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What do hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone tablets do?

HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE; SPIRONOLACTONE (Aldactazide®) is a diuretic combination, which is also known as a water pill. Diuretics increase the amount of urine passed, which causes the body to lose water and salt. This drug is used to treat high blood pressure or water retention and swelling caused by conditions such as heart, kidney, and liver disease. Spironolactone does not cause your body to lose potassium the way that many diuretics do. Generic hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone tablets are available.

What should I tell my health care provider before I take this medicine?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:
• diabetes mellitus
• difficulty breathing or asthma
• drink a lot of water
• gout or high blood levels of uric acid
• heart disease
• high blood levels of cholesterol
• high blood levels of potassium
• hyperparathyroidism or high blood levels of calcium
• kidney disease
• liver disease or jaundice
• low blood levels of sodium
• menstrual irregularity
• pancreatitis
• small amount of urine, or difficulty passing urine
• systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• an unusual reaction to hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, other diuretics, sulfonamides, other medicines, foods, dyes, or preservatives
• breast-feeding
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant

How should I take this medicine?

Take hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone tablets by mouth. Follow the directions on the prescription label. Swallow the tablets with a drink of water. Take this medication with food. Take your doses at regular intervals. Do not take your medicine more often than directed.

Remember that you will need to pass urine frequently after taking hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone. Do not take your doses at a time of day that will cause you problems. Do not take at bedtime.

Contact your pediatrician or health care professional regarding the use of this medicine in children. Special care may be needed.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What other medicines can interact with hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone?

• alcohol
• allopurinol
• amantadine
• amphotericin B
• antiinflammatory drugs including NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen), aspirin, or salicylates
• arsenic trioxide
• barbiturate medicines for inducing sleep or treating seizures (convulsions)
• bepridil
• caffeine; ergotamine
• calcium supplements
• cisplatin
• cyclosporine
• diazoxide
• digoxin
• dofetilide
• drospirenone; ethinyl estradiol
• ephedra, Ma huang
• eplerenone
• griseofulvin
• hawthorn
• heparin
• hormones such as cortisone, hydrocortisone, prednisone
• horse chestnut
• levomethadyl
• lithium
• medicines for asthma such as bronchodilators (inhalers such as Alupent®, Serevent®)
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for high blood pressure or heart failure (ACE inhibitors, digoxin, angiotensin II antagonists, beta-blockers, and others)
• methazolamide
• monoamine oxidase inhibitors (Azilect®, Eldepryl®, Emsam®, Marplan®, Nardil®, Parnate®, Zelapar™)
• neuromuscular blockers used during anesthesia
• potassium salts
• quinidine
• some antibiotics which increase sensitivity to sunlight (sulfonamides, tetracyclines)
• some cholesterol-lowering medications (e.g. cholestyramine or colestipol)
• some medicines for mental disorders (phenothiazines)
• some medicines for pain (e.g., codeine, Darvocet®, morphine, Percocet®)
• sotalol
• tacrolimus
• vitamin A (retinol) creams or pills such as tretinoin Retin-A®, Renova®, Solage®, and others
• warfarin
• water pills or diuretics

Tell your prescriber or health care professional about all other medicines you are taking, including non-prescription medicines, nutritional supplements, or herbal products. Also tell your prescriber or health care professional if you are a frequent user of drinks with caffeine or alcohol, if you smoke, or if you use illegal drugs. These may affect the way your medicine works. Check with your health care professional before stopping or starting any of your medicines.

What do I need to watch for while I take hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone?

Visit your prescriber or health care professional for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure regularly. Ask your prescriber or health care professional what your blood pressure should be and when you should contact him or her.

You must not get dehydrated, ask your prescriber or health care professional how much fluid you need to drink a day. Older patients may be more sensitive to the dehydrating effects of diuretics. This drug will increase the amount of urine you pass. Do not stop taking this medication except on your prescriber's advice.

Check with your prescriber or health care professional if you get severe nausea, vomiting or diarrhea.

Watch your diet while you are taking this medication. Ask your prescriber or health care professional about diet and your potassium and sodium intake. Spironolactone can make your body hold onto potassium. Too much potassium can be very harmful. Elderly patients, the severely ill, patients with diabetes, or patients with kidney problems are more likely to suffer from the effects of too much potassium. Avoid salt-substitutes and nutritional supplements that contain potassium, unless your prescriber or health care professional tells you otherwise. You may need to avoid foods that are high in potassium, such as bananas, coconuts, dates, figs, prunes, apricots, peaches, grapefruit juice, tomato juice, and orange juice.

You may get dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. To reduce the risk of dizzy or fainting spells, do not sit or stand up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. Alcohol can make you lightheaded, dizzy and increase confusion. Avoid or limit intake of alcoholic drinks.

Hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone may increase your blood sugar levels. If you have diabetes, keep a close check on your blood and urine sugar. Check with your prescriber or health care professional before you change the dose of your medicine(s) for diabetes.

Hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone may make your skin more sensitive to sun or ultraviolet light. Keep out of the sun, or wear protective clothing outdoors and use a sunscreen (at least SPF 15). Do not use sun lamps or sun tanning beds or booths.

If you are going to have surgery, tell your prescriber or health care professional that you are taking hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone.

What side effects may I notice from taking hydrochlorothiazide; spironolactone?

Side effects that you should report to your prescriber or health care professional as soon as possible:
• blood in urine
• blurred vision, change in vision
• confusion
• diarrhea
• difficulty breathing
• fainting spells
• fast or irregular heartbeat, palpitations, chest pain
• fever or chills, sore throat, cough
• muscle pain or weakness, cramps
• nausea, vomiting
• nervousness
• numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips
• pain or difficulty passing urine, reduced amount of urine passed
• redness, blistering, peeling or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth
• severe stomach pain
• skin rash, itching
• unusual bleeding or bruising, pinpoint red spots on the skin
• unusual or severe tiredeness or weakness
• yellowing of the eyes or skin
• worsened gout pain

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your prescriber or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):
• breast tenderness in females
• constipation
• decreased appetite
• dizziness or lightheadedness
• drowsiness
• dry mouth
• enlarged breasts in males
• fatigue or weakness
• headache
• increased frequency of urination
• increased sensitivity to the sun
• increased thirst
• irregular menstrual periods
• sexual difficulty, inability to have an erection
• stomach upset, pain, or cramps, indigestion

Where can I keep my medicine?

Keep out of the reach of children in a container that small children cannot open.

Store below 25 degrees C (77 degrees F). Throw away any unused medicine after the expiration date.

Important Disclaimer: The drug information provided here is for educational purposes only. It is intended to supplement, not substitute for, the diagnosis, treatment and advice of a medical professional. This drug information does not cover all possible uses, precautions, side effects and interactions. It should not be construed to indicate that this or any drug is safe for you. Consult your medical professional for guidance before using any prescription or over the counter drugs.