Type of medicine: diuretic
Generic and brand names: spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide, oral; Aldactazide
This medicine is a combination of 2 kinds of diuretics taken by mouth to control high blood pressure or to remove excess water from your body. It may be used alone or with other medicines.
Before taking this medicine, tell your healthcare provider if you have ever had:
Tell your healthcare provider if you are taking potassium supplements or using other diuretics.
Females of childbearing age: Talk with your healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. It is not known whether this medicine will harm an unborn baby. Do not breast-feed while taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval.
If you are taking this medicine to control your blood pressure, take it regularly as your healthcare provider prescribes. Do not stop taking this medicine without your healthcare provider's approval. Check the label on the medicine for directions about your specific dose.
This medicine may increase how much and how often you urinate. Take the last dose of the day before 6 PM to avoid interrupting your sleep at night.
You may take this medicine with or without food. Taking it with food or milk may lessen the chance the drug will upset your stomach.
If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember unless it is almost time for the next scheduled dose. In that case, skip the missed dose and take the next one as directed. Do not take double doses. If you are not sure of what to do if you miss a dose, or if you miss more than one dose, contact your healthcare provider.
If you or anyone else has intentionally taken too much of this medicine, call 911 or go to the emergency room right away. If you pass out, have seizures, weakness or confusion, or have trouble breathing, call 911. If you think that you or anyone else may have taken too much of this medicine, call the poison control center. Do this even if there are no signs of discomfort or poisoning. The poison control center number is 800-222-1222.
Symptoms of an acute overdose may include: dizziness, drowsiness, weakness, dry mouth, lightheadedness, slow heartbeat, fainting, increased urination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, confusion.
This medicine may cause the potassium level in your blood to get too high. People with diabetes, kidney disease, or other medical conditions are at higher risk. Talk with your healthcare provider about whether you should follow a special diet. Do not use salt substitutes containing potassium, take supplements that contain potassium, or eat foods high in potassium without your healthcare provider's approval.
You will need to have lab tests regularly to see how this medicine affects you. Keep all appointments for these tests.
This medicine has caused tumors in laboratory animals. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
This medicine may cause eye problems that could lead to vision loss. Contact your healthcare provider right away if you have eye pain or a decrease in vision.
This medicine may increase your risk of dehydration. Be careful when exercising, especially in hot weather. Contact your healthcare provider if you develop severe vomiting or diarrhea while you are taking this medicine.
This medicine may make your skin sensitive to the sun, which may lead to painful sunburns. While you are taking this medicine, avoid long exposure to the sun and sunlamps. Wear protective clothing, a hat, and sunscreen lotion when you need to be outdoors. Do not use a sunlamp. If you get a severe sunburn, contact your healthcare provider right away.
If you develop hives, an itchy rash, or peeling skin, stop taking the medicine and contact your provider right away.
This medicine may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive or operate machinery unless you are fully alert.
You may feel dizzy or faint when you get up quickly after sitting or lying down. Getting up slowly may help. Drinking alcohol while you are taking this medicine may cause your blood pressure to drop too low. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Adults over the age of 65 may be at greater risk for side effects. Talk with your healthcare provider about this.
If you need emergency care, surgery, lab tests, or dental work, tell the healthcare provider or dentist you are taking this medicine.
Diabetics: This medicine may affect your blood sugar level and change the amount of insulin or other diabetes medicines you may need. Talk to your healthcare provider about this.
Along with its needed effects, your medicine may cause some unwanted side effects. Some side effects may be very serious. Some side effects may go away as your body adjusts to the medicine. Tell your healthcare provider if you have any side effects that continue or get worse.
Life-threatening (Report these to your healthcare provider right away. If you cannot reach your healthcare provider right away, get emergency medical care or call 911 for help): Allergic reaction (hives; itching; severe rash; trouble breathing; tightness in your chest; swelling of your lips, tongue, and throat).
Serious (report these to your healthcare provider right away): Severe stomach pain or diarrhea; severe nausea or vomiting; severe skin rash, redness, blisters, or peeling; severe itching; shortness of breath; eye pain; decrease or changes in vision; numbness or tingling in hands, feet, or lips; sore throat; fever; cough; muscle weakness or cramps; severe tiredness; unusual restlessness or confusion; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; unusual bleeding or bruising; decreased or trouble urinating; very dry mouth or thirst; yellowish eyes or skin; severe dizziness or fainting; seizures.
Other: Constipation, headache, tiredness, dizziness, stomach upset, loss of appetite, mild nausea, mild diarrhea, enlarged or painful breasts, irregular menstrual periods, change in sexual desire or ability, sensitivity to sun.
When you take this medicine with other medicines, it can change the way this or any of the other medicines work. Nonprescription medicines, vitamins, natural remedies, and certain foods may also interact. Using these products together might cause harmful side effects. Talk to your healthcare provider if you are taking:
Do not drink alcohol while you are taking this medicine unless your healthcare provider approves.
If you are not sure if your medicines might interact, ask your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Keep a list of all your medicines with you. List all the prescription medicines, nonprescription medicines, supplements, natural remedies, and vitamins that you take. Be sure that you tell all healthcare providers who treat you about all the products you are taking.
Store this medicine at room temperature. Keep the container tightly closed. Protect it from heat, high humidity, and bright light.
This advisory includes selected information only and may not include all side effects of this medicine or interactions with other medicines. Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist for more information or if you have any questions.
Ask your pharmacist for the best way to dispose of outdated medicine or medicine you have not used. Do not throw medicine in the trash.
Keep all medicines out of the reach of children.
Do not share medicines with other people.
