Uniretic Medication - Uses & Side Effects

MOEXIPRIL-HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE (Uniretic®) is a combination of two drugs used to lower blood pressure. Moexipril is an ACE inhibitor that controls high blood pressure (hypertension) by relaxing blood vessels. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic. High blood pressure can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. By lowering blood pressure, moexipril-hydrochlorothiazide can help reduce your risk of having damage to your kidneys, heart, or other organs. This medicine does not cure high blood pressure.

Uniretic Dosage

• Dosages of Uniretic are always tailored to the individual's response. The doctor will probably start with a relatively low dosage, then after 2 or 3 weeks adjust it upward if necessary. In general, the daily dose of moexipril should not exceed 30 milligrams. For hydrochlorothiazide, the maximum is 50 milligrams a day.

Uses of Uniretic

• This medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
• Uniretic may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Side Effects of Uniretic

Side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Only your doctor can determine if it is safe for you to continue taking Uniretic. Side effects may include:

• Abdominal pain
• back pain
• bronchitis
• chest pain
• cough
• diarrhea
• dizziness
• fatigue
• fever
• flu symptoms
• headache
• impotence
• increased blood sugar
• indigestion
• infection
• inflammation of the nasal passages
• pain
• rash
• sinus inflammation
• sore throat
• swelling

Warnings and precautions before taking Uniretic:

• If you have poor kidneys, use Uniretic with caution. For people with severe kidney disease, Uniretic is not recommended at all. Your doctor should test your kidney function at the start of treatment, and continue to monitor it as long as you take the drug.
• Uniretic can cause light-headedness, especially during the first few days of treatment. If you faint, stop taking Uniretic and call your doctor immediately.
• Uniretic can cause a severe drop in blood pressure if you lose too much liquid through excessive sweating, severe diarrhea, or vomiting. Contact your doctor immediately if you develop one of these problems.
• Low blood pressure is especially dangerous if you have congestive heart failure or other heart conditions. Your doctor should monitor your pressure with extra care if that's the case.
• This drug should be used with caution if you are on dialysis. There have been reports of extreme allergic reactions during dialysis in people taking ACE inhibitors such as the one in Uniretic. A severe reaction is also more likely if you've ever had desensitization treatments with bee or wasp venom.
• If you have liver disease or a disease of connective tissue called lupus erythematosus, Uniretic should be used with caution. Tell your doctor immediately if you notice a yellowish color to your skin or the whites of your eyes.
• While taking Uniretic, do not use potassium supplements, salt substitutes that contain potassium, or diuretics that leave potassium levels high (such as Dyrenium and Moduretic) unless your doctor recommends it.
• This drug can cause serious fetal harm (sometimes death) if used during the last six months of pregnancy. If pregnancy occurs, stop using this drug and immediately contact your physician.

Drug Interaction :- If Uniretic is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Uniretic with the following:

• ACTH
• Alcohol
• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital or Seconal
• Cholestyramine (Questran)
• Colestipol (Colestid)
• Diabetes medications such as glyburide and insulin
• Guanabenz (Wytensin)
• Lithium (Lithobid, Lithonate)
• Narcotics such as Percocet
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory painkillers such as ibuprofen and Naprosyn
• Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Dyrenium or Moduretic
• Potassium supplements such as Slow K
• Propantheline (Pro-Banthine)
• Salt substitutes containing potassium
• Steroid medications such as prednisone (Deltasone)

Overdose

Any medication taken in excess can have serious consequences. If you suspect an overdose, seek medical attention immediately. Symptoms of Uniretic overdose are likely to include:

• Low blood pressure
• dehydration (loss of body fluids)
• low levels of sodium
• potassium
• chloride