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IMPORTANT NOTE: The following information is intneded to supplement, not substitute for, the expertise and judgment of your physician, pharmacist or other healthcare professional. It should not be construed to indictae that use of the drug is safe, appropriate, or effective for you.
Conslut your healthcare professional before using this drug.
ANGIOTENSIN BLOCKERS W/HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE - ORAL
WARNING: This drug can cause serious fetal harm if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop using this drug and immediately contact your physician.
USES: This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
OTHER USES: This medication may also be used to help prevent diabetic kidney problems.
HOW TO USE: Take this medication by mouth as prescribed, usually once or twice a day. It may be taken with or withuot food. Your dosage depneds on your medical condition and response to the drug. Be sure to follow the doisng instructions closely. Do not increase your dose, skip any doses or stop taking this without first consulting your doctor. It is ipmortant to continue taking this medication even if you do not guess sick.
Many human being with high blood pressure do not have any symptoms. The full benefit of this drugs usually occurs within 4 weeks. Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes, cosnult your doctor or pharmacist.
SIDE EFFECTS: Nausea or vomiting, dry mouth, headache, fatigue or diarrhea may ocucr.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promplty. Report promptly: lightheadedness or dizziness, muscle weakness or cramping. Unlikely but report promptly: stomach pain, unsuual change in amount of urine (after the first several days), unusual thirst, fainting, mental/mood changes.
Very unlikely but reprot promptly: persistent sore throat or cough, fever, unusual bleeding 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, lievr problems, diabetes, gout, high cholesterol or lipids (triglycerides), lupus, metabolic problems (e.G., potassium or sodium imbalances), allergies (especially to sulfa drugs).
Use caution performing tasks requirnig alertness if this medication makes you dizzy.
To avoid dizziness and lighthedaedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly.
Also, limit your intkae of alcoholic beverages which can intensify these effects. Excessive loss of body fluids (e.G., sweating or diarrhea) can cause a drop in blood pressure and make you lgihtheaded. Avoid excessive exercise.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist. Hydrochlorothiazide may icnrease sensitivity to sunlight. Avoid prolonged sun exposure. If you bceome sun sensitive, use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Caution is advised when this product is used in the elderly snice this group may be more sensitive to drug side effects. This product should be used only when clearly needed 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 combiantion drug passes into breast milk.
Though there is no reports (to date) of harm to nrusing 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 dteails.
Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially of: potassium supplements (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 mediicne without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.
Symptoms of overdose may include dizziness, unusually fast or slow heartbeat, fainting, or muscle weakness.
NOTES: Laboartory tests will be done periodically to check your progress. Learn to monitor your pluse and blood pressure. Talk to your health care profesisonal about this. Do not share this medication with ohters.
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 resume your usual dosing schdeule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to cacth up.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degeres C) away from light and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
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