Spironolactone and Hydrochlorothiazide

What is spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide?

Spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide is a combination of 2 diuretic medicines (water pills). This medicine is used to reduce the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine. This makes the heart work less and helps to lower blood pressure.

You may hear spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide called by its brand names, Aldactazide or Novo-spirozine. Spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide is available in a tablet form. Some pharmacies will make a liquid form.

Before giving spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide to your child

Tell your doctor if your child has:

• an allergy to spironolactone
• an allergy to hydrochlorothiazide

Talk with your doctor or pharmacist if your child has any of the following conditions. Precautions may need to be taken with this medicine if your child has:

• an allergy to sulfonamides or sulfa? drugs
• kidney disease or liver disease
• diabetes

How should you give your child spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide?

• Give your child this medicine regularly and exactly as your doctor or pharmacist tells you.
• Talk to your child's doctor before you change the dose or stop giving this medicine for any reason. Your child may become ill if they stop taking this medicine suddenly.
• Give your child this medicine at the same times every day. Pick times that are easy for you so that you do not miss doses.
• If you are giving 1 dose per day, give this medicine in the morning.
• If you are giving 2 doses a day, give this medicine in the morning and at dinner. Give the night-time dose no later than 6 p.m. because your child may then have to wake up to urinate during the night.
• Give your child this medicine with food or milk to reduce the chance of an upset stomach.
• If your child is taking the liquid form, shake the bottle very well. Measure the dose with the special spoon or syringe the pharmacist gave you.

What should you do if your child misses a dose of spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide?

• Give the missed dose as soon as you remember.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Give the next dose at the regular time.
• Do not give your child 2 doses to make up for 1 missed dose.

What are the possible side effects of spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide?

Your child may have some of these side effects while they take spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide. Check with your child's doctor if your child continues to have any of these side effects and they do not go away, or if they bother your child:

• upset stomach
• loss of appetite
• watery bowel movements (diarrhea)
• headache
• dizziness when getting up from a lying or sitting position

Call your child's doctor during office hours if your child has any of these side effects:

• unusual bruising
• increased thirst
• continued watery bowel movements (diarrhea)
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• muscle cramps or pain

Most of the following side effects are not common, but they may be a sign of a serious problem. Call your child's doctor right away or take your child to Emergency if your child has any of these side effects:

• shortness of breath or difficulty breathing
• blood in urine or stool
• severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting
• muscle cramps or pain

What safety measures should you take when your child is using spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide?

Keep all appointments at the clinic or doctor's office so that the doctor can check your child's reaction to this medicine. The doctor may need to change the dose so that your child is getting the right amount.

Spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide should usually not be taken with potassium supplements, salt-substitutes, or other medicines that can increase the amount of potassium in the body.

Check with your child's doctor or pharmacist before giving your child any other medicines (prescription, non-prescription, herbal, or natural products).

This medicine may make your child's skin more likely to sunburn. To help prevent sunburn:

• Avoid direct sunlight for long periods of time.
• When outside, cover your child with clothing and a hat.
• Apply a sunscreen with an SPF 15 or higher.
• Avoid sunlamps, bright indoor lights, and tanning beds.

Before your child has any kind of operation, even on the teeth, or an emergency treatment, tell the doctor or dentist that your child is taking spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide.

What other important information should you know about spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide?

• Keep a list of all medications your child is on and show the list to the doctor or pharmacist.
• Do not share your child's medicine with others. Do not give anyone else's medicine to your child.
• Spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide liquid must be made by a pharmacy. Make sure your pharmacy is able to make it for your child.
• Make sure you always have enough spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide to last through weekends, holidays, and vacations. Call your pharmacy at least 2 days before your child runs out of medicine to order refills.
• Keep spironolactone + hydrochlorothiazide tablets and liquid at room temperature in a cool, dry place away from sunlight. Do NOT store it in the bathroom or kitchen.
• Do not keep any medicines that are out of date. Check with your pharmacist about the best way to throw away outdated or leftover medicines.
  

Keep spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide out of your child’s sight and reach and locked up in a safe place. If your child takes too much spironolactone and hydrochlorothiazide, call your local Poison Information Centre at one of these numbers. These calls are free. 

• Call 1-844 POISON-X, or 1-844-764-7669, from anywhere in Canada except Quebec.
• Call 1-800-463-5060 if you live in Quebec.