Drug Title

Esidrix (Hydrochlorothiazide)

Common use

Esidrix is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps to prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention. The fluid retention can occur in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders, or edema caused by taking estrogens o steroids. Also the medicine is used for treating high blood pressure (hypertension).

Dosage and directions

Take Esidrix exactly as it was directed by your doctor. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated. If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.

Contraindications

Do not use the medicine if you have allergy to hydrochlorothiazide or if you are unable to urinate. Before using Esidrix, tell your doctor if you have liver or kidney disease, asthma or allergies, gout, diabetes or if you have allergy to sulfa drugs. Avoid drinking alcohol and becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise in hot weather.

Drug interaction

Before taking Esidrix tell your doctor if you are using lithium, steroids (prendisone), digoxin (Lanoxin), cholestyramine (Questran, Prevalite) or colestipol (Colestid), other blood pressure medications, insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth, NSAIDs such as apirin, ibuprofen, diclofenac, indometacin, naproxen, piroxicam, nabumetone, etodolac and others.

Missed dose

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Overdose

Seek urgent medical attention if you think you have overdosed this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, and muscle pain or weakness.

Storage

Store at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.

Precautions

Before taking Esidrix discuss with your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, gout, allergies or asthma, diabetes or allergy to sulfa drugs.

Possible side effects

Seek urgent medical help if you fell these sever side effects: allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using the medicine if you have signs of the following severe side effects: dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting; feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed; fast or uneven heartbeat; muscle pain or weakness; numbness or tingly feeling; a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects are: mild stomach pain, diarrhea, constipation or blurred vision.