Spironolactone/Hydrochlorothiazide (By mouth)
spir-on-oh-LAK-tone, hye-droe-klor-oh-THYE-a-zide
Treats edema (fluid retention) and high blood pressure. This medicine contains 2 diuretics (water pills).
Drug classes
Diuretic, Potassium Sparing/Thiazide Combination (About this – PubMed Health)
Uses
Uses of This Medicine
Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide combination is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). It may also be used to treat water retention (edema) in patients with congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome.
Spironolactone helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. It can be used to prevent or treat hypokalemia (low potassium levels in the blood).
Spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide are both diuretic medicines (water pills). They reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps lower the blood pressure.
This medicine is available only with your doctor’s prescription.
Other uses (PubMed Health)
How To Use
Tablet
Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.
Missed dose: Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.
Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light.
Drugs and Foods to Avoid
Ask your doctor or pharmacist before using any other medicine, including over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products.
Some foods and medicines can affect how spironolactone/hydrochlorothiazide works. Tell your doctor if you are also using the following:
Cholestyramine, digoxin, eplerenone, lithium A blood thinner (such as dalteparin, enoxaparin, heparin) Insulin or diabetes medicine NSAID pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, diclofenac, indomethacin, naproxen) Steroid medicine (such as hydrocortisone, methylprednisolone, prednisolone, prednisone)Ask your doctor before you use any medicine, supplement, or salt substitute that contains potassium. You could have high levels of potassium in your blood that would cause serious health problems.
Alcohol, narcotic pain relievers, or sleeping pills may cause you to feel more lightheaded, dizzy, or faint when used with this medicine.
When Not To Use
This medicine is not right for everyone. Do not use it if you had an allergic reaction to spironolactone, hydrochlorothiazide, or sulfa drugs, or if you have Addison disease.
Warnings
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, liver disease, diabetes, glaucoma, gout, high cholesterol, lupus, trouble urinating, or a history of asthma or allergies.
This medicine may cause you to feel dizzy or lightheaded. Do not drive or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how this medicine affects you. Stand or sit up slowly if you are dizzy or lightheaded.
Do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor, even if you feel well. This medicine will not cure your high blood pressure, but it will help keep it in normal range. You may have to take blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. This medicine may affect certain medical test results.
Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.
Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.
Possible side effects
Summary More details
Call your doctor right away if you notice any of these side effects:
Allergic reaction: Itching or hives, swelling in your face or hands, swelling or tingling in your mouth or throat, chest tightness, trouble breathing
Blistering, peeling, or red skin rash
Confusion, weakness, uneven heartbeat, trouble breathing, numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips
Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, vomiting
Eye pain, vision changes, seeing halos around lights
Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting
Problems urinating, pain in your side or lower back
Stomach pain, vomiting blood or material that looks like coffee grounds, blood in your stools or dark stools
Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness
If you notice these less serious side effects, talk with your doctor:
Breast swelling, enlargement, pain, or tenderness
If you notice other side effects that you think are caused by this medicine, tell your doctor.
Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
More side effects of this drug
Brand names include
Aldactazide
There may be other brand names for this medicine.