DrugindexOnline^{2nd edition}

Generic Name: Hydrochlorothiazide/Spironolactone (hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide/spear-on-oh-LAK-tone)
Brand Name: Aldactazide

Aldactazide can increase potassium levels in your body. This is more likely to occur in elderly patients, patients who are severely ill, or patients with kidney problems and diabetes. If not treated, high potassium levels can be fatal. Potassium levels must be closely monitored in people with any of these problems or illnesses. Lab tests will be required so be sure to keep appointments. If you develop muscle weakness or an unusual heart beat, notify your doctor immediately. Spironolactone, an ingredient in Aldactazide , has been shown to cause tumors in rats when given to them over a long period of time. Aldactazide should be used only when necessary to treat the conditions for which it is indicated.

Aldactazide is used for:

Treating swelling in patients who have congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or certain kidney problems (eg, nephrotic syndrome) and when other treatments are not effective or appropriate. It is also used to treat high blood pressure in patients for whom other treatments are not effective or appropriate.

Aldactazide is a diuretic (water pill) and is a combination of a potassium-sparing diuretic (spironolactone) and a thiazide diuretic (hydrochlorothiazide). It works by making the kidneys eliminate sodium (salt) and water from the body, which helps to lower blood pressure. The spironolactone component helps minimize potassium loss.

Do NOT use Aldactazide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Aldactazide or any other sulfonamide (eg, sulfamethoxazole)
• you are unable to urinate, have severely decreased kidney function, severe liver problems, or high blood potassium
• you are taking another potassium-sparing diuretic (eg, triamterene), a potassium supplement, a salt substitute containing potassium, or dofetilide

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Aldactazide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Aldactazide . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have cirrhosis or liver problems, diabetes, gout, kidney problems or kidney stones, asthma, heart problems, menstrual problems, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE or lupus)
• if you have elevated blood acid, low folic acid levels, or electrolyte problems, or are dehydrated

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aldactazide . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, triamterene), potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containing potassium because high blood potassium levels may occur and cause listlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs, heaviness of limbs, slowed heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, or stopping of the heart
• Cholestyramine or colestipol because they may decrease Aldactazide 's effectiveness
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because the they may decrease Aldactazide 's effectiveness and the risk of kidney problems may be increased
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), certain chemotherapy medicines, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), digoxin, dofetilide, ketanserin, narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine), or medicines for high blood pressure because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Aldactazide
• Diazoxide, lithium, or nondepolarizing neuromuscular blockers (eg, pancuronium) because their actions and side effects may be increased by Aldactazide
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril) because the risk of high blood potassium and kidney problems may be increased by Aldactazide
• Diabetes medicines (eg, glipizide) or insulin because their effectiveness may be decreased by Aldactazide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Aldactazide may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Aldactazide :

Use Aldactazide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Aldactazide by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Aldactazide may increase the amount of urine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start taking it. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dose before 6 pm.
• If you miss a dose of Aldactazide , take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, restart the medication and advise your doctor or pharmacist at your next appointment.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aldactazide .

Important safety information:

• Aldactazide may cause dizziness. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Aldactazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Aldactazide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.
• Aldactazide may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Aldactazide . Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Aldactazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.
• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Diabetes patients - Aldactazide may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function, kidney function, lung function, blood pressure, blood electrolytes, and fasting blood glucose, may be performed while you use Aldactazide . These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Aldactazide should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is not known if Aldactazide can cause harm to the fetus. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefits and risks of using Aldactazide while you are pregnant. Aldactazide is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aldactazide .

Possible side effects of Aldactazide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in blood sugar; constipation; dizziness; fatigue; headache; inflammation of a salivary gland; loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivity to sunlight; stomach pain; weakness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); breast enlargement; dry mouth; excessive thirst; impotence; leg or muscle cramps; mental confusion; rapid, weak, or irregular heartbeat; stomach pain; urination problems; vomiting; yellowing of skin or eyes.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include excessive urination; flushed face; lightheadedness especially upon standing; nausea; vomiting; weakness.

Proper storage of Aldactazide :

Store Aldactazide at room temperature, below 77 degrees F (25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Aldactazide out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Aldactazide , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Aldactazide is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Aldactazide . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.