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.

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

BEFORE USING Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide :

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

• 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
• if you have low blood sodium, chloride, potassium, or magnesium levels; or high blood calcium/Phoslo levels

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

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

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

HOW TO USE Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide :

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

• If you miss a dose of Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide , 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.
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide may be taken with or without food.
• When you first start taking Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide , 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 Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide .

DO NOT USE Microzide/Hydrochlorothiazide IF:

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

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

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.

IMPORTANT SAFETY INFORMATION:

• 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.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant, discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide during pregnancy. Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide .
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide .
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide . Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide may cause dizziness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide . Using Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or to perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide 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.
• Use Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• 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.
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide is not recommended for use in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Microzide 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.
• 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.

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.