Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide IS USED FOR:

Treating excess fluid buildup in the body caused by certain conditions or medicines. It may also be used to treat high blood pressure or other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. It works by helping the kidneys eliminate fluid from your body. Exactly how Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide works to treat high blood pressure is unknown.

POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS OF Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide :

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:

Blurred vision; diarrhea; dizziness; drowsiness; inability to keep an erection; lightheadedness especially when sitting up or standing; loss of appetite; nausea; rash or itching; redness of the skin; uncontrolled muscle movement.

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

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); confusion; decrease in amount of urine; drowsiness; gout; inflammation of the pancreas; muscle pain or cramps; rapid or irregular heartbeat; restlessness; seizures; unusual thirst; unusual tiredness or weakness; unusually dry mouth; vomiting.

DO NOT USE Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide IF:

• you are unable to urinate
• you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin
• you are allergic to any ingredient in Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide or to any other sulfonamide medicine (eg sulfamethoxazole, glyburide, Diamox/acetazolamide)

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

BEFORE USING Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide :

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

• if you have low blood sodium, chloride, potassium, or magnesium levels; or high blood Phoslo/calcium levels
• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you have gout, liver problems, lupus, kidney problems, diabetes, asthma, parathyroid problems, or high blood cholesterol or lipid levels
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement

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

• Cholestyramine, colestipol, or nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs) (eg, Motrin/ibuprofen) because they decrease the effectiveness of Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Diazoxide or nondepolarizing muscle relaxants (eg, tubocurarine) because side effects may be increased by Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Lithotabs/Lithium because risk of toxicity may be increased by Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Lanoxin/Digoxin, dofetilide, or ketanserin because risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased by Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Diabetes medicines (eg, Glucotrol xl/glipizide, Glucophage/metformin), insulin, or pressor amines (eg, norepinephrine) because the effectiveness may be decreased by Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), corticosteroids (eg, Sterapred/prednisone), narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine, morphine, fentanyl), or medicines for high blood pressure because side effects of Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide 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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide.
• Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide. Using Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel quite "normal." Contact your doctor or pharmacist about any new symptoms.
• LAB TESTS, including kidney function, blood pressure, and blood electrolyte levels, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy. Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide.
• Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide. Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide may cause high blood sugar (eg, thirst, increased urination, confusion, drowsiness, flushing, rapid breathing, or fruity breath odor). If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor immediately.
• Your doctor may have also prescribed a potassium supplement for you. If so, follow the dosing carefully. Do not start taking additional potassium on your own or change your diet to include more potassium without first checking with your doctor.

HOW TO USE Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide :

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

• Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide may be taken with or without food.
• If you miss a dose of Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide , 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.
• When you first start taking Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide , it may cause an increase in urine or in frequency of urination. To prevent this from affecting sleep, try not to take any dose later than 6 pm.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide.

What is the shelf life of the pills?

• The expiry date is mentioned on each blister. It is different for different batches. The shelf life is 2 years from the date of manufacture and would differ from batch to batch depending on when they were manufactured.