Pronunciation:

pol-ee-THYE-a-zide

Brand Names:

• Renese

Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Classifications:

Therapeutic

Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic

Diuretic

Chemical

Thiazide

Uses of This Medicine:

Polythiazide is used to treat fluid retention (edema) that is caused by congestive heart failure, severe liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, or from treatment with a steroid or hormone medicine.

Polythiazide is also used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if the blood pressure is controlled.

Polythiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps to lower blood pressure and remove excess fluid (edema).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Children

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of polythiazide in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Older adults

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of polythiazide in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney disease, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving polythiazide.

Breast-feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Other medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acetyldigoxin
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Bepridil
• Deslanoside
• Digitalis
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin
• Dofetilide
• Droperidol
• Flecainide
• Ketanserin
• Levomethadyl
• Lithium
• Metildigoxin
• Sotalol

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Alacepril
• Alclofenac
• Apazone
• Benazepril
• Benoxaprofen
• Bromfenac
• Bufexamac
• Captopril
• Carprofen
• Celecoxib
• Cilazapril
• Clometacin
• Clonixin
• Delapril
• Dexketoprofen
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Dipyrone
• Droxicam
• Enalaprilat
• Enalapril Maleate
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Felbinac
• Fenbufen
• Fenoprofen
• Fentiazac
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Fosinopril
• Ginkgo
• Gossypol
• Ibuprofen
• Imidapril
• Indomethacin
• Indoprofen
• Isoxicam
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Licorice
• Lisinopril
• Lornoxicam
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Moexipril
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Pentopril
• Perindopril
• Phenylbutazone
• Pirazolac
• Piroxicam
• Pirprofen
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Quinapril
• Ramipril
• Rofecoxib
• Spirapril
• Sulindac
• Suprofen
• Temocapril
• Tenidap
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Ticrynafen
• Tolmetin
• Trandolapril
• Zofenopril
• Zomepirac

Other interactions

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other medical problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anuria (not able to form urine) Should not use in patients with this condition.

• Asthma or
• Diabetes or
• Gout or
• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or
• Hypochloremia (low chloride in the blood) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
• Liver disease or
• Systemic lupus erythematosus Use with caution. This medicine may make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease Use with caution. The effects of the medicine may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

In addition to the use of this medicine, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium or potassium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many patients feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems, such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Dosing

The dose of this medicine will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of this medicine. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (tablets):
  • For fluid retention (edema):
    • Adults The usual dose is 1 to 4 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults The usual dose is 2 to 4 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

Missed dose

If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure this medicine is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: convulsions or seizures; decreased urine; drowsiness; dry mouth; excessive thirst; muscle pains or cramps; nausea or vomiting; increased heart rate or pulse; or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a condition called hypokalemia or low potassium.

This medicine may cause some people to become dizzy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.

Drinking alcoholic beverages may also make the dizziness worse. While you are taking this medicine, be careful to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

bloating

blood in urine or stools

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chest pain

chills

clay-colored stools

cold sweats

confusion

constipation

cough or hoarseness

coughing up blood

darkened urine

diarrhea

difficulty breathing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

dry mouth

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general feeling of discomfort or illness

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

increased hunger

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

irregular heartbeat

itching

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

muscle cramps or pain

nausea or vomiting

nosebleeds

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet

painful or difficult urination

pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on skin

rash

redness, soreness, or itching skin

seizures

shortness of breath

sores, welting, or blisters

sugar in the urine

swelling of feet or lower legs

swollen or painful glands

tenderness of salivary glands

tightness in chest

trembling

troubled breathing

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight loss

vomiting of blood

weakness and heaviness of legs

wheezing

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Cramping

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

hair loss, thinning of hair

increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight

muscle spasm

pinpoint red or purple spots on skin

redness or other discoloration of skin

restlessness

sensation of spinning

severe sunburn

weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.