What is Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
ydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Hydralazine is a vasodilator that works by relaxing the muscles in your blood vessels to help them dilate (widen). This lowers blood pressure and allows blood to flow more easily through your veins and arteries.
The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydralazine (Apresoline) or hydrochlorothiazide, or if you have coronary artery disease, rheumatic heart disease affecting the mitral valve, or if you are unable to urinate.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, angina pectoris (chest pain), asthma or allergies, gout, lupus, diabetes, an allergy to sulfa drugs, or if you have ever had a stroke.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
There are many other medicines that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydralazine (Apresoline) or hydrochlorothiazide, or if you have:
- coronary artery disease
- rheumatic heart disease affecting the mitral valve; or
- if you are unable to urinate
If you have any of these other conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- angina pectoris (chest pain)
- asthma or allergies
- gout
- lupus
- diabetes
- an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
- if you have ever had stroke
FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine is harmful to an unborn baby. Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine passes into breast milk or if it could harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Apresazide Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting
- feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed
- fast or uneven heartbeat
- muscle pain or weakness
- confusion, unusual thoughts or behavior
- pale skin, easy bruising
- painful or difficult urination
- urinating less than usual or not at all
- swelling in your face, stomach, hands, or feet
- numbness, burning, pain, or tingly feeling
- a red, blistering, peeling skin rash
- dark-colored urine, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
- joint pain or swelling with fever, chest pain, weakness or tired feeling
Less serious side effects may include:
- loss of appetite, diarrhea, constipation
- headache
- dizziness, spinning sensation
- blurred vision
- muscle or joint pain; or
- mild itching or skin rash
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Apresazide Interactions
What other drugs affect Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- lithium (Eskalith, LithoBid)
- diazoxide (Hyperstat, Proglycem)
- digoxin (Lanoxin)
- steroids (prednisone and others)
- other blood pressure medications
- an MAO inhibitor such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), rasagiline (Azilect), selegiline (Eldepryl, Emsam), or tranylcypromine (Parnate)
- aspirin or other NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin (Indocin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), meloxicam (Mobic), piroxicam (Feldene), and others
- insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and hydralazine.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Apresazide Dosage
How should I take Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store this medicine at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I overdose on Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include headache, thirst, fast heart rate, nausea, vomiting, weakness, dizziness, feeling like you might pass out, leg pain, numbness or tingling, and urinating less than usual or not at all.
What happens if I miss a dose of Apresazide (Hydr Alazine Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Edited from everydayhealth.com