Brand Names:

• Aquacot
• Aquatensen
• Aquazide H
• Diuril
• Diuril Sodium
• Enduron
• Hydrocot
• Microzide
• Naqua
• Naturetin-5
• Renese
• Zide

Dosage Forms:

• Tablet
• Capsule
• Suspension
• Solution

Uses of This Medicine:

Thiazide or thiazide-like diuretics are commonly used 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 blood pressure is controlled.

Thiazide diuretics are also used to help reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. They may also be used for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Thiazide diuretics are available only with your doctor's prescription.

Once a medicine has been approved for marketing for a certain use, experience may show that it is also useful for other medical problems. Although these uses are not specifically included in product labeling, thiazide diuretics are used in certain patients with the following medical conditions:

• Diabetes insipidus (water diabetes)
• Kidney stones (calcium-containing)

For patients taking this medicine for diabetes insipidus (water diabetes):

• Some thiazide diuretics are used in the treatment of diabetes insipidus (water diabetes). In patients with water diabetes, this medicine causes a decrease in the flow of urine and helps the body hold water. Thus, the information given about increased urine flow will not apply to you.

Before Using This Medicine:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to medicines in this group 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

Although there is no specific information comparing the use of thiazide diuretics in children with use in other age groups, these medicines are not expected to cause different side effects or problems in children than they do in adults. However, extra caution may be necessary in infants with jaundice, because these medicines can make the condition worse.

Older adults

Dizziness or lightheadedness and signs of too much potassium loss may be more likely to occur in the elderly, who are more sensitive than younger adults to the effects of thiazide diuretics.

Pregnancy

When this medicine is used during pregnancy, it may cause side effects including jaundice, blood problems, and low potassium in the newborn infant. In addition, although this medicine has not been shown to cause birth defects or other problems in animals, studies have not been done in humans.

In general, diuretics are not useful for normal swelling of feet and hands that occurs during pregnancy. They should not be taken during pregnancy unless recommended by your doctor.

Breast-feeding

Thiazide diuretics pass into breast milk. These medicines also may decrease the flow of breast milk. Therefore, you should avoid use of thiazide diuretics during the first month of breast-feeding.

Other medicines

Using medicines in this class with any of the following medicines is not recommended. Your doctor may decide not to treat you with a medication in this class or change some of the other medicines you take.

• Dofetilide

Using medicines in this class 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
• Ouabain
• Proscillaridin
• Sotalol

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 medicines in this class. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Type 2 diabetes mellitus Thiazide diuretics may increase the amount of sugar in the blood.

• Gout (history of) or
• Lupus erythematosus (history of) or
• Pancreatitis (inflammation of the pancreas) Thiazide diuretics may make these conditions worse.

• Heart or blood vessel disease Thiazide diuretics may cause high cholesterol levels or high triglyceride levels.

• Liver disease or
• Kidney disease (severe) Higher blood levels of the thiazide diuretic may occur, which may prevent the thiazide diuretic from working properly.

Proper Use of This Medicine:

This medicine may cause you to have an unusual feeling of tiredness when you begin to take it. You may also notice an increase in the amount of urine or in your frequency of urination. After you have taken the medicine for a while, these effects should lessen. In general, to keep the increase in urine from affecting your sleep:

• If you are to take a single dose a day, take it in the morning after breakfast.
• If you are to take more than one dose a day, take the last dose no later than 6 p.m., unless otherwise directed by your doctor.

However, it is best to plan your dose or doses according to a schedule that will least affect your personal activities and sleep. Ask your health care professional to help you plan the best time to take this medicine.

Take each dose at the same time each day. This medicine works best if there is a constant amount in the blood.

For patients taking this medicine for high blood pressure:

• In addition to the use of the medicine your doctor has prescribed, appropriate treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and care in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium. Your doctor will tell you which factors 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 may 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.
• Remember that this medicine will not cure your high blood pressure but it does help control it. Therefore, 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.

For patients taking the oral liquid form of hydrochlorothiazide, which comes in a dropper bottle:

• This medicine is to be taken by mouth. The amount you should take is to be measured only with the specially marked dropper.

Dosing

The dose medicines in this class 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 these medicines. 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 form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults At first, 2.5 to 10 milligrams (mg) one or two times a day. Then, your doctor may lower your dose to 2.5 to 5 mg once a day. Or your doctor may want you to take this dose once every other day or once a day for only three to five days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 50 to 100 micrograms (mcg) per kilogram (kg) (22.7 to 45.4 mcg per pound) of body weight once a day.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 2.5 to 20 mg a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two doses.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor. The usual dose is 50 to 400 mcg per kg (22.7 to 181.8 mcg per pound) of body weight a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two doses.

• For oral dosage forms (oral suspension or tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 250 milligrams (mg) every six to twelve hours.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 250 to 1000 mg a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into smaller doses.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
• For injection dosage form:
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 250 mg injected into a vein every six to twelve hours.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 500 to 1000 mg a day, injected into a vein. This dose may be given as a single dose or divided into two doses.
    • Children Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 25 to 100 milligrams (mg) once a day. Or 100 to 200 mg taken once every other day or once a day for three days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 25 to 100 mg once a day.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage forms (oral solution or tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 25 to 100 milligrams (mg) one or two times a day. Or your doctor may want you to take this dose once every other day or once a day for three to five days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 25 to 100 mg a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two doses.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 25 to 100 milligrams (mg) one or two times a day. Or your doctor may want you to take this dose once every other day or once a day for three to five days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 50 to 100 mg a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two doses.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 2.5 to 10 milligrams (mg) once a day. Or your doctor may want you to take this dose once every other day or once a day for three to five days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 2.5 to 5 mg once a day.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

• For long-acting oral dosage form (extended metolazone tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 5 to 20 milligrams (mg) once a day.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults Adults 2.5 to 5 mg once a day.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your doctor.
• For regular (short-acting) oral dosage form (prompt metolazone tablets):
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults At first, 500 micrograms (mcg) once a day. Then, 500 to 1000 mcg once a day.
    • Children Dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body:
    • Adults 1 to 4 milligrams (mg) once a day. Or your doctor may want you to take this dose once every other day or once a day for three to five days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 2 to 4 mg once a day.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body or for high blood pressure:
    • Adults 50 to 200 milligrams (mg) a day. This may be taken as a single dose or divided into two doses
    • Children Dose must be determined by your doctor.

• For oral dosage form (tablets):
  • To lower the amount of water in the body or for high blood pressure:
    • Adults 1 to 4 milligrams (mg) once a day. Or your doctor may want you to take this dose once every other day or once a day for three to five days out of the week.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and must be determined by your doctor.
  • For high blood pressure:
    • Adults 2 to 4 mg once a day.
    • Children Dose is based on body weight and 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

Keep out of the reach of children.

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

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

It is important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure that this medicine is working properly.

This medicine may cause a loss of potassium from your body:

• To help prevent this, your doctor may want you to:
  • eat or drink foods that have a high potassium content (for example, orange or other citrus fruit juices), or
  • take a potassium supplement, or
  • take another medicine to help prevent the loss of the potassium in the first place.
• It is very important to follow these directions. Also, it is important not to change your diet on your own. This is more important if you are already on a special diet (as for diabetes), or if you are taking a potassium supplement or a medicine to reduce potassium loss. Extra potassium may not be necessary and, in some cases, too much potassium could be harmful.

Check with your doctor if you become sick and have severe or continuing vomiting or diarrhea. These problems may cause you to lose additional water and potassium.

For diabetic patients:

• Thiazide diuretics may raise blood sugar levels. While you are using this medicine, be especially careful in testing for sugar in your blood or urine.

Thiazide diuretics may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this medicine:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Also, wear sunglasses.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor (SPF) of at least 15. Some patients may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your doctor.

For patients taking this medicine for high blood pressure:

• Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This especially includes over-the-counter (nonprescription) medicines for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems, since they may tend to increase your blood pressure.

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 as soon as possible if any of the following side effects occur:

Rare

Black, tarry stools

blood in urine or stools

cough or hoarseness

fever or chills

joint pain

lower back or side pain

painful or difficult urination

pinpoint red spots on skin

skin rash or hives

stomach pain (severe) with nausea and vomiting

unusual bleeding or bruising

yellow eyes or skin

Signs and symptoms of too much potassium loss

Dryness of mouth

increased thirst

irregular heartbeat

mood or mental changes

muscle cramps or pain

nausea or vomiting

unusual tiredness or weakness

weak pulse

Signs and symptoms of too much sodium loss

Confusion

convulsions

decreased mental activity

irritability

muscle cramps

unusual tiredness or weakness

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:

Less common

Decreased sexual ability

diarrhea

dizziness or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight

loss of appetite

upset stomach

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