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. Overdose symptoms 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 (such as cold medicine, pain
medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to
the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these
medicines, or any other blood pressure medications.
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 a serious side
effect such as:
-
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).
Less serious side effects may include:
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect.
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.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs 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.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide.
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children,
never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
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