MICROZIDE

Generic Name: Hydrochlorothiazide (hy dro klor o THY a zide)
Brand Names: Carozide, Diaqua, Esidrix, Ezide, Hydro Par, HydroDIURIL, Loqua, Microzide, Oretic

What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide?
Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate, or if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, allergies, gout, or diabetes.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
There are many other medicines that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

What is hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Hydrochlorothiazide treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders, or edema caused by taking steroids or estrogen. This medication is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking hydrochlorothiazide?
Do not use this medication if you:
are unable to urinate; or
if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs.
Before using hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have:
kidney disease;
liver disease;
asthma or allergies;
gout; or
diabetes.
If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use hydrochlorothiazide, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take hydrochlorothiazide?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. It is important that you not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.

What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Symptoms of a hydrochlorothiazide overdose may include nausea, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, and muscle pain or weakness.

What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid using other medicines that make you light-headed (narcotic pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures). They can add to the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:
dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting;
feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
fast or uneven heartbeat;
muscle pain or weakness;
numbness or tingly feeling;
a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or
nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Continue using hydrochlorothiazide and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:
diarrhea;
stomach pain;
constipation; or
blurred vision.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
lithium;
digoxin (Lanoxin);
cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) or colestipol (Colestid);
steroids (prednisone and others);
other blood pressure medications;
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others; or
insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth.
If you are using any of these drugs, you may not be able to use hydrochlorothiazide, or you may need dosage adjustments or special tests during treatment.
There may be other drugs not listed that can affect hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.