Generic Zestoretic

Zestoretic is often generically substituted with hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril. These medications in combination are commonly used in the treatment of hypertension. The hydrochlorothiazide is member of the family of medications known as thiazide diuretics, which in turn prevents the body from absorbing an unhealthy amount of water. Lisinopril is an angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor, also known as an Ace inhibitor.

Patients should be made aware that this medication may initially or perpetually cause an impaired reaction response time. All patients should refrain from driving or operating machinery or any other potentially dangerous task until they are certain the effect this medication has on their reactions. Alcoholic beverages will enhance this quality and may jeopardize the patient’s safety even when the task at hand seems rather mundane.

Zestoretic is not appropriate for all patients. And all physicians should refrain from prescribing this medication without a thorough medical assessment. Patients with a previous allergic reaction to sulfa medications and those who are unable to urinate can not take this medicine. Patients with a medical history which includes current dialysis, liver disease, heart rhythm disorders, kidney disease, congestive heart failure, asthma or allergies, diabetes, high cholesterol, or gout may or may not be able to tolerate Zestoretic, or may require cautious monitoring while undergoing drug therapy with this medication.

This medication has been proven by the American Food and Drug Administration to cause birth defects and should not be prescribed to women who are pregnant or who are likely to become pregnant. A pregnancy test should be conducted in the event the patient is unsure of her status. Women who are nursing should be advised that Zestoertic can pass through the mother’s breast milk and may cause harm to a nursing infant. Women who are nursing should avoid this medication.

In the event that the patient accidentally forgets to take a dose, the dose should be taken as soon as it is remembered. However, a forgotten dose should be skipped if it is nearing the normal time for the next dose. Taking doses too close together or taking too much of this medication may cause an accidental overdose.

An overdose requires immediate emergency medical care. Should an overdose be suspected, the patient may experience any number of symptoms, including but not limited to excessive thirst, muscle pain, weakness, dry mouth, nausea, light headedness, fainting, coma, or death.

Many patients will find that they experience side effects, especially when they first start taking this medication. Zestoric is associated with mild side effects such as itching, rash, nausea, cough, constipation, diarrhea, blurry vision, stomach discomfort, drowsiness, dizziness, and headaches. These and other mild symptoms should be reported to the prescribing physician for dosage adjustments as necessary, but they cause no real ill health effects.

However, there are some patients who experience serious side effects which require urgent medical care without delay. Allergic reactions present with hives, respiratory distress, and swelling of the lips, tongue, throat, or mouth. Other serious side effects include severe stomach pain sometimes with nausea, low urine output or the lack of urine altogether, numbness, tingles, a rash that either blisters or peels, flu symptoms such as fevers, body aches, and chills, or any combination of dry mouth, chills, nausea, vomiting, excessive thirst, fainting, muscle pain, weakness, dizziness and light headedness, fast heart rate, uneven heart rhythm, confusion, drowsiness, restlessness, an marked increase in urine output, or convulsions.

Medications should not be mixed without understanding their interactions. Patients should never add a medication from a prescription or the store, or vitamins and herbal remedies to their daily regimen without consulting their prescribing physician. Medications such as digoxin, lithium, cholestyramine, oral diabetes medication, injected insulin, diuretics, NSAID pain relievers, steroids, and additional blood pressure medications.