hydrochlorothiazide and timolol

	What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	What is hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	What should I discuss with my doctor before taking hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	How should I take hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	What happens if I miss a dose?
	What happens if I overdose?
	What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide and timolol?
	Where can I get more information?
	Audio articles:
	English
	Español

You should not use this medication if you have a history of asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), severe or uncontrolled heart failure, a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block," an allergy to sulfa drugs, or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have congestive heart failure, kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis, bronchospastic lung disease, gout, lupus, diabetes, a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis, a history of stroke, a thyroid disorder, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs..

If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using timolol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Your insulin or diabetic medication needs may change while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. Talk with your doctor before changing any doses.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and may add to the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and timolol.

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.

Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

There are many other medicines that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Timolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and timolol is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and timolol may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or timolol, or if you have:

• a history of asthma or severe chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD);
• severe or uncontrolled heart failure;
• a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree); or
• if you are unable to urinate.

Before using hydrochlorothiazide and timolol, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• congestive heart failure;
• kidney disease;
• liver disease (or cirrhosis);
• bronchospastic lung disease;
• a thyroid disorder;
• a muscle disorder such as myasthenia gravis;
• a history of stroke;
• lupus;
• gout;
• diabetes; or
• if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

FDA pregnancy category C. This medication may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.

Hydrochlorothiazide and timolol can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

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.

Take the medicine with a meal or right after you eat.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Do not stop using hydrochlorothiazide and timolol suddenly, or you could have a serious or life-threatening heart problem. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis, and you may need blood tests. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.

If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using timolol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Your insulin or diabetic medication needs may change while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. Talk with your doctor before changing any doses.

Hydrochlorothiazide and timolol can affect the results of certain thyroid tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medication.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Keep using hydrochlorothiazide and timolol even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store this medication in a tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light.

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.

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heart rate, dizziness, ringing in your ears, or feeling like you might pass out.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and may add to the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and timolol.

Avoid using other medicines that make you light-headed (especially narcotic pain medication or barbiturates). They can add to the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.

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.

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.

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.

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 any of these serious side effects:

• swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, or pain in one or both legs;
• numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;
• feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;
• nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, extreme thirst, headache, confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);
• increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle pain or weakness or limp feeling;
• urinating less than usual or not at all;
• fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; or
• upper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

• diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;
• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• depressed mood; or
• blurred vision.

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Many drugs can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:

• insulin or diabetes medicine you take by mouth;
• colestipol (Colestid) or cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);
• steroids (prednisone and others);
• lithium (Lithobid);
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others;
• other heart or blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Catapres), digoxin (digitalis, Lanoxin), quinidine (Quinidex, Quin-Release Quin-G), or reserpine; or
• a calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), isradipine (Dynacirc), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide and timolol. 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.

Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide and timolol.