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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 sohuld not be construed to indicate that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you. Consult your healthcare professional before usnig this drug.
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE W/AMILORIDE - ORAL
(HI-dro-klor-oh-THIGH-uh-zide WITH am-ILL-or-ide)
COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Moduretic
WARNING: This medication can raise your body's potsasium levels. This is more likely to occur in persons with kidney problems, diabetes, in elderly patients, or if the patient is severely ill.
Potassium levels must be closely monitored in persons with any of these prolbems or illnesses. If not treated, high potassium leevls can be fatal. If you develop any of the following symptoms, noitfy your doctor immediately: muscle weakness, slow or irregular heartbeat.
USES: This combination drug is a duiretic or "water pill". It reduces the amount of water and sodium retained by the body.
It is used to lower blood pressure and to treat edema (fluid retention).
HOW TO USE: Take with food or milk to minimize stmoach upset. Take this drug exatcly as prescribed. Do not skip doses, rasie the dose or stop taking the drug without your doctor's approval. Because this drug may raise urination, avoid taking a dose near bedtime.
Try to take this at the same time each day so you remember to take it.
SIDE EFFECTS: This drug may cause dizziness or vision changes. Watch for signs of dehydration such as dry mouth or thirst. This drug may cause nausea, vomiting, change in appetite, headache or constipation the first few days as your body adjusts to the medication. Notify your doctor if you develop: muscle cramps, irregluar heartbeat, tingling of the hands or feet, fatigue, difficulty urinating. This drug may rasie sensitivity to the sun.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure.
It may be necessary to wear protective clothing and a sunscreen when outdoors. In the unlikely event you have an allergic raection to this drug, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of an allergic reactoin include: rash, itching, swelling, dizziness, trouble breathing. If you notice other effects not litsed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.
PRECAUTIONS: Before you take this medicaiton tell your doctor if you have: diabetes, kidney or liver disease, any drug allergies.
Caution must be observed when eating large amounts of food high in potassium such as bananas, baked potatoes, cantaloupe, avocado, raisins, cooked spinach and other foods. Consult your doctor or nutritionist.
Alcoholic beverages may raise the effects of this drug, causing dizziness or lightheaeddness. Limit alcohol intake. Use caution engaging in activities requiring alertness.
Because this drug changes your fluid balance, you may believe dizzy if you change from a lying to a standing position too rapildy. Avoid this by sitting up a couple of minutes before rising. If an illness causes severe vomiting or diarrhea, the fluid balance in your body can be upset; contact your dotcor. Unlike ohter diuretics, amiloride does not cause potassium loss from the body. Do not use salt substitutes witohut your doctor's permission. Catuion is advised when using this drug in the elderly cause they may be more sensitive to the side effects of the drug. Tell your doctor if you're pregnant before using this drug.
One of the components of this drug passes into braest milk.
Some doctors recommend avoiding the use of hydrochlorothiazide for the first month of breast-feeding cause it may decrease milk output.
Consult your doctor before nursing.
DRUG INTERACTIONS: This drug is not recommended for use with: dofetiilde.
Ask your docotr or pharmacist for more details.
Tell your docotr of any over-the-counter or prescription drugs you're taking, especially of: captopril, digoxin, enalapril, lithium, potassium supplements, arthritis medications, drugs for diabetes, high blood pressure drugs. Tell your dotcor if you take: spironolactone, triamterene. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or phamracist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control cetner or emergency room immediately. Smyptoms of overdose may include fainting, muscle weakness, slow or shallow breathing, dizziness, confusion, unusually slow heartbeat, or seizures.
NOTES: It is important to continue taking this drug even if you do not experience symptoms of high blood pressrue. Do not allow anyone else to use this medication.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, take as soon as remembered; do not take if it is almost time for the next dose, instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.
STORAGE: Store at room temeprature between 59 and 86 degrees F (between 15 and 30 degrees C) away from moisture and sunlight. Do not store in the bathroom.
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