ENALAPRIL & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE |
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ENALAPRIL & HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
BRAND & GENERIC NAMES
Vaseretic
BASIC INFORMATION
Habit forming? No
Prescription needed? Yes
Available as generic? No
Drug class: Antihypertensive, diuretic, ACE inhibitor (see
Drugs Glossary)
USES
Treatment for high blood pressure and congestive heart failure.
Reduces fluid retention.
DOSAGE & USAGE INFORMATION
How to take:
Tablet -- Swallow with liquid. These tablets are long-acting. Food
does not alter normal absorption from the gastrointestinal
tract.
When to take:
Usually once a day.
If you forget a dose:
Take as soon as you remember up to 18 hours late. If more than
18 hours, wait for next scheduled dose (don't double this dose).
What drug does:
Forces sodium and water excretion, reducing body fluid.
Relaxes muscle cells of small arteries.
Reduced body fluid and relaxed arteries lower blood pressure.
Reduces resistance in arteries.
Strengthens heartbeat.
Time lapse before drug works:
4 to 6 hours. May require several weeks to lower blood pressure.
Don't take with:
Any other medicines, even over-the-counter drugs such as cough
and cold medicines, nose drops, diet pills, laxatives or
caffeine, without consulting your doctor.
OVERDOSE
SYMPTOMS:
Cramps, weakness, drowsiness, weak pulse, fever, chills, sore
throat, fainting, convulsions, coma.
WHAT TO DO:
Dial 0 (operator) or 911 (emergency) for an ambulance or
medical help. Then give first aid immediately.
See EMERGENCY INFORMATION.
POSSIBLE ADVERSE REACTIONS OR SIDE EFFECTS
SYMPTOMS WHAT TO DO
Life-threatening:
Irregular heartbeat Discontinue. Seek
(fast or uneven); emergency treatment.
difficulty breathing;
hives, rash, intense
itching, faintness soon
after a dose (anaphylaxis).
Common:
Dry mouth, thirst, Discontinue. Call
tiredness, weakness, doctor right away.
muscle cramps,
vomiting, chest pain,
skin rash, coughing.
Taste loss, Continue. Call doctor
dizziness. when convenient.
Infrequent:
Face, mouth, Discontinue. Call
hands swelling. doctor right away.
Nausea, diarrhea. Continue. Call doctor when
convenient.
Rare:
None expected.
WARNINGS & PRECAUTIONS
Don't take if:
You are allergic to enalapril, captopril, or any thiazide
diuretic drug.
You have any autoimmune disease, including AIDS or lupus.
You are receiving blood from a blood bank.
You take drugs for cancer.
You will have surgery within 2 months, including dental
surgery, requiring general or spinal anesthesia.
Before you start, consult your doctor:
If you have had a stroke.
If you have angina, heart or blood-vessel disease, a high level
of potassium in blood, lupus, gout, liver, pancreas or kidney
disorder.
If you are on a severe salt-restricted diet.
If you are allergic to any sulfa drug.
Pregnancy:
Risk to unborn child outweighs drug benefits. Don't use.
Infants & children:
Don't give to infants or young children unless prescribed and
monitored by your physician.
Prolonged use:
May decrease white cells in blood or cause protein loss in
urine. Request periodic laboratory blood counts and urine tests.
Skin & sunlight:
May cause rash or intensify sunburn in areas exposed to sun or
sunlamp.
Driving or hazardous activities:
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,
such as antihistamines, tranquilizers, sedatives,
pain medicine, narcotics and mind-altering drugs.
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:
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.
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER DRUGS
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| Allopurinol |
Decreased allopurinol effect. |
| Amiloride |
Possible excessive potassium in |
| |
blood. |
| Antidepressants, |
Dangerous drop in |
| tricyclic (TCA, |
blood pressure. Avoid |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
combination unless under medical |
| |
supervision. |
| Antihypertensives |
| (other, see Drugs |
Increased antihypertensive |
| Glossary) |
effect. Dosage of each may |
| |
require adjustment. |
| Barbiturates |
Increased hydrochlorothiazide |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Beta-adrenergic |
Increased antihypertensive |
| blockers (see |
effect. Dosages |
| Drugs Glossary) |
of both drugs may require |
| |
adjustments. |
| Chloramphenicol |
Possible blood disorders. |
| Cholestyramine |
Decreased hydrochlorothiazide |
| |
effect. |
| Cortisone drugs |
Excessive potassium loss that |
| |
causes dangerous heart rhythms. |
| Digitalis |
Excessive potassium |
| preparations |
loss that causes dangerous |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
heart rhythms. |
| Diuretics (thiazide, |
Increased effect of |
| see Drugs Glossary) |
other thiazide diuretics. |
| Indapamide |
Increased diuretic effect. |
| Lithium |
Increased effect of lithium. |
| MAO inhibitors |
Increased hydrochlorothiazide |
| (see Drugs Glossary) |
effect. |
| Nitrates |
Excessive blood-pressure drop. |
| Non-steroidal |
Decreased enalapril |
| anti-inflammatory |
effect. |
| drugs (NSAIDs, see |
| Drugs Glossary) |
| Potassium |
Possible increased |
| supplements (see |
potassium in blood. |
| Drugs Glossary) |
| Probenecid |
Decreased probenecid effect. |
| Spironolactone |
Possible excessive potassium in |
| |
blood. |
| Triamterene |
Possible excessive potassium in |
| |
blood. |
POSSIBLE INTERACTION WITH OTHER SUBSTANCES
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| Tobacco: |
May decrease enalapril effect. |
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