RESERPINE, HYDRALAZINE & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE

Brand & Generic Names

Cam-Ap-Es
Cherapas
Ser-A-Gen
Seralazide
Ser-Ap-Es
Serpazide
Tri-Hydroserpine
Unipres

Basic Information

• Habit forming? No
• Prescription needed? Yes
• Available as generic? Yes
• Drug class: Antihypertensive

Uses

• Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
• Reduces fluid retention (edema).

Dosage & Usage Information

How to take:
Tablet--Swallow with liquid. If you can't swallow whole, crumble tablet and take with liquid or food.

When to take:
At the same times each day.

If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 2 hours late. If more than 2 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).

What drug does:
Interferes with nerve impulses and relaxes blood vessel muscles, reducing blood pressure.
Suppresses brain centers that control emotions.
Forces sodium and water excretion, reducing body fluid. Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.

Time lapse before drug works:
Regular use for several weeks may be necessary to determine drug's effectiveness.

Don't take with:
Non-prescription drugs containing alcohol without consulting doctor.
Any other medicine without consulting your doctor or pharmacist.

Overdose

SYMPTOMS:
Drowsiness; slow, shallow breathing; pinpoint pupils; diarrhea; flush; low body temperature; rapid, weak heartbeat; fainting; extreme weakness; cold, sweaty skin; cramps, coma.

WHAT TO DO:

• Dial 911 (emergency) or O (operator) for an ambulance or medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
• See EMERGENCY Information.

Possible Adverse Reactions or Side Effects

Life-threatening:

Rapid or irregular heart- Discontinue. Seek beat, weak pulse, fainting, emergency treatment. black stool, black or bloody vomit, chest pain.

Common:

• Nausea, vomiting.
• Headache, diarrhea, drowsiness, runny nose, appetite loss.

Infrequent:

• Blurred vision, chest pain, abdominal pain, rash, hives, joint pain.
• Dizziness; mood change; headache; dry mouth; weakness; tiredness; weight gain or loss; eyes red, watery, irritated; confusion; constipation; red or flushed face; joint stiffness; depression; anxiety; foot and leg swelling.

Rare:

• Jaundice; unexplained bleeding or bruising; sore throat, fever, mouth sores; weakness and faintness when arising from bed or chair.
• Numbness, tingling, burning feeling in feet and hands; nasal congestion; impotence; nightmares.

Warnings & Precautions

Don't take if:

• You are allergic to any rauwolfia alkaloid, hydralazine, any thiazide diuretic drug*, or tartrazine dye.
• You are depressed.
• You have active peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, history of coronary-artery disease or rheumatic heart disease.

Before you start, consult your doctor:

• If you have been depressed.
• If you have had peptic ulcer, ulcerative colitis, gallstones, kidney disease or impaired kidney function, lupus or a stroke.
• If you have epilepsy, gout, liver, pancreas or kidney disorder.
• If you feel pain in chest, neck or arms on physical exertion.
• If you are allergic to any sulfa drug*.
• If you will have surgery within 2 months, including dental surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.

Over age 60:
Adverse reactions and side effects may be more frequent and severe than in younger persons, especially dizziness and excessive potassium loss.

Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.

Breast-feeding:
Drug passes into milk. Avoid drug or discontinue nursing until you finish medicine.

Infants & children:
Not recommended.

Prolonged use:

• Causes cancer in laboratory animals. Consult your doctor if you have family or personal history of cancer.
• Possible psychosis.
• May cause lupus; numbness, tingling in hands or feet.
• Talk to your doctor about the need for follow-up medical examinations or laboratory studies.

Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or sunlamp.

Driving, piloting or hazardous work:
Don't drive or pilot aircraft until you learn how medicine affects you. Don't work around dangerous machinery. Don't climb ladders or work in high places. Danger increases if you drink alcohol or take medicine affecting alertness and reflexes.

Discontinuing:
Don't discontinue without consulting doctor. Dose may require gradual reduction if you have taken drug for a long time. Doses of other drugs may also require adjustment.

Others:

• Consult your doctor if you do isometric exercises. These raise blood pressure. Drug may intensify blood pressure rise.
• Vitamin B-6 supplement may be advisable. Consult doctor.
• Hot weather and fever may cause dehydration and drop in blood pressure. Dose may require temporary adjustment. Weigh daily and report any unexpected weight decreases to your doctor.
• May cause rise in uric acid, leading to gout.
• May cause blood-sugar rise in diabetics.
• Some products contain tartrazine dye. Avoid, especially if you are allergic to aspirin.

Possible Interaction with Other Drugs

GENERIC NAME	COMBINED EFFECT
------------------------	-----------------------
Acebutolol	Possible increased effects of
	drugs.
Allopurinol	Decreased allopurinol effect.
Amphetamines*	Decreased hydralazine effect.
Anticoagulants*,	Unpredictable increased or decreased
oral	effect of anticoagulant.
Anticonvulsants*	Serious change in seizure pattern.
Antidepressants,	Dangerous drop in
tricyclic (TCA)*	blood pressure. Avoid combination
	unless under medical supervision.
Antihistamines*	Increased antihistamine effect.
Antihypertensives*,	Increased antihypertensive
other	effect.
Aspirin	Decreased aspirin effect.
Barbiturates*	Increased hydrochlorothiazide
	effect.
Beta-adrenergic	Increased effect of rauwolfia
blockers*	alkaloids. Excessive
	sedation.
Carteolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Cholestyramine	Decreased hydrochlorothiazide
	effect.
Cortisone drugs*	Excessive potassium loss that
	causes dangerous heart rhythms.
Diazoxide	Increased antihypertensive effect.
Digitalis	Excessive potassium
preparations*	loss that causes dangerous heart
	rhythms.
Diuretics*, oral	Increased effects of drugs. When
	monitored carefully, combination
	may be beneficial in controlling
	hypertension.
Dronabinol	Increased effects of drugs.
Indapamide	Increased diuretic effect.
Levodopa	Decreased levodopa effect.
Lisinopril	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosage of each may require
	adjustment.
Lithium	Increased lithium effect.
MAO inhibitors*	Increased effects of both drugs.
	Severe depression.
Mind-altering drugs*	Excessive sedation.
Nicardipine	Blood pressure drop. Dosages may
	require adjustment.
Nimodipine	Dangerous blood pressure drop.
Nitrates*	Excessive blood pressure drop.
Non-steroidal	Decreased hydralazine
anti-inflammatory	effect.
Oxprenolol	Increased antihypertensive effect.
	Dosages of drug may require
	adjustments.
Pergolide	Decreased pergolide effect.
Potassium	Decreased potassium effect.
Probenecid	Decreased probenecid effect.
Sotalol	Decreased antihypertensive effect.
Terazosin	Decreases effectiveness of
	terazosin.

Possible Interaction with Other Substances

INTERACTS WITH	COMBINED EFFECT
---------------	---------------
Alcohol:	Increased intoxication. Avoid.
Carbonated drinks.	Decreased rauwolfia alkaloids
	effect.
Cocaine:	Dangerous blood pressure rise.
	Avoid.
Spicy foods.	Possible digestive upset.
Licorice.	Excessive potassium loss that
	causes dangerous heart rhythms.
Marijuana:	Weakness on standing. May increase
	blood pressure. Occasional
	use--Mild drowsiness. Daily
	use--Moderate drowsiness, low blood
	pressure, depression.
Tobacco:	Possible angina attacks.