Basic Information
- Habit forming? No
- Prescription needed? Yes
- Available as generic? No
- Drug class: Antihypertensive, diuretic (thiazide), ACE
inhibitor
Uses
- Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart
failure.
- Reduces fluid retention.
Dosage & Usage Information
How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. Instructions to take on empty
stomach mean 1 hour before or 2 hours after eating.
When to take:
At the same times each day, usually 2 to 3 times daily. Take
first dose at bedtime and lie down immediately.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than
2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Forces sodium and water excretion, reducing body fluid.
Relaxes muscle cells of small arteries.
Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.
Reduces resistance in arteries.
Strengthens heartbeat.
Time lapse before drug works:
4 to 6 hours. May require several weeks to lower blood pressure.
Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.
Overdose
SYMPTOMS:
Cramps, weakness, drowsiness, weak pulse, low blood pressure.
WHAT TO DO:
- Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance
or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
- See EMERGENCY Information.
Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects
Life-threatening:
Irregular heartbeat (fast Discontinue. Seek or uneven); hives,
rash, emergency treatment. intense itching, faintness soon
after a dose (anaphylaxis).
Common:
- Dry mouth, thirst, tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps,
vomiting, chest pain, skin rash, coughing, weak pulse.
- Taste loss, dizziness.
Infrequent:
- Face, mouth, hands swell.
- Nausea, diarrhea.
Rare:
Jaundice (yellow eyes and skin), bruising, back pain.
Warnings & Precautions
Don't take if:
- You are allergic to any ACE inhibitor or any thiazide
diuretic drug.
- You are receiving blood from a blood bank.
- If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
- If you have had a stroke.
- If you have angina, heart or blood vessel disease, a high
level of potassium in blood, lupus, gout, liver, pancreas
or kidney disorder.
- If you have any autoimmune disease, including AIDS or
lupus.
- If you are on severe salt-restricted diet.
- If you are allergic to any sulfa drug.
- If you have a bone marrow disorder.
Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and
severe than in younger persons, especially dizziness and excessive
potassium loss.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until
you finish medicine. Consult doctor for advice on maintaining
milk supply.
Infants & children:
Not recommended.
Prolonged use:
Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations
or laboratory studies to check blood pressure, ECG*, liver
function, kidney function.
Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun
or sunlamp.
Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine
affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't
climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if
you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and
reflexes, such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require
gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time.
Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.
Others:
- Hot weather and fever may cause dehydration and drop in
blood pressure. Dose may require temporary adjustment. Weigh
daily and report any unexpected weight decreases to your
doctor.
- May cause rise in uric acid, leading to gout.
- May cause blood-sugar rise in diabetics.
Possible Interaction with Other Drugs
