Avalide

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Prescription Drug Information, Side Effects & Interactions for Avalide

Uses
This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). This product may also be used to help prevent diabetic kidney problems.

Notes

Laboratory tests will be done periodically to check your progress.
Learn to monitor your pulse and blood pressure.
Talk to your health care professional about this.
Do not share this medication with others.

Storage

Store at room temperature below 86 degrees F (30 degrees C) away from light and moisture.

Avalide www.

How To Use

Take this medication by mouth as prescribed, usually once or twice a day.
It may be taken with or without food.
Your dosage depends on your medical condition and response to the drug.
Be sure to follow the dosing instructions closely.
Do not increase your dose, skip any doses or stop taking this without first consulting your doctor.
It is important to continue taking this medication even if you do not feel sick.
Many people with high blood pressure do not have any symptoms.
The full benefit of this drugs usually occurs within 4 weeks.
Before using potassium supplements or salt substitutes, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Side Effects

Nausea or vomiting, dry mouth, headache, fatigue or diarrhea may occur.
If these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor promptly.
Report promptly lightheadedness or dizziness or muscle weakness or cramping.
Unlikely but report promptly stomach pain, unusual change in amount of urine (after the first several days), unusual thirst, fainting or mental/mood changes.
Very unlikely but report promptly persistent sore throat or cough, fever, unusual bleeding or bruising, yellowing eyes or skin, chest pain or rapid heartbeat or joint pain.
In the unlikely event you have an allergic reaction to this product, seek immediate medical attention.
Symptoms of an allergic reaction include rash, itching, swelling, dizziness or trouble breathing.
If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

Precautions

Tell your doctor your medical history, especially of kidney, heart or liver disease; diabetes, gout, high cholesterol or lipids (triglycerides), lupus or metabolic problems (e.g., potassium or sodium imbalances) and of any allergies you may have (especially to sulfa drugs).
Use caution performing tasks requiring alertness if this medication makes you dizzy.
To avoid dizziness and lightheadedness when rising from a seated or lying position, get up slowly.
Also, limit your intake of alcoholic beverages which can intensify these effects.
Excessive loss of body fluids (e.g., sweating or diarrhea) can cause a drop in blood pressure and make you lightheaded.
Avoid excessive exercise.
Consult your doctor or pharmacist.
Hydrochlorothiazide may increase sensitivity to sunlight.
Avoid prolonged sun exposure.
If you become sun sensitive, use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors.
Caution is advised when this product is used in the elderly since this group may be more sensitive to drug side effects.
This product should be used only when clearly needed during the first 3 months of pregnancy and is not recommended for use during the last 6 months.
Consult your doctor.
The hydrochlorothiazide in this combination drug passes into breast milk.
Though there are no reports (to date) of harm to nursing infants, consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose, use it as soon as you remember.
If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule.
Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up.

Drug Interactions

Tell your doctor of all prescription and nonprescription medications you may use, especially potassium supplements (including salt substitutes with potassium), other blood pressure drugs, lithium, barbiturates (e.g., phenobarbital), drugs used for diabetes, colestipol, cholestyramine, NSAIDs (e.g., ibuprofen, naproxen, aspirin), ACTH, corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), drugs that cause kidney problem such as gentamicin or amphotericin and of any allergy/cough-and-cold products (e.g., pseudoephedrine).
Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.