Moduretic 5-50
This page contains drug information on Moduretic 5-50.
The information provided includes the following:
what is Moduretic 5-50
the possible side effects of Moduretic 5-50
what happens if you miss a dose of Moduretic 5-50
what happens if you overdose with Moduretic 5-50
the most important information about Moduretic 5-50
how to use Moduretic 5-50
other drugs that may affect Moduretic 5-50
what to avoid while using Moduretic 5-50
Generic Name: hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride (hye dro klor oh THYE a zide and a MILL oh ride)
Brand Names: Moduretic 5-50
What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
- To reduce nighttime urination, take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride before 6 p.m. and preferably in the morning.
- Take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride with food or milk to avoid stomach upset.
- Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium while taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.
These products could cause potassium levels in your blood to become dangerously high. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about any salt substitutes you are taking.
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
What is hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
- Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It decreases the amount of fluid in your body by increasing the amount of salt and water you lose in your urine.
- Amiloride a potassium sparing-diuretic. It is used to reduce the amount of fluid in the body without causing the loss of potassium.
- Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride is used to treat edema (swelling) and hypertension (high blood pressure).
- Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.
Who should not take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
- Do not take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride if you
- have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics,
- have severe kidney disease,
- have high levels of potassium in your blood (hyperkalemia), or
- are taking another diuretic that helps you retain potassium such as spironolactone (Aldactone) or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide).
- Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have
- liver disease,
- high levels of triglycerides or cholesterol (types of fat),
- kidney stones,
- gout, or
- diabetes.
- You may not be able to take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride, or you may require a lower dose or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.
- Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride is in the FDA pregnancy category B. This means that it is not expected to harm an unborn baby. Do not, however, take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.
- Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
- If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. You may require a lower dose of this medication.
How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
- Take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
- Take each dose with a full glass of water.
- You can take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride with food or milk to lessen stomach upset.
- To reduce nighttime urination, take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride in the morning after breakfast or in the evening no later than 6 p.m.
- Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride should begin working about 4 to 6 hours after you take your medication, but it may be a few weeks before you see an improvement in your condition.
- Do not stop taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride suddenly even if you feel better. Stopping suddenly could make your condition much worse.
- Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat and moisture.
What happens if I miss a dose?
- Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
- Seek emergency medical attention.
- Symptoms of a hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride overdose may include dizziness, fainting, nausea, vomiting, and an irregular heartbeat.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
- Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium while taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. These products could cause potassium levels in your blood to become very high. Ask your doctor or pharmacist about any salt substitutes you are taking.
- Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and will decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.
- Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
- Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.
- Avoid becoming overheated during exercise and in hot weather. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated while taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.
- Tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication before having surgery.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride and seek emergency medical attention:
- an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of your throat; swelling of your lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
- irregular heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, confusion, weakness, numbness, or tingling, caused by high levels of potassium in your blood;
- severe mood changes;
- muscle cramping;
- black, bloody, or tarry stools;
- easy bruising or bleeding;
- blood in your urine;
- little or no urine;
- yellowing of your skin or eyes; or
- confusion.
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride and talk to your doctor if you experience
- dizziness;
- tingling or numbness in your hands or feet;
- headache or tiredness;
- excessive urination;
- muscle weakness or cramps;
- increased hunger or thirst;
- a dry mouth;
- nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, or constipation;
- changes in weight;
- increased swelling;
- skin sensitivity to sunlight; or
- decreased sex drive.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:
- Angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors) such as benazepril (Lotensin) or captopril (Capoten) may increase potassium in your blood, which could be dangerous when you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.
- Other commonly used ACE inhibitors include enalapril (Vasotec), fosinopril (Monopril), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), quinapril (Accupril), and ramipril (Altace).
- Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Rufen, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), and naproxen (Naprosyn, Aleve, Anaprox) may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride and may increase the risk of damage to your kidneys.
- Other commonly used NSAIDs include diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), and tolmetin (Tolectin).
- Diabetes medications such as chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolbutamide (Orinase), tolazamide (Tolinase), glipizide (Glucotrol), and glyburide (Diabeta, Glynase, Micronase) may not be as effective in lowering your blood sugar levels when you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. Your diabetes therapy may have to be adjusted.
- Lithium (Lithobid, Lithane, Eskalith, others) may have increased effects when taken with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride and may cause side effects.
- Steroid medications such as hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone, Solu-Cortef), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone, Meticorten), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Depo-Medrol, A-MetaPred, Solu-Medrol, others), prednisolone (Prelone, Delta Cortef, Pediapred, others), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol), betamethasone (Celestone), corticotropin (Acthar, ACTH), and others may affect potassium levels in your blood.
- Warfarin (Coumadin) may have decreased effects when it is taken with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride.
- Allopurinol (Zyloprim), probenecid (Benemid), and sulfinpyrazone (Anturane) may have reduced effects because hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride increases levels of uric acid in your body.
- Cholestyramine (Questran) and colestipol (Colestid) may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene. Hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride should be taken at least 1 hour before or 4 hours after any dose of cholestyramine or colestipol.
- Laxatives may affect potassium levels in your body. This could interfere with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride therapy.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with hydrochlorothiazide and amiloride. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines. |
