Bendroflumethiazide is used to treat water retention caused by heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood) and kidney or liver disease. Water retention may be noticed as swelling of the feet, ankles, lower leg and hands, or shortness of breath. For this reason, it is commonly known as a "water pill".
This medicine may also help to keep your blood pressure under control.
Take Bendroflumethiazide exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
You make take this medicine with or without food. Try to take it at the same time each day.
Swallow the tablet whole with a glass of water.
You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with Bendroflumethiazide. Take this medicine early in the day, preferably in the morning, to prevent you from frequently waking up at night to go to the toilet.
Bendroflumethiazide must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Bendroflumethiazide if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to a certain group of medicines called sulfonamides.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- hypercalcaemia (high calcium level in the blood)
- refractory hypokalaemia (low potassium level in the blood that does not improve with treatment)
- hyponatraemia (low sodium level in the blood)
- hyperuricaemia (high uric acid level in the blood)
- Addison's disease (a rare disorder where the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as Bendroflumethiazide may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- gout (high uric acid level in the blood)
- hypercholesterolaemia (high cholesterol levels in the blood)
- low potassium level in the blood
- severe liver damage caused by long-term heavy drinking
- systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
- severe heart failure (weakness and inability of the heart to pump blood) with water retention
- mild to moderate kidney disease
- mild to moderate liver disease
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Bendroflumethiazide to a child or the elderly. Children or elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have certain laboratory tests (e.g. parathyroid function test, blood test to check certain hormone level), inform your doctor that you are taking this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Correction of low potassium levels in the blood must be done before treatment.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Bendroflumethiazide may cause any of the following side effects: headache, dizziness, nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation, dry mouth, thirst, and tiredness.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- fast or irregular heartbeat, severe dizziness or passing out, mood changes, confusion, increased thirst, muscle pain or weakness, fits or seizures
- flushing, fast breathing, unusual hunger or thirst, breath that smells like fruit, sleepiness
- very bad stomach pain, very bad back pain, very bad upset stomach or throwing up
- changes in vision, eye pain, increased pressure in the eye
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- alprostadil (medicine for erectile dysfunction [inability of a man to attain or maintain an erection])
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- digoxin (medicine for heart disease)
- moxisylyte (medicine for Raynaud's disease [poor blood circulation which makes the toes and fingers numb and pale when feeling cold or stressed])
- theophylline (asthma medicine)
- terfenadine (medicine for cold or allergy)
- allopurinol (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- medicines to block pain and sensation
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. hydrocortisone
- certain antibiotics e.g. amphotericin, trimethoprim
- strong painkillers e.g. fentanyl, tramadol
- birth control pills e.g. estrogen, progesterone
- NSAIDs (medicine for pain and inflammation) e.g. indomethacin, ketorolac
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, gliclazide, chlorpropamide
- medicines to treat depression e.g. amitriptyline, fluoxetine
- medicines for epilepsy (fits or seizures) e.g. phenobarbital
- medicines for cancer e.g. aldesleukin, cisplatin
- cholesterol-lowering medicines e.g. colestyramine, colestipol
- medicines for mood disorders e.g. lithium, pimozide, sertindole, thioridazine
- medicines for Parkinson’s disease (disorder that affects the movement of a person, causing symptoms such as tremors, muscle stiffness, slowed movement and impaired balance or walking) e.g. levodopa, selegiline
- medicines for irregular heartbeat e.g. amiodarone, disopyramide, flecainide, quinidine
- other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, losartan, amlodipine, propranolol, prazosin, hydralazine, diazoxide
- other water pills or medicines for water retention e.g. acetazolamide, furosemide
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Bendroflumethiazide.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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