rauwolfia alkaloids with thiazide diuretics-oral (cont.)
DRUG INTERACTIONS: Inform your doctor about all the medicine you use (both prescription and nonprescription), especially of: MAO inhibitors (e.g., furazolidone, linezolid, phenelzine, selegiline, tranylcypromine), digoxin. Avoid any drugs that increase your heart rate or make you excited, like decongestants, because it may interfere with your blood pressure medicine. Decongestants are commonly found in cough-and-cold medicines. If your medicine contains a thiazide and you take colestipol or cholestyramine, take the diuretic 1 hour before or 4 hours after the cholesterol-lowering medicine because of decreased adsorption. Do not start or stop any medicine without doctor or pharmacist approval.
OVERDOSE: If overdose is suspected, contact your local poison control center or emergency room immediately. US residents can call the US national poison hotline at 1-800-222-1222. Canadian residents should call their local poison control center directly. Symptoms of overdose may include nausea, drowsiness, coma, slow heartbeat, dizziness, slow or shallow breathing, diarrhea, vomiting, muscle stiffness, leg pain, tremors, or unconsciousness.
NOTES: It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly while taking this medication. Learn how to monitor your blood pressure. Discuss this with your doctor. This drug may reduce the potassium levels in your blood. Ask your doctor about increasing your dietary potassium. Sometimes a potassium supplement medication may be beneficial. Avoid a bedtime dose because of increased urination.
MISSED DOSE: If you miss a dose, use it as soon as remembered; do not take it if it is near the time for the next dose. Instead, skip the missed dose and resume your usual dosing schedule. Do not "double-up" the dose to catch up. Check with your doctor if 2 or more doses have been missed.
STORAGE: Store at room temperature away from sunlight and moisture.
MEDICAL ALERT: Your condition can cause complications in a medical emergency. For enrollment information call MedicAlert at 1-800-854-1166 (USA), or 1-800-668-1507 (Canada).
Last Editorial Review: 3/2/2005
Report Problems to the Food and Drug Administration
You are encouraged to report negative side effects of prescription drugs to the FDA. Visit the FDA MedWatch website or call 1-800-FDA-1088.
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