What is hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine?
Hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent
your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine 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 hydralazine?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide and
hydralazine, or if you have:
Before using hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine, tell your doctor if
you have:
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kidney disease;
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liver disease;
-
angina pectoris (chest pain); or
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asthma or allergies;
-
gout;
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lupus;
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diabetes;
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an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
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if you have ever had stroke.
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely take hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine.
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.
It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine passes into breast milk
or if it could 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 hydralazine?
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.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to
be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine 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 of hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine?
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 hydralazine?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine?
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:
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dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting;
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feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
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fast or uneven heartbeat;
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muscle pain or weakness;
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confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior;
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pale skin, easy bruising;
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painful or difficult urination;
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urinating less than usual or not at all;
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swelling in your face, stomach, hands, or feet;
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numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling;
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a red, blistering, peeling skin rash;
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dark-colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
or
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joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, weakness or
tired feeling.
Less serious side effects may include:
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nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite;
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diarrhea, constipation;
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headache;
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dizziness, spinning sensation;
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blurred vision;
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muscle or joint pain; or
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mild itching or skin rash.
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 hydralazine?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydralazine (Apresoline) or
hydrochlorothiazide, or if you are unable to urinate.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease,
angina pectoris (chest pain), asthma or allergies, gout, lupus, diabetes, an allergy to sulfa drugs,
or if you have ever had a stroke.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of
hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine.
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 and
hydralazine. 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 should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of
hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine.
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 other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
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lithium;
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diazoxide (Hyperstat, Proglycem);
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digoxin (Lanoxin);
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steroids (prednisone and others);
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other blood pressure medications;
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an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan),
phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine
(Parnate);
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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 and hydralazine. 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 hydralazine?
