What is hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from
absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Metoprolol 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 metoprolol is used to treat high blood
pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol 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 metoprolol?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or
metoprolol, or if you have:
-
severe or uncontrolled heart failure;
-
a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV
block" (2nd or 3rd degree);
-
severe blood circulation problems;
-
an adrenal gland tumor (pheochromocytoma);
-
if you are unable to urinate;
-
if you are allergic to any beta-blocker medication, such as
atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard),
propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.
Before using hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol, tell your doctor if
you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
-
congestive heart failure;
-
kidney disease;
-
liver disease (or cirrhosis);
-
asthma or bronchospasm;
-
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 metoprolol 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 metoprolol?
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.
Take the medicine with a meal or right after you eat.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from
this medication.
Do not stop using hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol 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 metoprolol 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 metoprolol. Talk with your doctor
before changing any doses.
Hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol can affect the results of certain thyroid tests. 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 metoprolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short
time.
Keep taking this medication 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, moisture, and light.
What happens if I miss a dose of hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol?
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 metoprolol?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol?
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;
-
fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat;
-
easy bruising or bleeding;
-
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;
-
fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering,
peeling, and red skin rash; or
-
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; or
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ringing in your ears.
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 metoprolol?
You should not use this medication if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure, a
heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block," severe blood circulation problems,
an adrenal gland tumor, an allergy to beta-blockers, 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, asthma or bronchospasm, gout, lupus, diabetes, a thyroid disorder, or if
you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using metoprolol 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 metoprolol. Talk with your doctor
before changing any doses.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and may add to the side
effects of hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol.
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 taking 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
metoprolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you
use.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and may add to the side
effects of hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol.
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
metoprolol. 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.
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions.
Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol?
Many drugs can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol. Below is just a partial
list. Tell your doctor if you are using:
-
insulin or diabetes medicine you take by mouth;
-
colestipol (Colestid) or cholestyramine (Prevalite,
Questran);
-
theophylline (Elixophyllin, Respbid, Slo-Bid, Theo-Dur,
Uniphyl, and others);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
-
HIV or AIDS medicine such as ritonavir (Norvir);
-
an antidepressant such as bupropion (Wellbutrin, Zyban),
fluoxetine (Prozac), or paroxetine (Paxil);
-
an antibiotic such as rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate,
Rimactane) or terbinafine (Lamisil);
-
anti-malaria medication such as hydroxychloroquine
(Plaquenil);
-
medicine to treat psychiatric or mood disorders, such as
chlorpromazine (Thorazine), haloperidol (Haldol), lithium (Lithobid), or thioridazine (Mellaril);
-
NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as
aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin,
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others; or
-
other heart or blood pressure medications such as clonidine
(Catapres), propafenone (Rythmol), quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G) reserpine, or
verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact
with hydrochlorothiazide and metoprolol. 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 metoprolol?
