Xipamide tablets

About xipamide

Xipamide belongs to a group of medicines called diuretics. A diuretic is a medicine which increases the amount of urine that you pass out from your kidneys. They are often referred to as 'water tablets'. Diuretics are a common treatment for högt blodtryck (hypertension). They are also used to clear fluid from your body in conditions where your body is retaining too much fluid (oedema).

Some medicines are not suitable for people with certain conditions, and sometimes a medicine may only be used if extra care is taken. For these reasons, before you start taking xipamide it is important that your doctor or pharmacist knows:

• Om du är gravid eller ammar.

• If you have kidney or liver problems.

• If you have narrowing of the arteries.

• If you have gout, diabetes, or an inflammatory condition called systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). These conditions may be made worse by diuretics.

• If you have been told by a doctor that you have low sodium or potassium levels in your blood, or high calcium levels in your blood.

• If you have a problem with your adrenal glands, called Addisons sjukdom.

• If you have a rare inherited blood disorder called porphyria.

• Om du tar eller använder några andra läkemedel. Detta inkluderar alla läkemedel du tar som finns att köpa utan recept, samt växtbaserade och komplementära läkemedel.

• Om du någonsin har haft en allergisk reaktion mot en medicin.

• Before you start this treatment, read the manufacturer's printed information leaflet from inside your pack. The leaflet will give you more information about xipamide and a full list of side-effects which you may experience from taking it.

• Take xipamide exactly as your doctor has told you. The usual dose is one tablet daily, although occasionally up to four tablets daily may be needed for a short while in some people. Your doctor is likely to recommend that you take your dose in the morning. This is so it works during the day and your sleep is not disturbed by you needing to get up to go to the toilet.

• Swallow the tablet with a drink of water. You can take it before or after your meals.

• If you forget to take a tablet, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is after 6 pm in the evening, you should skip the forgotten dose and continue as usual the next day. Do not take two doses at the same time to make up for a missed dose.

• Treatment for high blood pressure is usually long-term. Although many people with high blood pressure do not feel unwell, if left untreated, high blood pressure can harm your heart and damage your blood vessels. This damage may later result in a heart attack, stroke, or kidney problems, so it is important that you continue to take these tablets regularly to help reduce the risk of this.

• Try to keep your regular appointments with your doctor. This is so your doctor can monitor your blood pressure and check on your progress.

• The salt balance in your blood may be upset by xipamide and your doctor may want you to have a blood test from time to time to check for this.

• You may be given some lifestyle or dietary advice by your doctor, such as stopping smoking, reducing the amount of salt in your diet and taking some regular exercise. Following this advice will also help to reduce the risk of damage to your heart and blood vessels.

• If you are taking xipamide tablets to reduce fluid retention in your legs, regular movements, raising your legs and using support stockings will also help. Talk with your doctor or pharmacist for advice.

• Diuretics like xipamide help you to lose water. Occasionally you may lose too much and become lacking in fluid in the body (dehydrated). Let your doctor know if you feel constantly thirsty, your mouth is dry, or your skin looks and feels dry.

• Speak with your doctor about how much water to drink each day whilst taking a diuretic; it may depend on your health and body weight.

• Drinking alcohol while you are on xipamide may make you feel dizzy. Alcohol can also act as a diuretic and make you dehydrated. Ask for your doctor's advice about whether you should avoid alcohol.

• If you buy any medicines, check with a pharmacist that they are suitable to take alongside xipamide.

• Om du ska genomgå en operation eller tandbehandling, informera den som utför behandlingen om vilka mediciner du tar.

Förutom sina nyttiga effekter kan de flesta läkemedel orsaka oönskade biverkningar, även om inte alla upplever dem. Dessa förbättras vanligtvis när din kropp anpassar sig till det nya läkemedlet, men tala med din läkare eller apotekare om någon av följande biverkningar fortsätter eller blir besvärliga.

Om du upplever några andra symtom som du tror kan bero på denna medicin, tala med din läkare eller apotekare.

• Förvara alla läkemedel utom räckhåll och synhåll för barn.

• Förvara på en sval, torr plats, borta från direkt värme och ljus.