Indapamide Description

Generic Name : INDAPAMIDE

Pronunciation : (in dap' a mide)

Trade Name(s) : Lorvas, Natrilix, Natrilix SR

Why it is prescribed: Indapamide, a water pill, is used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by heart disease. It causes the kidneys to eliminate unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine.

When it is to be taken: Indapamide usually is taken once a day, in the morning. You may have to take this medication for several weeks before feeling its full effects.

How it should be taken: Indapamide comes in the form of tablets. Your prescription label tells you how much to take at each dose.

Special Instruction :
1. Keep all appointments with your doctor. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly, and blood tests may be done occasionally.
2. Do not stop taking indapamide without consulting your doctor. Your doctor may want to decrease your dose gradually.
3. Indapamide can cause dizziness and drowsiness. Do not drive a car or operate dangerous machinery until you know how it affects you.
4. Special dietary instructions should be followed. Follow your doctor's dietary recommendations such as a low-salt or low-sodium diet, potassium supplements, postassium-rich foods, and potassium-containing salt substitutes.
5. Take only your regular dose at the next scheduled time. Indapamide is most effective in controlling blood pressure when taken regularly. Try to take it at the same time you do some other regular activity such as eating breakfast.

Side Effects :
1. Frequent urination. This problem should disappear after you take this drug for a few weeks.
2. Muscle pain or cramps, weakness, thirst, dry mouth, upset stomach, fast or irregular heartbeat. Be sure that you are taking your potassium supplement correctly, if prescribed. Contact your doctor.
3. Nausea, stomach irritation, vomiting, abdominal cramps, diarrhea or constipation, loss of appetite. Take indapamide after meals.
4. Headache, dizziness, tiredness, drowsiness, numbness or tingling of the feet or hands, mood changes, insomnia, decreased sexual ability, blurred vision. Contact your doctor if these effects are severe or persist; your medication may have to be changed.
5. Lightheadness when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Get up slowly.
6. Skin rash, itching, hives. Contact your doctor immediately.

Other Precautions :
1. Before you take indapamide, tell your doctor if you have a history of heart rhythm problems; diabetes; gout; kidney, thyroid, parathyroid, or liver disease; systemic lupus erthematosus; or an allergy to sulfa drugs.
2. Lithium, digoxin, and certain other drugs may be affected by this medication.
3. Tell your doctor what prescription and nonprescription drugs you are taking. Do not take any other drugs, including nonprescription drugs, without consulting your doctor.
4. Women who are pregnant or breast-feeding should tell their doctors. Indapamide should not be used during pregnancy or breast-feeding.
5. Before having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor in charge about your medications.
6. Do not allow anyone else to take your indapamide.

Storage Conditions : Keep this medication in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of direct sunlight. Store it at room temperature and out of the reach of children.