bisoprolol-hydrochlorothiazide

This combination medication is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

This product contains two medications. Bisoprolol is a beta blocker that works by blocking the effect of certain natural chemicals (e.g., epinephrine) on the heart and blood vessels. This slows your heartbeat, lowers blood pressure, and reduces strain on the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide is a "water pill" (diuretic) that works by increasing the amount of urine that you make. This causes your body to get rid of extra salt and water, which probably helps to relax the blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily. These two drugs are used together when one medication is not controlling your blood pressure. Using these two drugs together can also reduce the amount of each drug you must take, thereby decreasing the chances of side effects.

See also Warning section.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily as directed by your doctor.

The dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

It is best to avoid taking this medication within 4 hours of your bedtime to avoid having to get up to urinate. Consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have questions about your dosing schedule.

If you are also taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take bisoprolol/hydrochlorothiazide at least 4 hours before or at least 4 to 6 hours after either of those drugs.

Use this medication regularly in order to get the most benefit from it. To help you remember, take it at the same time each day. Keep taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel sick. It may take up to 3 weeks before you get the full benefit of this drug.

Inform your doctor if your condition worsens (e.g., your routine blood pressure readings increase).

See also Precautions section.

Dizziness, lightheadedness, tiredness, and drowsiness may occur as your body adjusts to the medication. Nausea, stomach upset, diarrhea, cough, constipation and trouble sleeping may also occur. If any of these effects persist or worsen, notify your doctor or pharmacist promptly.

To lower your risk of dizziness and lightheadedness, get up slowly when rising from a sitting or lying position.

This product may reduce blood flow to your hands and feet, causing them to feel cold. Smoking may worsen this effect. Dress warmly and avoid tobacco use.

Remember that your doctor has prescribed this medication because he or she has judged that the benefit to you is greater than the risk of side effects. Many people using this medication do not have serious side effects.

The hydrochlorothiazide in this product may cause too much body water and salts to be lost (dehydration). Tell your doctor right away if you have any of these unlikely but serious symptoms of dehydration: very dry mouth, extreme thirst, muscle cramps/weakness, fast heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, seizures.

Tell your doctor right away if any of these unlikely but serious side effects occur: very slow/irregular heartbeat, swelling of the ankles/feet, sudden/unexplained weight gain, loss of feeling/tingling in the fingers/toes, hair loss, decrease in vision, eye pain, mental/mood changes, decreased sexual ability/interest, muscle/joint pain, persistent nausea/vomiting, yellowing eyes/skin, severe stomach/abdominal pain, dark urine, nervousness, shaking, confusion, easy bruising/bleeding, signs of infection (e.g., fever, persistent sore throat), signs of kidney problems (such as change in the amount of urine).

Seek immediate medical attention if this rare but very serious side effect occurs: trouble breathing.

A very serious allergic reaction to this drug is rare. However, seek immediate medical attention if you notice any of the following symptoms of a serious allergic reaction: rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, trouble breathing.

This is not a complete list of possible side effects. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

In the US - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 or at www.fda.gov/medwatch.

In Canada - Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to Health Canada at 1-866-234-2345.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are allergic to bisoprolol or hydrochlorothiazide; or to other beta blockers (e.g., metoprolol, atenolol); or to other thiazide diuretics (e.g., chlorothiazide); or if you have any other allergies. This product may contain inactive ingredients, which can cause allergic reactions or other problems. Talk to your pharmacist for more details.

This medication should not be used if you have certain medical conditions. Before using this medicine, consult your doctor or pharmacist if you have: certain types of heart rhythm problems (e.g., sinus bradycardia, second- or third-degree atrioventricular block), certain serious heart conditions (cardiogenic shock, severe heart failure), inability to urinate (anuria).

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist your medical history, especially of: kidney disease, liver disease, heart failure (treated, stable type), lung disease (e.g., asthma, bronchitis, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease-COPD), overactive thyroid (hyperthyroidism), diabetes, gout, untreated salt imbalance (e.g., high calcium, low potassium/magnesium), loss of too much body water (dehydration), blood circulation problems (e.g., peripheral vascular disease), certain muscle diseases (e.g., myasthenia gravis), lupus, recent nerve surgery (e.g., sympathectomy), skin cancer.

Before having surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medication.

This drug may make you dizzy or drowsy. Alcohol or marijuana (cannabis) can make you more dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs alertness until you can do it safely. Limit alcoholic beverages. Talk to your doctor if you are using marijuana (cannabis).

Drink plenty of fluids while taking this medication to help prevent dizziness. Too much sweating, diarrhea, or vomiting may cause you to feel lightheaded. Avoid heavy exercise and hot weather. Report prolonged diarrhea or vomiting to your doctor.

If you have diabetes, this product may mask the fast/pounding heartbeat you would usually feel when your blood sugar falls too low (hypoglycemia). Other symptoms of low blood sugar, such as dizziness/sweating, are unaffected by this drug. This product also may make it harder to control your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed and share the results with your doctor. Tell your doctor right away if you have symptoms of high blood sugar such as increased thirst/urination. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.

This medication may reduce the potassium levels in your blood. Ask your doctor about adding potassium to your diet. A potassium supplement may be prescribed by your doctor.

This medication may make you more sensitive to the sun. It may also increase your risk for skin cancer, especially if you take it for a long time. Limit your time in the sun. Avoid tanning booths and sunlamps. Use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when outdoors. Tell your doctor right away if you get sunburned, have skin blisters/redness, or notice new or changed moles/skin lesions.

Kidney function declines as you grow older. This medication is removed by the kidneys. Therefore, elderly people may be at greater risk for side effects while using this drug.

During pregnancy, this medication should be used only when clearly needed. It may harm an unborn baby. Discuss the risks and benefits with your doctor.

This drug passes into breast milk and could have undesirable effects on a nursing infant. Consult your doctor before breast-feeding.

Store at room temperature between 59-86 degrees F (15-30 degrees C) away from light and moisture. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medications down the toilet or pour them into a drain unless instructed to do so. Properly discard this product when it is expired or no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company for more details about how to safely discard your product.

Your doctor or pharmacist may already be aware of any possible drug interactions and may be monitoring you for them. Do not start, stop, or change the dosage of any medicine before checking with them first.

This drug should not be used with the following medications because very serious interactions may occur: arbutamine, cisapride, dofetilide.

If you are currently using any of these medications listed above, tell your doctor or pharmacist before starting this medication.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and nonprescription/herbal products you may use, especially of: alpha blockers (e.g., prazosin, terazosin), diazoxide, digoxin, drugs that affect heart rhythm (e.g., disopyramide), epinephrine, fenoldopam, fingolimod, lithium, other drugs for high blood pressure (e.g., clonidine), probenecid, rifamycins (e.g., rifampin), St John's wort.

Some products have ingredients that could raise your blood pressure. Tell your pharmacist what products you are using, and ask how to use them safely (especially cough-and-cold products, diet aids, or NSAIDs such as ibuprofen/naproxen).

This product can affect the results of certain lab tests (e.g., parathyroid, protein-bound iodide, tyramine and phentolamine tests). Make sure laboratory personnel and all your doctors know you use this drug.

This document does not contain all possible interactions. Therefore, before using this product, tell your doctor or pharmacist of all the products you use. Keep a list of all your medications with you, and share the list with your doctor and pharmacist.

If someone has overdosed and has serious symptoms such as passing out or trouble breathing, call 911. Otherwise, call a poison control center right away. US residents can call their local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. Canada residents can call a provincial poison control center. Symptoms of overdose may include: very slow heartbeat, severe dizziness, fainting, severe weakness, trouble breathing.

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is near the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose. Take your next dose at the regular time. Do not double the dose to catch up.

Do not share this medication with others.

Talk with your doctor about making changes to your lifestyle that may increase the effectiveness of this medication (e.g., stress reduction programs, exercise, and dietary changes).

Laboratory and/or medical tests (e.g., electrolyte levels, liver function tests, complete blood counts) should be performed regularly to monitor your progress or check for side effects. Consult your doctor for more details.

Have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your own blood pressure at home, and share the results with your doctor.