Oretic

Who is Oretic for ?

Hydrochlorothiazide, a "water pill," is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by various conditions, including heart disease. This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Hydrochlorothiazide also may be used to treat patients with diabetes insipidus and certain electrolyte disturbances and to prevent kidney stones in patients with high levels of calcium in their blood. Talk to your doctor about the possible risks of using this medicine for your condition.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic, or a “water pill.” It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. Hydrochlorothiazide may also relax the muscles in blood vessel walls, making blood flow more easily.

When should I be careful taking Oretic ?

Before taking hydrochlorothiazide,

• tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs.
• tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially other medicines for high blood pressure, anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin) or naproxen (Aleve), corticosteroids (e.g., prednisone), lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for diabetes, probenecid (Benemid), and vitamins. If you also are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it at least 1 hour after hydrochlorothiazide.
• tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney, liver, thyroid, or parathyroid disease.
• tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding. If you become pregnant while taking hydrochlorothiazide, call your doctor immediately.
• if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking hydrochlorothiazide.
• you should know that this drug may make you drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.
• remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug.
• plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Hydrochlorothiazide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Side Effects

Frequent urination should go away after you take hydrochlorothiazide for a few weeks. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• muscle weakness
• dizziness
• cramps
• thirst
• stomach pain
• upset stomach
• vomiting
• diarrhea
• loss of appetite
• headache
• hair loss

If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

• sore throat with fever
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• severe skin rash with peeling skin
• difficulty breathing or swallowing