Your doctor may have prescribed you a medication for high blood pressure, or "pressure," as we call it. You may have received a pill that combines two drugs called Lisinopril and Hydrochlorothiazide. This is a very common medication used to control high blood pressure. So today, let's talk about what this medication is, what it does to the body, and what we need to be careful about when using it.
What really happens with this medicine?
Simply put, this pill is a combination of two medications. That means you get the benefits of two treatments in one pill.
1. Lisinopril: This belongs to a class of drugs called ACE inhibitors . It works by relaxing the walls of your blood vessels. Imagine that when a water pipe is tight, the water flows through it at a high pressure. If you widen the pipe a little, the water flows through it more easily and at a lower pressure, right? In the same way, when this medicine relaxes the blood vessels, it is easier for blood to travel from the heart to the rest of the body. Then the blood pressure, or blood pressure, decreases.
2. Hydrochlorothiazide: This is a diuretic . In our language, it is a medicine that makes the urine flow better. This causes the kidneys to excrete unnecessary water and salt from the body along with urine. When the excess fluid in the body is reduced, the pressure in the blood vessels decreases.
When these two methods work together, they can greatly help control your high blood pressure.
Things you need to tell your doctor before starting medication
Before your doctor prescribes this medicine, he or she should have a complete picture of your health condition. This medicine may not be compatible with some medical conditions. Therefore, if you have any of the conditions listed below, be sure to tell your doctor about it.
| Your situation | Description |
|---|---|
| Pregnancy or breastfeeding | This is especially important if you are pregnant, trying to get pregnant, or breastfeeding. This medicine may be harmful to your unborn baby. |
| Kidney or liver disease | If you have any kidney or liver disease or have reduced urination. |
| Diabetes | If you have diabetes, this medicine may affect your blood sugar levels. |
| Allergies | If you have previously had an allergic reaction to this medicine or other sulfa medicines. Also, if you have previously had swelling of the face, lips, or tongue and difficulty breathing (angioedema). |
| Heart disease or recent stroke | If you have other heart disease or have recently had a heart attack or stroke. |
| Other medical conditions | If you have immune system diseases (e.g. lupus), bone marrow diseases, or if you are on a special diet, such as a low-salt diet. |
How should I use the medicine?
This is very simple. Take the prescribed dose exactly as prescribed by the doctor. It is best to take it at the same time every day , because then the medicine will be at the same level in the body. You can take it before or after meals. However, if you have an upset stomach, it is better to take it with food.
The most important thing is to continue taking this medicine until your doctor tells you to stop. Even if you feel better and your blood pressure is lower, do not stop taking it suddenly.
If you think you have taken too much medicine, go to the nearest hospital Emergency Department (ETU) immediately. Or call the National Poisons Information Centre at the Colombo National Hospital .
And remember, this medicine is prescribed for you only. Never share it with anyone else.
What to do if you miss a dose of medication?
Anyone can forget to take a pill. If that happens, take the missed pill as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose (e.g., it is only a few hours away), skip the missed pill and take the next pill at the scheduled time. Never double up on a pill, meaning take two pills at once.
Other medications that may interact with this medicine
It is very important to inform your doctor about all the medications you are taking, whether prescribed by a doctor, purchased from a pharmacy, traditional medicine, vitamins, etc., because some medications can interact with Lisinopril/Hydrochlorothiazide and cause problems.
| Type of medicine | Level of concern |
|---|---|
| Do not take this medicine with any other medicine. | |
| Sacubitril; valsartan | A medicine for heart disease. Taking these two together can cause severe allergic reactions (angioedema). |
| Please inform your doctor about these medications as well. | |
| Painkillers (NSAIDs) | Medications like Ibuprofen, Naproxen, Diclofenac. These can reduce the effectiveness of blood pressure medication and affect the kidneys. |
| Potassium supplements | Potassium pills or salt substitutes that contain potassium. These can cause dangerously high levels of potassium in the blood. |
| Medications for diabetes | Dosage may need to be adjusted as it may affect blood sugar levels. |
| Lithium | It is a medicine given for mental illness. |
Things to keep in mind when taking medication
- Check your blood pressure: See your doctor regularly and share your progress. If you're checking your blood pressure at home, ask your doctor what your blood pressure should be and when you should call.
- Don't let your body get dehydrated: Since this medicine removes some water from your body, you can easily become dehydrated. So drink plenty of water throughout the day. If you are sweating a lot, have diarrhea, or are vomiting, talk to your doctor about it. This medicine can be dangerous if you lose water from your body.
- Dizziness and drowsiness: You may feel a little dizzy and drowsy when you first start taking this medicine. Therefore, avoid dangerous activities such as driving or operating machinery until you know how this medicine affects you. Especially if you are elderly, do not stand or sit up suddenly. Wait a while and then get up slowly. Drinking alcohol can increase this dizziness, so avoid alcohol.
- Be careful with the sun: Some people's skin may become sensitive to the sun while taking this medicine. This means they may burn easily. So avoid direct sunlight as much as possible. If you go outside, use sunscreen and wear clothing that covers your body.
Side effects that may occur due to medication
Like any medicine, this one can have side effects. But not everyone gets them. The important thing is to know what those side effects are and when we should tell our doctor about them.
| If you experience these symptoms, see a doctor or go to a hospital immediately. | |
|---|---|
| Severe allergic reactions (Angioedema) | Skin rash, itching, swelling of the face, eyes, lips, tongue or limbs, difficulty swallowing or breathing. |
| Symptoms of kidney damage | Decreased urine output, swelling of the ankles, hands, or feet. |
| Symptoms of liver damage | Pain in the upper right side of the stomach, loss of appetite, nausea, yellowing of the skin or eyes, dark yellow/brown urine. |
| Excessive decrease in blood pressure | Severe dizziness, blue eyes, fainting. |
| Symptoms of low potassium levels | Muscle pain or cramps, unusual tiredness, fast or irregular heartbeat. |
| If these symptoms persist or are bothersome, tell your doctor. | |
| Dry cough | Some people may develop a dry, non-productive cough due to ACE inhibitors. |
| Dizziness/headache | These may occur until the body gets used to the medication. |
| Stomach upset | This can be reduced by taking the medicine with food. |
Take-Home Message
- Take this medicine exactly as prescribed by your doctor, at the right time, for the right length of time. Do not stop taking it even if you feel better.
- Tell your doctor about all other medications you are taking and any other medical conditions you may have (especially diabetes, kidney disease).
- Be aware of dizziness, dehydration, and sensitivity to sunlight while taking the medication.
- If you experience severe allergic symptoms such as swelling of the face, lips, or difficulty breathing, seek medical advice immediately.
- If you are planning to become pregnant or suspect you are pregnant, inform your doctor immediately.
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