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- $Unique_ID{BRK03045}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{bendroflumethiazide}
- $Subject{Naturetin Princeton Diuretic antihypertensive bendroflumethiazide
- high blood pressure fluid accumulation heart failure cirrhosis liver kidney
- disease elimination salt water kidneys}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- bendroflumethiazide
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAME (Manufacturer)
-
- Naturetin (Princeton)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Diuretic and antihypertensive
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- bendroflumethiazide
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (5 mg and 10 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container.
-
- USES
-
- Bendroflumethiazide is prescribed to treat high blood pressure. It is
- also used to reduce fluid accumulation 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.
-
- 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.;
- otherwise, you may have to get up during the night to urinate.
- 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.
- This medication does not cure high blood pressure, but it will help to
- control the condition as long as you continue to take it.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
- heartburn, loss of appetite, restlessness, or upset stomach. As your body
- adjusts to the medication, these side effects should disappear.
- This medication can cause increased sensitivity to sunlight. It is,
- therefore, important to 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
- blurred vision, confusion, difficulty in breathing, dry mouth, excessive
- thirst, excessive weakness, fever, itching, joint pain, mood changes, muscle
- pain or spasms, nausea, palpitations, skin rash, sore throat, tingling in the
- fingers or toes, unusual bleeding or bruising, vomiting, or yellowing of the
- eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- This drug interacts with several other drugs:
- 1. It may decrease the effectiveness of oral anticoagulants, antigout
- medications, insulin, oral antidiabetic medicines, and methenamine.
- 2. Fenfluramine can increase the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- bendroflumethiazide (which can be dangerous).
- 3. Indomethacin can decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- bendroflumethiazide, thereby counteracting the desired effects.
- 4. Cholestyramine and colestipol decrease the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Bendroflumethiazide should,
- therefore, be taken one hour before or four hours after a dose of
- cholestyramine or colestipol (if you have also been prescribed one of these
- medications).
- 5. The side effects of amphotericin B, calcium, cortisone-like steroids
- (such as cortisone, dexamethasone, hydrocortisone, prednisone, and
- prednisolone), digoxin, digitalis, lithium, quinidine, sulfonamide
- antibiotics, and vitamin D may be increased by bendroflumethiazide.
- BE SURE TO TELL YOUR DOCTOR about any medications you are currently
- taking, especially any of those listed above.
-
- WARNINGS
-
- * Tell your doctor about unusual or allergic reactions you have had to
- any medications, especially to diuretics or any other sulfa drugs, including
- oral antidiabetic medications or sulfonamide antibiotics.
- * Before you start taking bendroflumethiazide, 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, pancreatic disease, or
- systemic lupus erythematosus.
- * Bendroflumethiazide can cause potassium loss. Signs of potassium loss
- include dry mouth, thirst, weakness, muscle pain or cramps, nausea, and
- vomiting. If you experience any of these symptoms, call your doctor. To help
- avoid potassium loss, take this drug with a glass of fresh or frozen orange
- juice or cranberry juice, or eat a banana every day. The use of a salt
- substitute also helps to prevent potassium loss. Do not change your diet or
- use a salt substitute, however, before discussing it with your doctor. Too
- much potassium can also be dangerous. Your doctor may want you to have blood
- tests performed periodically in order to monitor your potassium levels.
- * Limit your intake of alcoholic beverages while taking this medication,
- in order to prevent dizziness and light-headedness.
- * If you have high blood pressure, do not take any over-the-counter
- (nonprescription) medications for weight control or for allergy, asthma,
- cough, cold, or sinus problems unless your doctor directs you to do so.
- * To prevent dehydration (severe water loss) while taking this
- medication, check with your doctor if you have any illness that causes severe
- or continuous nausea, vomiting, or diarrhea.
- * This medication can raise blood sugar in diabetic patients. Therefore,
- blood sugar levels should be carefully monitored by blood or urine tests when
- this medication is being taken.
- * This product contains the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
- (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (rash, fainting,
- difficulty in breathing) in certain susceptible individuals.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. Bendroflumethiazide
- can cross the placenta and may cause adverse effects in the developing fetus.
- Also, tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding an infant. Although problems
- in humans have not been reported, small amounts of this drug can pass into
- breast milk, so caution is warranted.
-
- ----------------
-
- 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.
-