What is hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from
absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Propranolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and
circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol is used to treat high blood
pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this
medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or
propranolol, or if you have:
-
asthma;
-
severe or uncontrolled heart failure;
-
a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV
block" (2nd or 3rd degree); or
-
if you are unable to urinate.
Before using hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol, tell your doctor if
you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
congestive heart failure;
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease (or cirrhosis);
-
bronchospastic lung disease;
-
a thyroid disorder;
-
lupus;
-
gout;
-
diabetes; or
-
if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to
an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during
treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol 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 and propranolol?
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. Follow the directions on
your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Do not stop using hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol suddenly, or you could have a
serious or life-threatening heart problem. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal
symptoms when stopping the medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to
be checked on a regular basis, and you may need blood tests. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using propranolol can make it
harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Your insulin or diabetic medication needs
may change while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol. Talk with your doctor
before changing any doses.
Hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol can affect the results of certain thyroid tests or
vision tests for glaucoma. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medication.
If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are
using hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short
time.
Keep using hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol even if you feel fine. High blood
pressure often has no symptoms.
Store this medication in a tightly closed container at room temperature, away from
heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose of hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
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.
Where can I get more information about hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
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:
-
swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, even with mild
exertion;
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fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat;
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easy bruising or bleeding;
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numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
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feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
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nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, extreme thirst, headache,
confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);
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increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle pain or
weakness or limp feeling;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
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upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine,
clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).
Less serious side effects may include:
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diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;
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dizziness, spinning sensation;
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sore throat, body aches;
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blurred vision;
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depressed mood; or
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sleep problems (insomnia).
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell
your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
You should not use this medication if you have asthma, severe or uncontrolled heart
failure, a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block," or if you are unable to
urinate.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, kidney
or liver disease, cirrhosis, bronchospastic lung disease, gout, lupus, diabetes, a thyroid disorder,
or an allergy to sulfa drugs.
If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using propranolol can make it
harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Your insulin or diabetic medication needs
may change while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol. Talk with your doctor
before changing any doses.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and can increase your
blood levels of propranolol.
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.
Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no
symptoms.
There are many other medicines that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and
propranolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
Avoid using antacids without your doctor's advice. Use only the specific type of antacid
your doctor recommends. Antacids contain different medicines and some types can make it
harder for your body to absorb hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and can increase your
blood levels of propranolol.
Avoid using other medicines that make you light-headed (especially narcotic pain
medication or barbiturates). They can add to the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and
propranolol. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.
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.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up
slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
Many drugs can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol. Below is just a partial
list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
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chlorpromazine (Thorazine);
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cimetidine (Tagamet);
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haloperidol (Haldol);
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insulin or diabetes medicine you take by mouth;
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phenytoin (Dilantin);
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rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane);
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theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur,
Uniphyl, and others);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
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other blood pressure medications, (especially reserpine);
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a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Tiazac,
Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), verapamil (Calan,
Covera, Isoptin, Verelan), and others; or
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NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin,
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol. 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.
What happens if I have an overdose of hydrochlorothiazide and propranolol?
