drug-medicine: acezide

PATIENT INFORMATION LEAFLET

ACEZIDE TABLETS

Captopril/Hydrochlorothiazide

Your doctor has prescribed Acezide tablets for you. Please read this leaflet before you take your medicine. It gives a summary of information about your medicine. If you want to know more, or are not sure about anything, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

REMEMBER:

This medicine is for you. Only a doctor can prescribe it for you. Never give this medicine to anyone else. It may harm them even if they have the same symptoms as you.

WHAT IS IN ACEZIDE TABLETS?

The active ingredients in Acezide tablets are captopril 50 mg and hydrochlorothiazide 25mg. Captopril is a member of a group of medicines called Angiotensin Converting Enzyme (ACE) Inhibitors. ACE inhibitors reduce constriction of blood vessels, which makes it easier for the blood to flow through them. Hydrochlorothiazide is a member of the group of medicines called diuretics or “water tablets”.

The tablets are packaged in blister packs of 28 tablets.

The other ingredients are lactose, magnesium stearate, maize starch, microcrystalline cellulose and stearic acid.

WHAT IS THIS MEDICINE FOR?

Acezide tablets are used in the treatment of high blood pressure.

BEFORE TAKING YOUR MEDICINE:

Should you be taking this medicine?

Do NOT take these tablets if you answer YES to any of the following questions. Go back to your doctor for advice as soon as possible.

1. Are you pregnant or planning to become pregnant?
2. Are you breast-feeding?
3. Have you had an allergic reaction to any ingredients of Acezide or to any other medicines?
4. Have you ever had a reaction which included swelling of the hands, lips, face or tongue where the cause was unknown?
5. Do you suffer from a type of disease known as a “collagen vascular disease”, such as rheumatoid arthritis, systemic lupus erythematosus or scleroderma, that your doctor does not know about?
6. Have you suffered from heart, kidney or liver disease that your doctor does not know about?

Can you take other medicines?

Do not take other medicines while you are taking Acezide tablets, unless you have told your doctor or pharmacist and asked their advice. These include medicines from pharmacies for colds, coughs, hay fever or sinus problems as these may increase your blood pressure. If you are also taking anti-inflammatory painkillers (e.g. indomethacin, ibuprofen), lithium, carbenoxolone, corticosteroids, corticotrophin (ACTH), some laxatives, injections of an antifungal (amphotericin), muscle relaxants (given at the time of surgery), cholestyramine resin, colestipol, allopurinol (treatment for gout), procainamide and digoxin (treatment for irregular heartbeats), immunosuppressants (e.g. azathioprine and cyclophosphamide), calcium salts, potassium supplements or salt substitutes containing potassium, diuretics (water tablets), other drugs which can increase potassium in your body, such as heparin, drugs that cause dilation of the blood vessels (eg. minoxidil), clonidine, drugs used in diabetes, drugs used to treat psychic conditions and some of the older antidepressants, or any other treatment for high blood pressure, remind your doctor before taking Acezide Tablets.

Is it all right to drink alcohol?

Moderate amounts of alcohol will not affect Acezide tablets. However, you should check with your doctor whether drinking is advisable for you.

What if I am a diabetic

The amount of insulin or other anti-diabetic medicines you need to use may change when using Acezide, especially during the first month of treatment - ask your doctor for advice.

What if I am using dialysis?

There have been some reports of allergic-type reactions seen when people using drugs such as Acezide undergo dialysis. Tell your doctor before your next dialysis treatment

Is it all right to drive?

Acezide tablets do not usually affect your ability to drive. However, if you feel light-headed or dizzy, do not drive and check with your doctor.

What if I have lactose intolerance?

Each tablet contains 70mg lactose. Therefore, Acezide should not be taken by patients with inherited lactose intolerance.

Who should you tell that you are taking Acezide tablets?

Doctor - before having surgery or emergency treatment, or if he prescribes any new treatment. Tell your doctor you are taking Acezide tablets before you have any blood or urine tests as Acezide tablets may interfere with the results of some tests.

Dentist - before having dental surgery

Pharmacist - before buying any medicines

How much exercise should you take?

As you start feeling better you may try to do too much and feel faint, especially in hot weather. Make sure you discuss with your doctor a safe amount of exercise for you.

TAKING YOUR MEDICINE

How should you take Acezide tablets?

The usual dose is one or two tablets daily. You should try to take Acezide at about the same time each morning. If you are elderly or you have diabetes or kidney problems your doctor will probably start your treatment at the lowest possible dose to avoid possible side-effects. Acezide should not be used in children.

Can you take the tablets before or after meals?

It does not matter.

How long should you take them for?

Continue with Acezide tablets until your doctor tells you otherwise. Keep your doctor’s appointments even if you feel well.

What if you take too many tablets or a child swallows some?

Go to your nearest hospital Casualty Department or tell your doctor immediately. If you are going to the hospital, take the empty container and any remaining tablets with you. If the person has fainted, lay them down and raise their feet higher than their head.

What if you miss or forget to take a dose?

If you miss a dose do not worry. Just carry on taking your normal dose when the next one is due. DO NOT take a double dose to make up for the one you missed.

UNDESIRABLE EFFECTS

Are there any unwanted effects of Acezide tablets?

All medicines may cause some unwanted or ‘side-effects’ in a few patients. If you experience any of the following STOP TAKING YOUR MEDICINE AND TELL YOUR DOCTOR IMMEDIATELY:

Swelling of the hands, face, lips or tongue, difficulty in breathing, sore throat or fever, severe dizziness or fainting, severe abdominal pain, unusually fast or irregular heart beat, jaundice (yellow skin/eyes), a sudden, unexpected rash or burning, red or peeling skin.

Sometimes Acezide causes dizziness, itching, rashes, hair loss, flushing or pale skin, taste impairment, anorexia, sore mouth, mouth ulcers, dry mouth, upset stomach, sickness, abdominal pain, diarrhoea or constipation, pins and needles, cold extremities, cough, sleep disorders, drowsiness, headache, respiratory problems, generalised weakness and restlessness. If these symptoms persist or become troublesome you should tell your doctor.

Other unwanted effects sometimes seen with Acezide include purpura (purplish or reddish-brown discolouration of the skin), necrotising angiitis (inflammation of the blood vessels), xanthopsia (“yellow vision”), gout, thrombocytopenia (which causes unusual bruising or bleeding), neutropenia or agranulocytosis (which may cause infection, sore throat or fever due to a lack of white blood cells).

Sometimes patients may feel dizzy after taking the first one or two doses of Acezide. If this happens to you, lie down till these symptoms disappear.

Rarely disorders of the blood, kidney or liver, and emergence of latent diabetes mellitus can occur. Your doctor may need to test your blood or urine to monitor your condition.

Very rarely, the following have been reported: confusion, depression, chest pain, heart attack, stroke, blurred vision, runny nose, swollen salivary glands, stomach ulcers, sensitivity of the skin to light, pains in the muscles and joints, muscle spasms, fatigue, swelling of the breasts, impotence, changes in the amount of chemicals in the blood.

Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you notice any other troublesome side-effects.

Note: The hydrochlorothiazide in this medicine would produce a positive anti-doping result.

LOOKING AFTER YOUR MEDICINE

You will see an “EXPIRY DATE” on the outer packaging of Acezide. Do not use the tablets after this date.

Keep all your medicines where children cannot reach them, preferably in a locked cupboard or medicine cabinet. Keep Acezide tablets below 30°C. They should not get too hot or damp; so do not leave your tablets near a radiator, on a window sill or in the bathroom.

If your doctor decides to stop the tablets, ask your pharmacist to tell you what to do with any you have left.

Medicine: acezide