Hydrochlorothiazide, a `water pill,` is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention.

Hydrochlorothiazide is to be taken by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day. If you are to take it once a day, take it in the morning; if you are to take it twice a day, take it in the morning and in the late afternoon to avoid going to the bathroom during the night. Take this medication with meals or a snack. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your physician or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your physician.

Tell your physician if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away: muscle weakness; dizziness; cramps; Thirst; stomach pain; upset stomach; vomiting; diarrhea; loss of appetite; headache; hair loss; If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your physician immediately: sore throat with fever; unusual bleeding or bruising; severe skin rash with peeling skin; difficulty breathing or swallowing. If you notice other effects not listed above, contact your physician or pharmacist.

Before taking hydrochlorothiazide tell your physician if you are taking any of the following medications: lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others); digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps); the cholesterol-lowering drugs cholestyramine (Questran) or colestipol (Colestid); a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), indomethacin (Indocin), diclofenac (Cataflam, Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), sulindac (Clinoril), tolmetin (Tolectin), fenoprofen (Nalfon), ketorolac (Toradol), or flurbiprofen (Ansaid); a diabetes medication such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), chlorpropamide (Diabinese), tolazamide (Tolinase), tolbutamide (Orinase), and others; or a steroid medicine such as cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Hexadrol), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), prednisolone (Delta Cortef, Prelone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others. Also, before taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your physician if you are taking any other medicine to treat high blood pressure, water retention, heart problems, prostate problems, or another condition. Some medicines used to treat these conditions may interact with hydrochlorothiazide and the effects on your heart may be increased.

Seek emergency medical attention. Symptoms of a hydrochlorothiazide overdose include increased urination, nausea, vomiting, diarrhea, fatigue, lethargy, and unconsciousness.

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

Hydrochlorothiazide, a `water pill,` is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by various conditions, including heart disease. It causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

Store it at room temperature and away from excess heat and moisture (not in the bathroom). Throw away any medicine that is outdated or no longer needed.

Before taking this medication tell your physician and pharmacist if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, or any other drugs. Tell your physician if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney, liver, thyroid, or parathyroid disease. Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities. Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide. Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt may cause your body to retain water and may decrease the effects of hydrochlorothiazide. Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your physician if you are pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take hydrochlorothiazide without first talking to your physician if you are breast-feeding a baby.