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|Lopressor HCT

Lopressor HCT

Lopressor HCT is used for:

Treating high blood pressure.

Lopressor HCT is a beta-blocker and diuretic combination. It works by decreasing the force and slowing down the heartbeat, helping the heart beat more regularly and reducing the amount of work the heart has to do. It also increases the elimination of excess fluid, which helps to decrease blood pressure.

Do NOT use Lopressor HCT if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Lopressor HCT or to sulfonamide medicines (eg, sulfamethoxazole, probenecid, glyburide)
• you have uncontrolled heart failure, heart block, a very slow heart rate, or low blood pressure
• you are unable to urinate
• you are taking other beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), dofetilide, or mibefradil

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Lopressor HCT :

Some medical conditions may interact with Lopressor HCT . Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially if any of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have asthma, bronchitis, lung disease (eg, chronic obstructive pulmonary disease), diabetes, gout, an overactive thyroid, low blood levels of potassium or sodium, heart problems (eg, congestive heart failure), blood vessel problems, pheochromocytoma, lupus, liver disease, or kidney problems
• if you are having surgery or receiving anesthesia

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Lopressor HCT . Tell your health care provider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of the following:

• Clonidine, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), guanethidine, other beta-blockers (eg, propranolol), or reserpine because side effects of Lopressor HCT may be increased
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen) because the effectiveness of Lopressor HCT may be decreased
• Antiarrhythmics (eg, disopyramide), calcium channel blockers (eg, verapamil, diltiazem), or cimetidine because side effects, such as slow or irregular heart beat or low blood pressure, may occur
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (eg, enalapril), barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), clonidine, diazoxide, flecainide, mefloquine, mibefradil , narcotics (eg, codeine), or nifedipine because the actions and side effects of Lopressor HCT and these medicines may be increased
• Allopurinol, amantadine, digitalis (eg, digoxin), dofetilide, insulin, ketanserin, lithium, or other medicines for diabetes (eg, glyburide) because the actions and side effects of these medicines may be increased

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Lopressor HCT may interact with other medicines that you take. Check with your health care provider before you start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Lopressor HCT :

Use Lopressor HCT as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Lopressor HCT may be taken with or without food.
• Do not take cholestyramine or colestipol within 1 hour before or 2 hours after taking Lopressor HCT .
• When you first start taking Lopressor HCT , it may cause an increase in the amount of urine or the frequency of urination. To prevent this from interrupting your sleep, try not to take a dose later than 6 pm.
• If you miss a dose of Lopressor HCT , take the missed dose if you remember the same day. Skip the missed dose if you do not remember the same day. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Lopressor HCT .

Important safety information:

• Lopressor HCT may cause dizziness or lightheadedness. Do not drive, operate machinery, or do anything else that could be dangerous until you know how you react to Lopressor HCT . Using Lopressor HCT alone, with certain other medicines, or with alcohol may lessen your ability to drive or perform other potentially dangerous tasks.
• Lopressor HCT may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting. Alcohol, hot weather, exercise, and fever can increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Also, sit or lie down at the first sign of dizziness, lightheadedness, or weakness.
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after beginning therapy. Continue taking your medication even though you may not feel quite "normal."
• If you suddenly stop taking certain medicines, sharp chest pain, and in some cases heart attack, may occur. When stopping treatment with Lopressor HCT , your doctor will need to slowly decrease your dose over a period of 1 to 2 weeks and will watch you closely for side effects, particularly if you have certain kinds of heart disease. If chest pain becomes more severe, contact your doctor immediately. Because heart artery disease is common and you may no know you have it, it may be safer not to stop Lopressor HCT quickly even if you are only being treated for high blood pressure.
• Lopressor HCT may cause increased sensitivity to the sun. Avoid exposure to the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Lopressor HCT . Use a sunscreen or protective clothing if you must be outside for a prolonged period.
• Before you have any medical or dental treatments, emergency care, or surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are using Lopressor HCT .
• Patients being treated for high blood pressure should avoid using nonprescription medicines that contain stimulants, such as products used for dieting (appetite suppressants) or for cold symptoms (eg, pseudoephedrine).
• Diabetes patients - Lopressor HCT may mask signs of low blood sugar (eg, increased heartbeat, headache, chills, sweating, tremor, increased hunger, changes in vision, nervousness, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, fainting). Check blood glucose levels regularly.
• LAB TESTS, including blood pressure and heart rate, may be performed to monitor your progress or to check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Use Lopressor HCT with caution in the ELDERLY because they may be more sensitive to its effects.
• Use Lopressor HCT with extreme caution in CHILDREN. Safety and effectiveness have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: If you become pregnant while taking Lopressor HCT , discuss with your doctor the benefits and risks of using Lopressor HCT during pregnancy. Lopressor HCT is excreted in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Lopressor HCT .

Possible side effects of Lopressor HCT :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Cough; dizziness; lightheadedness; tiredness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; difficulty breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue); chest pain; irregular heartbeat; muscle pain or weakness; swelling of ankles or feet; unusual thirst or fatigue; unusually slow or irregular heartbeat.

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions or need medical advice about side effects, contact your doctor or health care provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088 (1-800-332-1088) or at http://www.fda.gov/medwatch.

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center (http://www.aapcc.org/findyour.htm), or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include coughing; dizziness; drowsiness; fainting; loss of consciousness; low blood pressure; muscular weakness; nausea; seizures; slow heart rate; trouble breathing; upset stomach; vomiting; weakness.

Store Lopressor HCT at room temperature, between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Brief storage at temperatures between 59 and 86 degrees F (15 and 30 degrees C) is permitted. Keep Lopressor HCT out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Lopressor HCT , please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.
• Lopressor HCT is to be used only by the patient for whom it is prescribed. Do not share it with other people.
• If your symptoms do not improve or if they become worse, check with your doctor.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Lopressor HCT . If you have questions about the medicine you are taking or would like more information, check with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.