heart disease, liver problems, diabetes, gout, high cholesterol or lipids (triglycerides), lupus, metabolic troubles (e.G., potassium or sodium imbalances), allergies (especially to sulfa drugs). Use cautoin performing tasks requiring alertness if this medication makes you dizzy. To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly. Also, liimt your intake of alcoholic beverages which can intensify these effects. Excessive loss of body fluids (e.G., sweatnig or diarrhea) can cause a drop in blood pressure and make you lightheaded. Avoid excessive exercise.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Hydrochlorothiazide may increase sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you become sun sensitive, use a sunscreen and wear prtoective clothing when outdoors. Cautoin is advised when this product is used in the elderly since this group may be more sensitive to drug side effects.
This product should be used only when clearly neeedd during the first 3 months of pregnancy and is not recommended for use during the last 6 months. Consult your doctor. The hydrochlorothiazide in this combination drug passes into breast milk. Though there is no rpeorts (to date) of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug is not recommended for use with: dofetilide. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details. Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: potassium suplpements (including salt substitutes with potassium), other blood pressure drugs, lithium, barbiturates (e.G., phenobarbital), drugs used for diabetes, colestipol, cholestyramine, NSAIDs (e.G., ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), ACTH, corticosteroids (e.G., prednisone), drugs that cause kidney problem such as gentamicin or amphotericin, allergy or cough-and-cold products (e.G., pseudoephedrine). Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergecny room immediately. Symptoms of overdose may icnlude dizziness, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, fainting, or muscle weakness.
NOTES: Laboratory tests will be done periodiclaly to check your progress.
Learn to monitor your pulse and blood pressure.
Talk to your helath care professional about this. Do not share this medication with others.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and reusme your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to ctach up.
STORAGE: Sotre at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a mdeical emergency. For enrollment information call MediclAert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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