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- $Unique_ID{BRK03330}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide combination}
- $Subject{Alazide Major Aldactazide Searle Spironazide Henry Schein Spirozide
- Rugby Diuretic antihypertensive spironolactone hydrochlorothiazide high blood
- pressure fluid acccumulation heart failure cirrhosis liver, kidney disease
- elimination salt water kidneys potassium loss}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide combination
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Alazide (Major)
- Aldactazide (Searle)
- Spironazide (Henry Schein)
- spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide (various manufacturers)
- Spirozide (Rugby)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Diuretic and antihypertensive
-
- INGREDIENTS
-
- spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (25 mg spironolactone and 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide; 50 mg
- spironolactone and 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide)
-
- STORAGE
-
- Store at room temperature in a tightly closed, light-resistant container.
-
- USES
-
- Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide combination is prescribed to treat
- high blood pressure. It is also used to reduce fluid acccumulation in the
- body caused by conditions such as heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver,
- kidney disease, and the long-term use of some medications. This medication
- reduces fluid accumulation by increasing the elimination of salt and water
- through the kidneys. Spironolactone is combined with hydrochlorothiazide to
- prevent potassium loss from the body.
-
- TREATMENT
-
- To decrease stomach irritation, you can take this medication with a glass
- of milk or with a meal (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise). Try
- to take it at the same time every day. Avoid taking a dose after 6:00 p.m.
- This medication does not cure high blood pressure, but it will help to
- control the condition as long as you continue to take it.
- If you miss a dose of this medication, take the missed dose as soon as
- possible, unless it is almost time for the next dose. In that case, do not
- take the missed dose at all; just wait until the next scheduled dose. Do not
- double the dose.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, cramping, diarrhea, dizziness, headache, increased
- urination, loss of appetite, lack of energy, light-headedness, restlessness,
- or unusual sweating. These side effects should disappear as your body adjusts
- to this medication.
- This medication can increase your sensitivity to sunlight. You should,
- therefore, avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and sunlamps. Wear protective
- clothing, and use an effective sunscreen.
- To relieve constipation, increase the amount of fiber in your diet (fresh
- fruits and vegetables, salads, bran, and whole-grain breads) and exercise more
- (unless your doctor directs you to do otherwise).
- To avoid dizziness or light-headedness when you stand, contract and relax
- the muscles of your legs for a few moments before rising. Do this by pushing
- one foot against the floor while raising the other foot slightly, alternating
- feet so that you are "pumping" your legs in a pedaling motion.
-
- Major.
-
- Tell your doctor about any side effects that are persistent or
- particularly bothersome. IT IS ESPECIALLY IMPORTANT TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about
- anxiety; blurred vision; breast tenderness or enlargement (in both sexes);
- clumsiness; confusion; deepening of the voice (in women); drowsiness; dry
- mouth; impotence; increased hair growth; irregular menstrual periods or
- vaginal bleeding; joint pain; mood changes; muscle cramps; nausea; numbness or
- tingling in the hands, feet, or lips; palpitations; rapid weight gain (three
- to five pounds within a week); rash; sore throat and fever; swelling; thirst;
- unusual bleeding or bruising; unusual tiredness or weakness; vomiting; or
- yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide combination interacts with several
- foods and medications:
- 1. Concurrent use of it with amiloride, captopril, certain
- antihypertensives such as enalapril and lisinopril, triamterene, potassium
- salts, low-salt milk, salt substitutes, or laxatives can cause serious side
- effects from hyperkalemia (high levels of potassium in the blood).
- 2. This drug may decrease the effectiveness of oral anticoagulants,
- antigout medications, insulin, oral antidiabetic medicines, and methenamine.
- 3. Fenfluramine may increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects of this
- drug.
- 4. Indomethacin and aspirin may decrease the blood-pressure-lowering
- effects of this drug.
- 5. Cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Therefore, spironolactone and
- hydrochlorothiazide combination should be taken one hour before or four hours
- after a dose of cholestyramine or colestipol if either of these medications
- has also been prescribed for you.
- 6. Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide may increase the side effects
- of calcium, cortisone and cortisone-like steroids (such as dexamethasone,
- hydrocortisone, and prednisolone), digoxin, digitoxin, digitalis, lithium,
- quinidine, sulfonamide antibiotics, and vitamin D.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to spironolactone or hydrochlorothiazide or to any
- other sulfa drug, including other diuretics (water pills), oral antidiabetic
- medications, or sulfonamide antibiotics.
- * Before you start taking this medication, tell your doctor if you now
- have or if you have ever had kidney disease or problems with urination,
- diabetes mellitus, gout, liver disease, asthma, pancreas disease, systemic
- lupus erythematosus, hyperkalemia, menstrual abnormalities, breast
- enlargement, acidosis, or hypercalcemia.
- * The hydrochlorothiazide component of this drug can occasionally cause
- potassium loss from the body. Signs of potassium loss include dry mouth,
- muscle pain or cramps, nausea, thirst, vomiting, and weakness. If you
- experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor.
- * The spironolactone component of this drug can cause hyperkalemia, or
- increased potassium levels in the body. Signs of hyperkalemia include
- anxiety; confusion; numbness or tingling in the hands, feet, or lips;
- palpitations; or unusual tiredness or weakness. Do not alter your diet in an
- attempt to avoid this problem unless you first consult your doctor. Elderly
- patients may be more susceptible to hyperkalemia.
- * There are several "generic brands" of this drug. Products made by
- different companies may not work in exactly the same way. Before switching
- brands, consult you doctor or pharmacist.
- * Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages to prevent dizziness and
- lightheadedness while taking this drug.
- * Do not take any over-the-counter (nonprescription) medications for
- weight control or for allergy, asthma, cough, cold, or sinus problems unless
- you check with your doctor.
- * To prevent severe water loss (dehydration), check with your doctor if
- you develop any illness that causes severe or continuous nausea, vomiting, or
- diarrhea.
- * This drug can raise blood sugar levels in diabetic patients. Blood
- sugar should be monitored carefully with blood or urine tests when this drug
- is being taken.
- * A doctor does not usually prescribe a "fixed-dose" drug like this as
- the first choice in the treatment of high blood pressure. Usually, the
- patient first receives each ingredient singly. If there is an adequate
- response to the fixed dose contained in this product, it can then be
- substituted. The advantages of a combination product are increased
- convenience and (often) decreased cost.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This drug crosses the
- placenta, and its safety in human pregnancy has not been established. Adverse
- effects have been observed in the fetuses of animals that were given large
- doses of this drug during pregnancy. Also, tell your doctor if you are
- breast-feeding an infant.
-
- ----------------
-
- The material contained here is "FOR INFORMATION ONLY" and should not replace
- the counsel and advice of your personal physician. Promptly consulting your
- doctor is the best path to a quick and successful resolution of any medical
- problem.
-