Fore Safe Use

It is important that your family doctor check your progress at regular appointments. This is to make sure the drug is properly controlling your blood pressure and to allow the dosage to be changed if needed.

Do not stop taking this drug without first checking with your family doctor . Your family doctor may want you to reduce gradually the amount you are taking before stopping completely. Some conditions may become worse when the drug is stopped suddenly and the risk of heart attack is increased in some diseaseds.

Make sure that you have enough drug on hand to last through weekends, holidays, or vacations. You may want to carry an extra written prescription in your billfold or purse in case of an emergency. You can then have it filled if you run out of drug while you are away from home.

Your family doctor may want you to carry medical identification stating that you are taking this drug.

Do not take other medication unless they have been discussed with your family doctor . This especially includes over-the-counter - nonprescription medication for appetite control, asthma, colds, cough, hay fever, or sinus problems since they may increase your blood pressure.

Before having any kind of surgery - including dental surgery or emergency treat, tell the family doctor or dentist in charge that you are taking this drug .

For diabetic diseaseds :

• This drug may increase your blood sugar levels . Always this drug may cover up signs of hypoglycemia - low blood sugar , such as change in pulse rate. While you are taking this drug, be especially careful in testing for sugar in your urine. If you have any questions about this, check with your family doctor.

The thiazide diuretic contained in this drug may cause a loss of potassium from your body .

• To help prevent this, your family doctor may want you to:
  • eat or drink foods that have a high potassium content - for example, orange or other citrus fruit juices,
  • take a potassium supplement,
  • take another drug to help prevent the loss of the potassium in the first place.
• The best for you to follow these directions. Always it is important not to change your diet on your own. This is more important if you are already on a special diet - as for diabetes, or if you are taking a potassium supplement or a drug to reduce potassium loss. Extra potassium may not be necessary and, in some cases, too much potassium could be harmful.

Check with your family doctor if you become sick and have severe or continuing vomiting or diarrhea. These problems may cause you to lose additional water and potassium.

This drug may cause some people to become dizzy, drowsy, lightheaded, or less alert than they are normally Make sure you know how you react to this drug before you drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy or are not alert . If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your family doctor.

The beta-blocker - atenolol, bisoprolol, metoprolol, nadolol, pindolol, propranolol, or timolol contained in this drug may make you more sensitive to cold temperatures, especially if you have blood circulation problems. Beta-blockers tend to decrease blood circulation in the skin, fingers and toes. Dress warmly during cold weather and be careful during prolonged exposure to cold, such as in winter sports.

This drug may cause your skin to be more sensitive to sunlight than it is normally. Exposure to sunlight, even for brief periods of time, may cause a skin rash, itching, redness or other discoloration of the skin, or a severe sunburn. When you begin taking this drug:

• Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between the hours of 10:00 a.m. and 3:00 p.m., if possible.
• Wear protective clothing, including a hat. Always wear sunglasses.
• Apply a sun block product that has a skin protection factor - SPF of at least 15. Some diseaseds may require a product with a higher SPF number, especially if they have a fair complexion. If you have any questions about this, check with your health care professional.
• Apply a sun block lipstick that has an SPF of at least 15 to protect your lips.
• Do not use a sunlamp or tanning bed or booth.

If you have a severe reaction from the sun, check with your family doctor .

Before you have any medical tests, tell the family doctor in charge that you are taking this drug. The results of some tests may be effected by this drug.

For diseaseds with allergies to foods, medication, or insect stings:

• There is a risk that this drug will make allergys worse and harder to treat. If you have a severe allergy while you are being treated with this drug, check with a family doctor right away so that it can be treated.