candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide?
• To reduce nighttime urination, take hydrochlorothiazide early in theday unless otherwise directed by your doctor candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. If you experience dizziness,avoid these activities candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

What is hydrochlorothiazide?
• Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. It decreasesthe amount of fluid in your body by increasing the amount of salt and wateryou lose in your urine candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is used to lower blood pressure and to decrease edema(swelling) candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

Who should not take hydrochlorothiazide?
• Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctorif you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. You mayhave an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Before taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have
· diabetes,
· gout,
· a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus,
· pancreatitis,
· kidney disease,
· liver disease, or
· high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides (types of fat) in yourblood candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapyif you have any of the conditions listed above candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is in the FDA pregnancy category B candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. This means thatit is not expected to harm an unborn baby candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if youare breast-feeding a baby candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

How should I take hydrochlorothiazide?
• Take hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. If you donot understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explainthem to you candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Take each dose with a full glass of water candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• To reduce nighttime urination, take hydrochlorothiazide early in theday unless otherwise directed by your doctor candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Do not stop taking hydrochlorothiazide suddenly even if you feel better candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Stopping suddenly could make your condition worse candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

What happens if I miss a dose?
• Take the missed dose as soon as you remember candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. However, if it is almosttime for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularlyscheduled dose candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Do not take a double dose of this medication candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

What happens if I overdose?
• Seek emergency medical attention candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Symptoms of a hydrochlorothiazide overdose include increased urination,nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, lethargy, and unconsciousness candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. If you experience dizziness,avoid these activities candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Use alcohol cautiously candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Alcohol may increase the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid a diet high in salt candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Too much salt may cause your body to retainwater and may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. It is easierto become dangerously dehydrated while taking hydrochlorothiazide candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?
• If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop takinghydrochlorothiazide and seek emergency medical attention:
· an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat;swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
· unusual fatigue;
· abnormal bleeding or bruising;
· yellow skin or eyes;
· confusion;
· irregular heartbeats or a fluttering feeling in your chest; or
· little or no urine candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Continue totake hydrochlorothiazide and talk to your doctor if you experience
· dizziness, especially when you switch to sitting or standing from alying position;
· tingling or numbness in your arms, legs, hands, or feet;
· excessive urination;
· muscle weakness or cramps;
· increased hunger or thirst;
· nausea or decreased appetite;
· abdominal pain;
· sensitivity to sunlight; or
· impotence candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide?
• Before taking hydrochlorothiazide tell your doctor if you are takingany of the following medications:
· lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);
· digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);
· the cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol(Colestid);
· a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin,Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis, OrudisKT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac(Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac(Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), fenoprofen (Nalfon), ketorolac (Toradol), orflurbiprofen (Ansaid);
· a diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase,Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide(Orinase), and others; or
· a steroid medicine such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron,Hexadrol), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone),prednisolone (Delta Cortef, Prelone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• You may not be able to take hydrochlorothiazide, or you may require adosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you are taking anyof the medications listed above candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Also, before taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you aretaking any other medicine to treat high blood pressure, water retention, heartproblems, prostate problems, or another condition candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Some medicines used to treatthese conditions may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and the effects on yourheart may be increased candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the effects of other drugs that causedrowsiness, including sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, seizuremedicines, antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, anxiety medicines, andmuscle relaxants candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking,and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydrochlorothiazideor affect your condition candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

Where can I get more information?
• Your pharmacist has additional information about hydrochlorothiazidewritten for health professionals that you may read candesartan cilexetil plus hydrochlorothiazide.

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