LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) 5/6.25mg

What is LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.Bisoprolol is in a group of drugs called beta-blockers. Beta-blockers affect the heart and circulation (blood flow through arteries and veins).LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)?
You should not use LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) if you have severe or uncontrolled heart failure, a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block," an allergy to sulfa drugs, or if you are unable to urinate. Before using LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide), tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver disease, cirrhosis, asthma, allergies, gout, lupus, diabetes, or a thyroid disorder.If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using bisoprolol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Your insulin or diabetic medication needs may change while you are taking LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Talk with your doctor before changing any doses.Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and may add to the side effects of LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Keep using LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. There are many other medicines that can interact with LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)?
You should not use LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or bisoprolol, or if you have: severe or uncontrolled heart failure;a heart condition called "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (2nd or 3rd degree);if you are unable to urinate; if you are allergic to sulfa drugs; orif you are allergic to any beta-blocker medication, such as atenolol (Tenormin), bisoprolol (Zebeta), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal, InnoPran), sotalol (Betapace), timolol (Blocadren), and others.

Before using LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide), tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:
congestive heart failure;kidney disease; liver disease (or cirrhosis); bronchospastic lung disease;a thyroid disorder;blood circulation problems;lupus;gout; ordiabetes.FDA pregnancy category C. LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) may be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby. 

How should I take LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.Take the medicine with a meal or right after you eat. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide).Do not stop using LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) suddenly, or you could have a serious or life-threatening heart problem. Talk to your doctor about how to avoid withdrawal symptoms when stopping the medication. To be sure LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis, and you may need blood tests. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Using bisoprolol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Your insulin or diabetic medication needs may change while you are taking LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Talk with your doctor before changing any doses.LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) can affect the results of certain thyroid tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medication.If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time. Keep using LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide) even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store this medication in a tightly closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and light. 

What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include fast or slow heart rate, confusion, weakness, shallow breathing, swelling, increased urination, and feeling like you might pass out. 

What should I avoid while taking LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can lower your blood pressure and may add to the side effects of LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Avoid using other medicines that make you light-headed (especially narcotic pain medication or barbiturates). They can add to the side effects of LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines.Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy. Get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall.This medication can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert. 

Side effects of LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)  
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects: swelling, rapid weight gain, feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;fast, slow, or uneven heartbeat;chest pain;easy bruising or bleeding;sudden numbness or weakness on one side of the body, problems with vision or speech, chest pain, or pain in one or both legs;numbness or tingly feeling in your hands or feet;feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;nausea, vomiting, dry mouth, extreme thirst, headache, confusion, hallucinations, seizure (convulsions);increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle pain or weakness or limp feeling;urinating less than usual or not at all;fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash; orupper stomach pain, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:
diarrhea, constipation, upset stomach;headache, tired feeling;dizziness, spinning sensation;cough, runny nose;ringing in your ears; orblurred vision.This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. 

What other drugs will affect LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide)?
Many drugs can interact with LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Below is just a partial list. Tell your doctor if you are using:insulin or diabetes medicine you take by mouth;colestipol (Colestid) or cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran);steroids (prednisone and others);lithium (Lithobid);rifampin (Rifadin, Rifamate, Rimactane);NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), etodolac (Lodine), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), and others;other heart or blood pressure medications such as clonidine (Catapres), guanethidine (Ismelin), or reserpine; ora calcium channel blocker such as diltiazem (Tiazac, Cartia, Cardizem), felodipine (Plendil), nifedipine (Procardia, Adalat), or verapamil (Calan, Covera, Isoptin, Verelan).This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with LODOZ (Bisoprolol Fumarate+Hydrochlorothiazide). Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.