otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. If you experience dizziness,avoid these activities otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.

What is hydrochlorothiazide?
• Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. It decreasesthe amount of fluid in your body by increasing the amount of salt and wateryou lose in your urine otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is used to lower blood pressure and to decrease edema(swelling) otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listedin this medication guide otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. You mayhave an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• You may need a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapyif you have any of the conditions listed above otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide is in the FDA pregnancy category B otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. This means thatit is not expected to harm an unborn baby otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide withoutfirst talking to your doctor if you are pregnant otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor if youare breast-feeding a baby otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.

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

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

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

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide?
• Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardousactivities otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. If you experience dizziness,avoid these activities otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Use alcohol cautiously otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Alcohol may increase the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid a diet high in salt otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Too much salt may cause your body to retainwater and may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide may increasethe sensitivity of your skin to sunlight otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Use a sunscreen and wear protectiveclothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather and during exercise otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. It is easierto become dangerously dehydrated while taking hydrochlorothiazide otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Side effects other than those listed here may also occur otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Talk to yourdoctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome otc alternative 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 otc alternative 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 otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Some medicines used to treatthese conditions may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and the effects on yourheart may be increased otc alternative 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 otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking,and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.
• Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydrochlorothiazideor affect your condition otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking anyprescription or over-the-counter medicines otc alternative hydrochlorothiazide.

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

Copyright 2005 D-S LTD.
All Rights Reserved.