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- $Unique_ID{BRK03367}
- $Pretitle{}
- $Title{trichlormethiazide}
- $Subject{Diurese American Urologicals Metahydrin Merrell Dow Naqua Schering
- Niazide Major Trichlorex Lannett Diuretic antihypertensive trichlormethiazide
- high blood pressure fluid accumulation heart failure cirrhosis liver kidney
- disease elimination sodium water kidneys}
- $Volume{}
- $Log{}
-
- Copyright (C) 1993 Publications International, Ltd.
-
-
- trichlormethiazide
- ------------------------------------------------------------------------------
-
- BRAND NAMES (Manufacturers)
-
- Diurese (American Urologicals)
- Metahydrin (Merrell Dow)
- Naqua (Schering)
- Niazide (Major)
- Trichlorex (Lannett)
- trichlormethiazide (various manufacturers)
-
- TYPE OF DRUG
-
- Diuretic and antihypertensive
-
- INGREDIENT
-
- trichlormethiazide
-
- DOSAGE FORM
-
- Tablets (2 mg and 4 mg)
-
- STORAGE
-
- This medication should be stored at room temperature in a tightly closed
- container.
-
- USES
-
- Trichlormethiazide 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, and kidney disease and by the
- long-term use of some medications. This medication reduces fluid accumulation
- by increasing the elimination of sodium 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 next dose.
- This medication does not cure high blood pressure, but will help control
- the condition as long as you continue to take it.
-
- SIDE EFFECTS
-
- Minor.
-
- Constipation, cramps, diarrhea, dizziness, drowsiness, headache,
- heartburn, loss of appetite, nausea, 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 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, vomiting, or yellowing of the eyes or skin.
-
- INTERACTIONS
-
- Trichlormethiazide interacts with other types of medications:
- 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
- trichlormethiazide (which can be dangerous).
- 3. Indomethacin can decrease the blood-pressure-lowering effects of
- trichlormethiazide, thereby counteracting the desired effects.
- 4. Cholestyramine and colestipol decrease the absorption of this
- medication from the gastrointestinal tract. Trichlormethiazide should,
- therefore, be taken one hour before or four hours after a dose of
- cholestyramine or colestipol if one of these medications has also been
- prescribed.
- 5. Trichlormethiazide may increase the side effects of amphotericin B,
- calcium, cortisone and cortisone-like steroids (such as dexamethasone,
- hydrocortisone, prednisone, prednisolone), digoxin, digitalis, lithium,
- quinidine, sulfonamide antibiotics, and vitamin D.
- 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 trichlormethiazide or to other sulfa drugs,
- including other diuretics, oral antidiabetic medications, and sulfonamide
- antibiotics.
- * Before you start taking trichlormethiazide, 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.
- * Trichlormethiazide 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 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, however, before
- discussing it with your doctor; too much potassium can also be dangerous.
- Your doctor may want to have blood tests performed periodically in order to
- monitor your potassium levels.
- * In order to prevent dizziness and light-headedness, limit your intake
- of alcoholic beverages 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
- directed to do so by your doctor.
- * 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 levels in diabetic patients.
- Therefore, blood sugar should be carefully monitored with blood or urine tests
- when this medication is being taken.
- * Some of these products contain the color additive FD&C Yellow No. 5
- (tartrazine), which can cause allergic-type reactions (wheezing, rash,
- fainting, difficulty in breathing) in certain susceptible individuals.
- * The elderly may be more likely to experience dizziness,
- light-headedness, and too much potassium loss as a result of therapy with this
- drug.
- * Be sure to tell your doctor if you are pregnant. This drug is able to
- cross the placenta. Safety in human pregnancy has not been established.
- Adverse effects have been observed in the fetuses of animals that received
- large doses of this type of drug during pregnancy. 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.
-