Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril

Pronunciation: moe-EX-i-pril/HYE-droe-KLOR-oh-THYE-a-zide
Generic Name: Moexipril/Hydrochlorothiazide
Brand Name: Uniretic

This drug can cause serious fetal harm and possibly fetal death if used during pregnancy. If you become pregnant, contact your doctor right away.

Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril is used for:

Lowering high blood pressure.

Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril is an angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitor and thiazide diuretic combination. It works to lower your blood pressure by removing excess fluid from the body and causing blood vessels to relax or widen.

Do NOT use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril or any other sulfonamide medicine (eg, sulfamethoxazole, glyburide, probenecid)


• you have a history of angioedema (swelling of the face, lips, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or unusual hoarseness) caused by treatment with an ACE inhibitor (eg, lisinopril)


• you have severe kidney problems or are unable to urinate


• you are pregnant


• you are taking dofetilide or ketanserin

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

Before using Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril:

Some medical conditions may interact with Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril. 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 able to become pregnant


• 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 a history of bone marrow problems, blood vessel problems (eg, in the brain), high blood cholesterol or lipid levels, gout, heart problems (eg, heart failure, aortic stenosis), immune system problems, or kidney or liver problems


• if you have an autoimmune disease (eg, rheumatoid arthritis, lupus, scleroderma)


• if you have dehydration, low blood volume, severe diarrhea or vomiting, low blood pressure, high blood potassium levels, low blood sodium levels, or are on a low-salt (sodium) diet


• if you have a history of stroke, recent heart attack, kidney transplant, allergies, or asthma


• if you have diabetes, especially if you are also taking aliskiren


• if you are having dialysis or apheresis, or are scheduled to have major surgery or to receive anesthesia


• if you are receiving treatments to reduce sensitivity to bee or wasp stings


• if you have recently had a certain type of nerve surgery (sympathectomy)


• if you have never taken another medicine for high blood pressure

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

• Digoxin, dofetilide, or ketanserin because the risk of irregular heartbeat may be increased


• Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH), corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), dextran sulfate, diazoxide, diuretics (eg, furosemide), mTOR inhibitors (eg, everolimus, sirolimus), narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine), or other medicines for high blood pressure because they may increase the risk of Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril's side effects, including low blood pressure


• Angiotensin receptor blockers (ARBs) (eg, losartan) because the risk of serious kidney problems and high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Aldosterone blockers (eg, eplerenone), aliskiren, potassium-sparing diuretics (eg, spironolactone, triamterene), potassium supplements, salt substitutes containing potassium, or trimethoprim because the risk of high blood potassium levels may be increased


• Certain gold-containing medicines (eg, sodium aurothiomalate) because flushing, nausea, vomiting, and low blood pressure may occur


• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) (eg, ibuprofen, indomethacin) because the risk of serious damage to the kidneys (eg, decrease in amount of urine produced) may be increased or they may decrease Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril's effectiveness


• Lithium or thiopurines (eg, azathioprine) because the risk of their side effects may be increased by Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril


• Insulin or other diabetes medicines (eg, glyburide) because their effectiveness may be decreased by Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur. Ask your health care provider if Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril 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 Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril:

Use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril by mouth on an empty stomach at least 1 hour before eating.


• If you take cholestyramine or colestipol, ask your doctor or pharmacist how to take it with Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril.


• Taking Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril at the same time each day will help you remember to take it.


• Take Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril on a regular schedule to get the most benefit from it.


• Continue to use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.


• If you miss a dose of Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril.

Important safety information:

• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting. These effects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines. Use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril with caution. Do not drive or perform other possibly unsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may cause dizziness, light-headedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fever may increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly, especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any of these effects.


• Check with your doctor before you use a salt substitute or a product that has potassium in it.


• Drink plenty of fluids while taking Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril and avoid engaging in activities that cause excessive sweating. Dehydration, excessive sweating, vomiting, or diarrhea may lead to a fall in blood pressure. Contact your health care provider at once if any of these occur.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may cause a serious side effect called angioedema. Black patients may be at greater risk of developing this side effect. Contact your doctor at once if you develop swelling of the hands, face, lips, eyes, throat, or tongue; difficulty swallowing or breathing; or hoarseness.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril contains hydrochlorothiazide, a sulfonamide, which can cause certain eye problems (myopia, angle-closure glaucoma). Your risk may be increased if you are allergic to sulfonamide medicines (eg, sulfamethoxazole) or to penicillin antibiotics (eg, amoxicillin). Untreated angle-closure glaucoma can lead to permanent vision loss. If these eye problems occur, symptoms usually occur within hours to weeks of starting Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril. Contact your doctor immediately if you experience symptoms such as vision changes (eg, decreased vision clearness) or eye pain.


• A persistent, unproductive cough may occur. If caused by Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril, recovery is rapid when the medicine is stopped.


• Patients who take medicine for high blood pressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after starting treatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel "normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.


• Tell your doctor or dentist that you take Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril before you receive any medical or dental care, emergency care, or surgery.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may cause you to become sunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths until you know how you react to Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril. Use a sunscreen or wear protective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may raise your blood sugar. High blood sugar may make you feel confused, drowsy, or thirsty. It can also make you flush, breathe faster, or have a fruit-like breath odor. If these symptoms occur, tell your doctor right away.


• Diabetes patients - Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may affect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask your doctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.


• Lab tests, including blood electrolytes, blood pressure, blood cell counts, and liver and kidney function, may be performed while you use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril. These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for side effects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.


• Use Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril with caution in the ELDERLY; they may be more sensitive to its effects.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril should be used with extreme caution in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.


• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril may cause birth defects or fetal or newborn death if you take it while you are pregnant. If you think you may be pregnant, contact your doctor right away. Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril is found in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril.

Possible side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril:

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:

Diarrhea; dizziness; dry cough; headache; nausea; tiredness.

Seek medical attention right away if any of these SEVERE side effects occur:

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficulty swallowing or breathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips, or tongue; unusual hoarseness); change in the amount or urine produced; chest pain; difficult or painful urination; drowsiness; dry mouth; eye pain; fainting; fast, slow, or irregular heartbeat; fever, chills, or persistent sore throat; muscle pain, weakness, or cramps; numbness or tingling; one-sided weakness; red, swollen, blistered, or peeling skin; restlessness; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; severe or persistent nausea or vomiting; shortness of breath; slurred speech; stomach pain (with or without nausea or vomiting); sudden, severe headache or vomiting; swelling of the hands, ankles, or feet; symptoms of liver problems (eg, dark urine; pale stools; unusual loss of appetite, tiredness, or stomach pain; yellowing of the skin or eyes); symptoms of low blood sodium (eg, confusion, mental or mood changes, seizures, sluggishness); unusual bruising or bleeding; unusual thirst, tiredness, or weakness; vision changes (eg, decreased vision clearness).

This is not a complete list of all side effects that may occur. If you have questions about side effects, contact your health care provider. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. To report side effects to the appropriate agency, please read the Guide to Reporting Problems to FDA.

See also: Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril side effects (in more detail)

If OVERDOSE is suspected:

Contact 1-800-222-1222 (the American Association of Poison Control Centers), your local poison control center, or emergency room immediately. Symptoms may include fainting; severe or persistent dizziness or light-headedness; symptoms of blood electrolyte problems (eg, confusion; irregular heartbeat; mental or mood changes; muscle pain, weakness, or cramping; seizures; sluggishness); symptoms of dehydration (eg, drowsiness; dry eyes; fast heartbeat; nausea; restlessness; unusual thirst, tiredness, or weakness; vomiting).

Proper storage of Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril:

Store Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril between 68 and 77 degrees F (20 and 25 degrees C). Keep in a tightly closed container. Store away from heat, moisture, and light. Do not store in the bathroom. Keep Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril out of the reach of children and away from pets.

General information:

• If you have any questions about Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril, please talk with your doctor, pharmacist, or other health care provider.


• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril 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.


• Check with your pharmacist about how to dispose of unused medicine.

This information is a summary only. It does not contain all information about Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril. 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.

Issue Date: February 1, 2012

Database Edition 12.1.1.002

Copyright © 2012 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc.

More Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril resources

• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril Side Effects (in more detail)
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril Drug Interactions
• Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril Support Group
• 1 Review for Hydrochlorothiazide/Moexipril - Add your own review/rating

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