Generic Xipamid

Chemical Name: XIPAMIDE

Common uses

It is a thiazide diuretic. Thiazide diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium from the blood.

Before using

Warning: it is recommended that blood tests are performed regularly to monitor the level of potassium in the blood. If this level is too low, potassium supplements may be required.

As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.

Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking. Inform your doctor of any other medical conditions, allergies, pregnancy, or breast-feeding.

Directions

Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor.

Store this medicine at room temperature in a tightly-closed container, away from heat and light. If you miss a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Cautions

Use with caution in diabetes, diarrhoea, elderly people, enlarged prostate gland (prostatic hypertrophy), gout, kidney disease, liver cirrhosis, malnutrition, overproduction of aldosterone, a steroid hormone which regulates salt and water balance (hyperaldosteronism), pregnancy, severe thickening of arterial walls (arteriosclerosis), vomiting.

Use of this medicine is not recommended if you have breastfeeding, liver cirrhosis that is causing the patient to become unconscious(precomatose state), severe kidney disease, severely low concentrations of salts in the blood (severe electrolyte depletion), untreated disease state in which there is inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (Addison's disease).

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.

If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.

Possible side effects

The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine: low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia), disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain, high blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia), high blood uric acid level (hyperuricaemia) which can cause kidney problems and gout, dizziness, low blood sodium level (hyponatraemia).

If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.

When taken together with other medicines which can cause hypokalaemia e.g. corticosteroids, carbenoxolone or beta-agonist bronchodilators such as salbutamol, there may be an increased risk of developing hypokalaemia. Potassium supplements may be required.

If used with other diuretics, the fluid and salt (electrolyte) balance in the body should be monitored. When taken together with medicines that decrease blood pressure there is an increased risk of a large drop in blood pressure. Xipamide reduces the ability of the body to remove the medicine lithium. As this can give rise to adverse effects, this medicine should not be taken with lithium. This medicine may raise blood glucose levels and therefore reduce the effectiveness of antidiabetic medicines. Dose adjustments of the antidiabetic may be required.

If you take too much

If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately.

Additional information

If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor. Do not share this medicine with others for whom it was not prescribed. Do not use this medicine for other health conditions. Keep this medicine out of the reach of children. If using this medicine for an extended period of time, obtain refills before your supply runs out.

Drug interactions

Drug interactions can result in unwanted side effects or prevent a medicine from doing its job. Some medicines or medical conditions may interact with this medicine. Inform your doctor or pharmacist of all prescription and over-the-counter medicine that you are taking.