eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide
Generic Name: eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide (EE pro sar tan and hyde droe klor oh THYE a zide)
Brand Names: Teveten HCT
What are eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide?
Eprosartan is an angiotensin II receptor inhibitor, also called angiotensin II receptor
antagonist, and is used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It increases the amount of water
and salt lost in the urine and decreases edema (swelling or fluid retention).
Together, eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide are used to treat hypertension (high blood
pressure).
Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those
listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about eprosartan and
hydrochlorothiazide?
Do not take eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide if you are pregnant or could
become pregnant during treatment. When used during the second and third trimesters of
pregnancy, eprosartan can cause injury and even death to the developing baby. Notify your
doctor immediately if you think you might be pregnant.
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you
experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also use caution when rising from a
sitting or lying position.
Stop taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide and contact your doctor if
lightheadedness or fainting occurs.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that
may occur while taking an eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide may
increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing
when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking eprosartan
and hydrochlorothiazide?
Do not take eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your doctor
if you have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics. You may have an allergic
reaction to hydrochlorothiazide.
Before taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you
-
have diabetes;
-
have gout;
-
have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus
erythematosus;
-
have pancreatitis;
-
have kidney disease;
-
have liver disease;
-
have high levels of cholesterol or triglycerides in your
blood;
-
have high levels of potassium in your blood; or
-
are taking potassium a supplement (e.g., K-Dur,
Klor-Con, others) or a potassium-sparing diuretic such as amiloride (Midamor),
triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide, Maxzide), or spironolactone (Aldactone).
You may not be able to take eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide, or
you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of
the conditions listed above.
Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide is in the FDA pregnancy category D. This
means that it is known to cause birth defects in an unborn baby. When used during the second
and third trimesters of pregnancy, eprosartan can cause injury and even death to the developing
baby. Do not take this medication if you are pregnant or could become
pregnant during treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and may be harmful to a nursing infant.
It is not known whether eprosartan passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without
first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
How should I take eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide?
Take eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do
not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.
Take each dose with a full glass of water.
Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide can be taken with or without food.
Stop taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide and contact your doctor if
lightheadedness or fainting occurs.
Do not stop taking this medication without first talking to your doctor. If you stop
taking this medication suddenly, your condition could become worse.
Store eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature away from moisture
and heat.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the
next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do
not take a double dose of this medication.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention.
Symptoms of an overdose of eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide are not well known but
may include dizziness, weakness, fainting, fatigue, low blood pressure, and changes in heart
rate.
What should I avoid while taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide?
Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous
activities. Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you
experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities. Also, use caution when rising from a
sitting or lying position.
Stop taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide and contact your doctor if
lightheadedness or fainting occurs.
Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness and dizziness that
may occur while taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt may cause the body to retain water. Talk to your
doctor before making changes in your diet.
Do not use salt substitutes or take potassium supplements without first talking to
your doctor. Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide can affect potassium levels in the body.
Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide may
increase the sensitivity of the skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing
when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.
Avoid becoming overheated in hot weather. It is easy to become dangerously dehydrated
while taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide.
Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide side effects
If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking this
medication and contact your doctor immediately or seek emergency medical treatment:
Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur.
Continue to take the medication and talk to your doctor if you experience
-
muscle pain or cramps;
-
fatigue;
-
dizziness;
-
headache; or
-
back pain.
Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to
your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.
What other drugs will affect eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide?
Before taking eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you are taking
-
a potassium supplement such as K-Dur, Klor-Con, and others;
-
a potassium-sparing diuretic (water pill) such as
amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Dyazide,
Maxzide);
-
a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID)
such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail),
diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), indomethacin (Indocin), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin
(Daypro), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others;
-
a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Orasone,
Deltasone, others), methylprednisolone (Medrol), prednisolone (Pediapred, Prelone), and
others;
-
cholestyramine (Questran, Locholest, Prevalite) or
colestipol (Colestid); or
-
lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others).
You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during
treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.
Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with eprosartan and
hydrochlorothiazide or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking
any prescription or over-the-counter medicines, including herbal products.
Where can I get more information?
-
Your pharmacist has additional information about eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide
written for health professionals that you may read.
What does my medication look like?
Eprosartan and hydrochlorothiazide is available with a prescription under the brand name
Teveten HCT. Other brand or generic formulations may also be available. Ask your pharmacist
any questions you have about this medication, especially if it is new to you.
-
Teveten HCT 600/12.5 mg-butterscotch-colored,
capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets
-
Teveten HCT 600/25 mg-brick red-colored,
capsule-shaped, film-coated tablets
-
Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share
your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.
- Every effort has been made to ensure that the information provided by Cerner Multum, Inc. ('Multum') is accurate,
up-to-date, and complete, but no guarantee is made to that effect. Drug information contained herein may be time sensitive.
Multum information has been compiled for use by healthcare practitioners and consumers in the United States and
therefore Multum does not warrant that uses outside of the United States are appropriate, unless specifically indicated
otherwise. Multum's drug information does not endorse drugs, diagnose patients or recommend therapy. Multum's drug
information is an informational resource designed to assist licensed healthcare practitioners in caring for their patients
and/or to serve consumers viewing this service as a supplement to, and not a substitute for, the expertise, skill, knowledge
and judgment of healthcare practitioners. The absence of a warning for a given drug or drug combination in no way should
be construed to indicate that the drug or drug combination is safe, effective or appropriate for any given patient. Multum
does not assume any responsibility for any aspect of healthcare administered with the aid of information Multum provides.
The information contained herein is not intended to cover all possible uses, directions, precautions, warnings, drug
interactions, allergic reactions, or adverse effects. If you have questions about the drugs you are taking, check with your
doctor, nurse or pharmacist.
Copyright 1996-2006 Cerner Multum, Inc. Version: 1.03. Revision Date: 2/13/04 4:09:36 PM.
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