Aquazide 12.5 (Hydrochlorthiazide) 12.5mg

Aquazide general information

What is Aquazide used for?

Aquazide tablets 12.5mg are used to treat fluid retention (oedema) in various conditions, including congestive heart failure, kidney disorders, cirrhosis of the liver with ascites, which is liver disease that causes accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, and as a side effect of corticosteroid medication or oestrogens.  Oedema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial spaces between cells or in body cavities and is not drained away.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg help remove excess fluid from the body tissues, such as around the feet and ankles, which can become very swollen, and also from the blood and for this reason they are often called water tablets.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg are also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and can used be either alone or in combination with antihypertensive medication for high blood pressure. 

How does Aquazide work?

Aquazide tablets 12.5mg contain hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic with antihypertensive action that is used to remove excess fluid from interstitial spaces (spaces between cells) and from body cavities.  Hydrochlorothiazide in Aquazide tablets 12.5mg acts directly on the distal convoluted tubule of the kidneys to promote the removal of salts and water from the blood, which increases urine volume and decreases blood volume.  It works by inhibiting reabsorption of salts (sodium and chloride ions) back into the blood in the kidney tubules, and this action promotes excretion of salt along with water.  There is also some loss of potassium and bicarbonate ions, which can counteract the effect of hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels) caused by some antihypertensive drugs.  The action of hydrochlorothiazide in Aquazide tablets 12.5mg removes excess fluid from the tissues and thereby reduces oedema due to various conditions; it also reduces the resistance in peripheral blood vessels to reduce blood pressure.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg begin to work within 1-2 hours and its effect lasts for between 12-24 hours. 

What does Aquazide contain?

Aquazide tablets 12.5mg contain the active ingredient hydrochlorothiazide, a potent a thiazide diuretic used to reduce oedema and treat hypertension. 

Treating oedema with Aquazide

Aquazide tablets 12.5mg contain hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic that is used to treat oedema (fluid retention) in various conditions including congestive heart failure, kidney disorders, cirrhosis of the liver with ascites, which is liver disease that causes accumulation of fluid in the abdominal cavity, and as a side effect of corticosteroid medication or oestrogens.  Oedema occurs when excess fluid accumulates in the interstitial spaces between cells or in body cavities and is not drained away.  Diuretics work directly on the kidneys causing salts and water to be filtered out of the blood into the urine for excretion.  Hydrochlorothiazide in Aquazide tablets 12.5mg is a strong diuretic and works by inhibiting reabsorption of salts (sodium and chloride ions) back into the blood in the kidney tubules, and this action promotes excretion of salt along with water, which increases urine volume and decreases blood volume and is why diuretics are also known as water tablets.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg reduce oedema and help relieve symptoms of congestive heart failure by removing excess fluid that builds up in the body tissues, such as around the feet and ankles, which can become very swollen; also from the lungs, which can cause shortness of breath.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg also help remove fluid build-up in the abdomen, due to hepatic cirrhosis with ascites.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg can be used to treat congestive heart failure in conjunction with other medication. 

Aquazide for hypertension

Aquazide tablets 12.5mg contain hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic with antihypertensive action used to treat essential hypertension.  Although there are usually no other symptoms, essential hypertension, which is high blood pressure when at rest with usually no obvious and identifiable cause, increases risk of cardiovascular disease and if uncontrolled can cause kidney damage, stroke, heart attack and heart failure.  Hydrochlorothiazide in Aquazide tablets 12.5mg is a strong diuretic and works by inhibiting reabsorption of salts (sodium and chloride ions) back into the blood in the kidney tubules, and this action promotes excretion of salt along with water, which increases urine volume and decreases blood volume and is why diuretics are also known as water tablets.  There is also some loss of potassium and bicarbonate ions, which can counteract the effect of hyperkalaemia (high potassium levels) caused by some other antihypertensive drugs.  The action of hydrochlorothiazide in Aquazide tablets 12.5mg reduces the resistance in peripheral blood vessels, which lowers blood pressure to normal resting levels, and helps the heart to cope better, reducing the risk of cardiovascular disease and end organ damage.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg can used be either alone or in combination with other antihypertensive medication.

What are the side effects of Aquazide?

The most commonly reported side effects when taking Aquazide tablets 12.5mg include: hypokalaemia (potassium depletion), hyperuricaemia (high levels of uric acid in the blood), hyperglycaemia (high blood sugar), glycosuria (excretion of sugar in the urine), transient blurred vision, gastric irritation (stomach cramps or pain).

When should Aquazide not be used?

You should not use Aquazide tablets 12.5mg if you:

• are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or any ingredients in Aquazide
• are pregnant or are breastfeeding
• have kidney or liver disease
• have diabetes, without discussion with your doctor
• have gout, without discussion with your doctor
• are taking medicines that interact with Aquazide, including lithium for bipolar disorder, barbiturates for epilepsy like phenobarbitone, narcotic analgesics like codeine (can cause low blood pressure when getting up from sitting), antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors, insulin and other diabetic medications like metformin, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, cholestyramine and colestipol for high cholesterol, alcohol

What medications interact with Aquazide?

Several medications interact with Aquazide tablets 12.5mg and should either not be taken while you are taking Aquazide or only after discussion and instruction from your doctor:

• Drugs that cause a serious reaction with Aquazide: barbiturates for epilepsy like phenobarbitone, narcotic analgesics like codeine (can cause low blood pressure when getting up from sitting), antihypertensives like ACE inhibitors (can cause low blood pressure), non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids (can increase potassium levels), alcohol
• Drugs that affect Aquazide: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, cholestyramine and colestipol for high cholesterol
• Drugs that are affected by Aquazide: lithium for bipolar disorder, insulin and other diabetic medications like metformin

How should Aquazide be taken?

You should take your Aquazide tablets 12.5mg swallowed whole with a glass of water with or without food once, twice or three times daily and at the same time each day.  The dose you take will depend on what you are being treated for and your doctor’s recommendation, usually one or two tablets per day, morning and evening.  If you are taking one tablet a day, you should take it in the morning.  Your doctor may increase or decrease your dose depending on how you respond.  You should continue to take your Aquazide tablets 12.5mg for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be until your oedema is reduced or may be for longer to control blood pressure.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg will help control your blood pressure but will not cure it, so you should continue to take your Aquazide tablets 12.5mg for as long as your doctor recommends, to keep your blood pressure down to normal levels. 

How long should you take Aquazide?

You should continue to take your Aquazide tablets 12.5mg for as long as your doctor recommends, which may be until your oedema is reduced or may be for longer to control blood pressure.  Aquazide tablets 12.5mg will help control your blood pressure but will not cure it, so you should continue to take your Aquazide tablets 12.5mg for as long as your doctor recommends, to keep your blood pressure down to normal levels. 

Missed dose of Aquazide

If you miss a dose of Aquazide tablets 12.5mg take it as soon as you remember, unless it is time to take the next dose, then skip the missed dose.  Do not take a double dose.

How should Aquazide be stored?

You should store your Aquazide tablets 12.5mg below 12.5°C in a cool dry place.