What is hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from
absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that also prevents your body from absorbing too
much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone is used to treat fluid retention
(edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called
nephrotic syndrome. This medication also treats high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone 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 spironolactone?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or spironolactone, or if
you have:
-
kidney disease or are unable to urinate;
-
high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or
-
if you are taking potassium supplements.
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment
or special tests to safely use this medication:
-
diabetes;
-
heart disease;
-
cirrhosis or other liver disease;
-
a breathing disorder;
-
gout;
-
lupus;
-
an allergy to sulfa drugs;
-
a pancreas disorder; or
-
if you are using another blood pressure medication or a
steroid.
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether
hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell
your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and could cause harm to 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 spironolactone?
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.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a
regular basis. Your kidney or liver function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled
appointments.
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 need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are taking
hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.
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 spironolactone?
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 spironolactone?
Your pharmacist has information about hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone written for health professionals that you may read.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone?
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:
-
numbness or tingly feeling;
-
muscle pain or weakness;
-
slow, fast, or uneven heartbeat;
-
feeling drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
-
urinating less than usual or not at all;
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shallow breathing;
-
tremors, confusion; 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:
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mild nausea or vomiting;
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dizziness, headache;
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gas, stomach pain; or
-
skin rash.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your
doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at
1-800-FDA-1088. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone?
Do not use this medication if you have kidney disease, urination problems, or high levels of
potassium in your blood. Do not use potassium supplements while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide
and spironolactone.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart or liver disease, diabetes, a
breathing disorder, gout, lupus, an allergy to sulfa drugs, or a pancreas disorder. Tell your doctor if you
use a steroid or another blood pressure medicine.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide
and spironolactone.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this
medication less effective.
Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These
products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide
and spironolactone.
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.
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 should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide
and spironolactone.
Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These
products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide
and spironolactone.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this
medication less effective.
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.
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 spironolactone?
Cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers,
and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety can add to light-headedness caused by
hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or
any other blood pressure medications.
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
-
lithium;
-
digoxin (Lanoxin);
-
steroids (prednisone and others);
-
a blood thinner such as warfarin (Coumadin);
-
insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth;
-
an ACE inhibitor such as benazepril (Lotensin), captopril
(Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), ramipril (Altace), and others; or
-
indomethacin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren),
naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and
others.
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with
hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone. 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 spironolactone?
