Maxzide

 
What is Maxzide and why is it prescribed?
Maxzide is a combination of diuretic drugs used in the treatment of high blood pressure and other conditions that require the elimination of excess fluid from the body. When used for high blood pressure, Maxzide can be taken alone or with other high blood pressure medications. Diuretics help your body produce and eliminate more urine, which helps lower blood pressure. Triamterene, one of the ingredients of Maxzide, helps to minimize the potassium loss that can be caused by the other component, hydrochlorothiazide. If you have high blood pressure, you must take Maxzide regularly for it to be effective. Maxzide does not cure high blood pressure but it keeps it under control.

How should you take Maxzide?
Follow your doctors directions for taking Maxzide. Maxzide should be taken early in the day. To avoid upset stomach, take it with food. If you miss a dose take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the one you missed and go back to your regular schedule. Do not take two doses at the same time. Store Maxzide at room temperature, away from light.

Are there any Maxzide side effects?
Maxzide side effects cannot be anticipated. If any develop or change in intensity, inform your doctor as soon as possible. Maxzide side effects may include abdominal pain, anemia, breathing difficulty, change in potassium level (causing symptoms such as numbness, tingling, muscle weakness, slow heart rate, shock), constipation, diabetes, diarrhea, dizziness, dizziness when standing up, dry mouth, fatigue, headache, hives, impotence, irregular heartbeat, kidney stones, muscle cramps, nausea, rash, sensitivity to light, strong allergic reaction, vomiting, weakness, and yellow eyes and skin.

What are the possible food and drug interactions when taking Maxzide?
If Maxzide is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. Be sure to inform your doctor of all the prescription and over the counter medications you are taking. Maxzide should be used with caution if you are taking a type of blood pressure medication called an ACE inhibitor, such as Vasotec or Capoten. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Maxzide with Blood-thinning medications (such as Coumadin), Corticosteroids (such as Deltasone), Drugs for diabetes (such as Micronase), Gout medications (such as Zyloprim), Laxatives, Lithium (Lithonate), Methenamine (Urised), Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (such as Indocin and Dolobid), Other drugs that minimize potassium loss or contain potassium, Other high blood pressure medications (such as Minipress), Salt substitutes containing potassium, or Sodium polystyrene sulfonate (Kayexalate).

Are there any special warnings about Maxzide?
When taking Maxzide, do not use potassium-containing salt substitutes. Take potassium supplements only if specifically directed to by your doctor. Your potassium level should be checked frequently. If you are taking Maxzide and have kidney disease, your doctor should monitor your kidney function closely. If you have liver disease, cirrhosis of the liver, heart failure, or kidney stones, this medication should be used with care. Diabetics may find that Maxzide increases their blood sugar levels, altering their insulin requirements.
 

Information on this website is provided for educational purposes and should not replace discussions with your doctor.

 

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