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Oretic Tablet

Generic Name(s): Hydrochlorothiazide

Why it's used

Oretic Tablet is used for the management of high blood pressure. It is a prescription medicine. This medicine works by eliminating the excess of water, sodium and potassium salts from the body in urine. It helps by reducing the blood volume and thus decreases the total amount of blood pumped by the heart per minute. This results in decreased blood pressure. Oretic is also used to treat swelling associated with heart failure, corticosteroid or estrogen therapy, kidney and liver dysfunction with other medicines. It is also used to treat a disease that causes excessive thirst and heavy urination (also called, Diabetes insipidus). Oretic is also used to prevent kidney stones.
Oretic Tablet may also be taken in combination with other medicines to treat certain conditions as recommended by the doctor. Oretic Tablet is used together with Anti-Hypertensive for the management of high blood pressure. The effectiveness of these medicines increases when used in combination with Oretic.
Thiazide Diuretic
Oretic belongs to a class of medicines called Thiazide Diuretic. Thiazide diuretics are usually used to treat high blood pressure. They are also used for to treat congestive heart failure, accumulation of fluid and edema. They directly act on the kidneys and increase urine flow.

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How to use

Read the medicine guide provided by your pharmacist, your doctor, or the medicine company. If you have any questions related to Oretic, ask your doctor or pharmacist. Use Oretic Tablet as per the instructions provided by your doctor.
You should keep track of your blood pressure levels regularly. Share results with the doctor and discuss your treatment plan if your measurements areabnormally high or low
Oretic is consumed with or without food.

Typical Dosage

The typical dose of Oretic for adults is 25-50 mg daily in single or two divided doses. The usual dose for children is 1-2 mg/kg (0.5 mg to 1 mg/lb) daily in single or two divided doses. The maximum dose for adult patients of Oretic is 50 mg per day. It takes 2 hours for this medicine to start its action. This medicine is not known to be addictive or habit-forming.
Oretic should be used as directed by the doctor even if you feel well, or even if you think that there is no need for you to use your medicine.

Talk to Your Doctor

Discuss with your doctor if you develop new symptoms. Discuss with your doctor if frequent urination, have a reduced desire to eat, hair loss, diarrhea, and headache. Consult with your doctor before stopping the use of Oretic.
Your doctor may prescribe a lower starting dose of this medicine to understand the impact on the body. Please follow your doctor's recommendations. Older patients may see an increase in the incidence of side-effects. As a result, a lower dose may be recommended for older patients.

Use in Children

If you are giving Oretic Tablet to a child, be sure to use a product that is for use in children. Use the child's weight or age to find the right dose from the product package or medicine label. You can also read the dosage section of this page to know the correct dose for your child. Else, consult with your doctor and follow their recommendation.

Limit Alcohol

Limit drinking alcohol with Oretic.
Medicines may be recommended for uses other than those listed in the medicine guide. You should not use Oretic Tablet for conditions or symptoms for which it was not prescribed. Do not give Oretic Tablet to other people, even if they have the same conditions or symptoms that you have. The use of this medicine without the advice of a doctor may cause harm.

Storage

Follow storage instructions on the product package if available. Store Oretic Tablet at controlled room temperature 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F), protect from moisture, and protect from light. Store this medicine away from children and pets.

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How to take Oretic

The dose and frequency of using Oretic will depend on the following factors:
  • age of the patient
  • the weight of the patient
  • medicines recommended by the doctor
  • any other medicines being used
  • herbal supplements being used
  • response to the medicine

Oretic Dosage

Dosage for high blood pressure

Adult
  • Recommended: 25-50 mg daily in single or two divided doses
  • Initial: 25 mg single dose daily
  • Maximum: 50 mg daily
Children (infants age up to 2 years)
  • Recommended: 1-2 mg/kg/day (0.5-1 mg/lb/day) in single or two divided doses
  • Maximum: 37.5 mg/day
Children (2 to 12 years)
  • Recommended: 1-2 mg/kg/day (0.5-1 mg/lb/day) in single or two divided doses
  • Maximum: 100 mg/day
Children (infants age less than 6 months)
  • Recommended: 3 mg/kg/day (1.5 mg/lb/day) in two divided doses

Dosage for swelling due to fluid retention

Adult
  • Recommended: 25 mg to 100 mg in single or divided doses daily or on alternate days/on 3-5 days each week for patients who are responding to occasional therapy

Dosage for increased urine production (diuresis)

Children
  • Recommended: 37.5 mg/day
  • Initial: 1-2 mg/kg/day (0.5-1 mg/lb/day) in single or two divided doses
  • Maximum: infants age up to 2 years
Children
  • Recommended: 100 mg/day
  • Initial: 1-2 mg/kg/day in single or two divided doses
  • Maximum: 2 to 12 years
Children
  • Initial: 3 mg/kg/day (1.5 mg/lb/day) in two divided doses
  • Maximum: infants age less than 6 months

Dosage calculation for children

To calculate the dosage for children please use the weight based dose calculator to calculate the appropriate dosage as per the weight of your child.

Forms

Tablet
Strength: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg and 100 mg
Capsule
Strength: 12.5 mg
Oral solution
Strength: 50 mg/5 mL and 100 mg/mL

Special Instructions

Elderly patients
A low dose (12.5 mg) of Oretic is recommended in elderly patients to decrease side effects and lower blood pressure.

Missed Dose

The missed dose should be taken as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if its time for the next dose. Do not take a second dose to make up for the dose that you may have missed.

Overdose

What to do if you overdose on Oretic?
In case of overdosage, treat the symptoms and provide supportive measures. By inducing vomiting or stomach emptying, treat dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, a decrease in blood pressure and coma. If required, oxygen or artificial respiration should be given for breathing problems. Oretic can be removed from the blood by artificial blood purifying technique (hemodialysis).
Symptoms of an overdose of Oretic
If you use too much of this medicine, it could lead to dangerous levels of the medicine in your body. In such cases, symptoms of an overdose may include:
If you think you have overdosed on Oretic Tablet, call a poison control center immediately. You can look up the poison control center information from the Poison Center Finder at TabletWise.com.

Precautions while using Oretic

Before you use Oretic, tell your doctor of your medical and health history including the following:
  • allergy
  • asthma
  • kidney dysfunction
  • liver dysfunction
  • penicillin allergy
  • sulfonamide allergy
In patients with a kidney problem, this medicine may cause a high level of nitrogen in the blood. In patients with a liver disease, minor changes of fluid and electrolyte balance may cause coma. In patients with asthma or with a history of allergy, sensitivity reactions may occur. The patients with a history of sulfonamide or penicillin allergy have a risk of developing an eye disease that can cause blindness.
Before you use Oretic Tablet, discuss with your doctor if you are allergic to it or its ingredients. Your doctor may prescribe an alternative medicine and update your medical records to record this information. Tell your doctor if you are allergic any of the following substances: sulfonamide-derived drugs.
Before having surgery during the use of Oretic, discuss with your doctor and dentist about the medicinal products you use including prescription/non-prescription/herbal medicines.
The use of this medicine may change sodium levels. This medicine may decrease the sodium level in the blood. Low sodium levels may occur in patients with swelling due to fluid retention in hot weather. The preferable treatment is water restriction rather than salt intake, except in life-threatening conditions. A replacement therapy is chosen in case of actual salt depletion.
The use of this medicine may change cholesterol and triglyceride levels. The use of Oretic may increase the cholesterol and triglyceride levels in the blood.
The use of Oretic Tablet may change calcium levels. The use of this medicine decreases the excretion of calcium from the body. The increase in the calcium level may be a sign of the increased level of a hormone (called as parathyroid hormone). This medicine should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function.
The use of this medicine may change magnesium levels. This medicine increases the urinary excretion of magnesium which may result in decreased levels of magnesium in the blood.
The use of Oretic Tablet may change potassium levels. This medicine may cause a decrease in the blood potassium level with increased urination rate, if liver disease is present or after a long treatment. The abnormal intake of electrolyte will also contribute to decreased potassium level. Decreased potassium level may cause an irregular heartbeat (cardiac arrhythmia) and sensitize the heart response to the effects of digitalis. It can be avoided or managed by use of potassium-sparing diuretics or potassium supplements.

Seizures

Oretic Tablet can make you feel sleepy. Be careful when using any machinery, driving a vehicle, or doing any other activity that needs you to be fully alert. The consumption of alcohol with Oretic Tablet can worsen the sleepiness. Oretic Tablet may cause rarely seizures in some people. If you perform any activities where a loss of consciousness may cause harm to you (or others), you should discuss with your doctor.

Use in Pregnancy

The use of Oretic during pregnancy should only be when required. Thiazides may cross the barrier between mother and unborn baby (placental barrier). This may cause birth defects such as low levels of platelets, jaundice and other side effects that occurred in adults.

Use while Breastfeeding

Consult with your doctor on the use of Oretic Tablet during breastfeeding. This medicine is excreted in breast milk and may cause serious side effects in infants. A decision should be made whether to discontinue breastfeeding or this medicine, considering the importance of medicine to the mother.

Use while Conceiving

Consult with your doctor on the use of Oretic, if you are trying to conceive.

Alcohol

Limit drinking alcohol with Oretic. Drinking alcohol may cause decreased blood pressure.

Increased Risks

This medicine may increase your sensitivity to sunlight. If this happens, use a sunscreen and cover your skin when you are outdoors. Limit your time in the sun.

Side-effects in Older Patients

Oretic Tablet may cause increased incidence of side-effects in older patients.

What precautions should be taken during Pregnancy and Nursing, and administering Oretic to Children or the Older Adults?

Pregnant Women

Only When Necessary
Warning: Thiazides may cross the barrier between mother and unborn baby (placental barrier). This may cause birth defects such as low levels of platelets, jaundice and other side effects that occurred in adults.

Breastfeeding

Only When Necessary
Warning: There are chances of serious side effects in breastfeeding infants.

Younger Adults Population

Possibly safe
Warning: 

Older Adults Population

Precaution
Warning: A significant decrease in blood pressure and an increase in the side effects may be observed in elderly patients while using this medicine.

Oretic Side-effects

Rarely, the use of Oretic Tablet may cause the following side-effects:
The following severe side-effects may also occur when using Oretic Tablet:
  • An eating disorder (anorexia)
  • Inflammation of the pancreas
  • Serious blood disorder (aplastic anemia)
  • Inflammation of the blood vessel walls
  • Inflammation of the lung tissue
  • Serious allergic reactions
    If this happens, the dosage should be decreased and the treatment is withdrawn.
  • In these patients, the use of this medicine should be discontinued.
Your doctor has prescribed this Oretic because they have judged that the benefits outweigh the risks posed by side-effects. Many people using this medicine do not have serious side-effects. This is not a complete list of possible side-effects for Oretic.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Side-effects and Allergic Reactions of Oretic by Severity and Frequency

Infrequent and Rare Side-effects

Following are the infrequent and rare side-effects of this medicine:

Severe Side-effects

Following are the severe side-effects of this medicine:

Mild Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of mild allergic reactions to this medicine:

Serious Allergic Reactions

Following are the symptoms of serious allergic reactions to this medicine:
If this happens, the dosage should be decreased and the treatment is withdrawn.
If you experience side-effects or notice other side-effects not listed above, contact your doctor for medical advice. You may also report side-effects to your local food and drug administration authority. You can look up the drug authority contact information from the Drug Authority Finder at TabletWise.com.

Warnings

Acute Myopia and Angle-Closure Glaucoma

Patients having a history of sulfonamide or penicillin allergy are at high risk of angle-closure glaucoma while using this medicine. This medicine can cause near-sightedness (acute myopia) and an eye disease that can cause blindness (angle-closure glaucoma) in patients. The symptoms include decreased clarity of vision or eye pain which typically occur within hours to weeks of starting this drug therapy. Angle-closure glaucoma if left untreated can lead to permanent vision loss. Oretic should be discontinued as soon as possible. Immediate medical or surgical treatments may need to be considered if the pressure inside the eye remains uncontrolled.

Diabetes and Low Blood Sugar Level

The existing diabetes mellitus may develop while using this medicine. The diabetic patients using this medicine may require adjustment of their insulin dose.

Kidney Disease

Patients with kidney disease are at an increased risk when using this medicine. In patients with kidney disease, this medicine may cause increased nitrogen content in the blood (azotemia). This medicine should be used with caution in patients with severe kidney disease.

Liver Dysfunction

Patients with liver disease are at an increased risk when using this medicine. While using this medicine, changes in fluid and electrolyte balance may cause coma in patients with abnormal liver function or progressive liver disease. This medicine should be used with caution in patients with abnormal functioning of kidneys.

Asthma or Other Allergies

Patients with or without a history of allergy or asthma are at an increased risk when using this medicine. These patients may suffer from sensitivity reactions.

Systemic Lupus Erythematosus

In patients using this medicine, an immune system disorder in which your immune system attacks your body (also called systemic lupus erythematosus) has been reported.

Other Antihypertensive Drugs

Oretic may add to or potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs.

Interactions with Oretic

When two or more medicines are taken together, it can change how the medicines work and increase the risk of side-effects. In medical terms, this is called as a Drug Interaction.
This page does not contain all the possible interactions of Oretic Tablet. Share a list of all medicines that you use with your doctor and pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medicines without the approval of your doctor.

Corticosteroids

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Corticosteroids such as adrenocorticotropic hormone, which are used to treat inflammation. The use of cortocosteroids with Oretic results in worsening of electrolyte deficiency mainly by decreasing the blood potassium level.

Other Blood pressure lowering drugs

Oretic Tablet interacts with other blood pressure lowering drugs. Oretic may add to or potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs.

Antidiabetic Drugs

There may be an interaction of Oretic with Antidiabetic Drugs, which are used to decrease blood glucose levels. The dose of antidiabetic drugs may need to be adjusted when using with Oretic.

Barbiturates

Oretic Tablet may interact with barbiturates, which are used to depress the central nervous system or narcotics, which are used to induce sleep or treat pain. The use of Oretic with barbiturates or narcotics increases the blood pressure lowering effect of Oretic during stand up from sitting or lying down position.

Antihyperlipidemic Agents

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Antihyperlipidemic Agents such as cholestyramine and colestipol resins, which are used to lower blood cholesterol level. The absorption of Oretic is changed in the presence of cholestyramine and colestipol resins.

Parathyroid Function Test

Your doctor's guidelines may need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Parathyroid Function Test, the test to measure parathyroid hormone level in the blood. Oretic should be discontinued before carrying out this test.

Atimanic Agents

Oretic Tablet interacts with Atimanic Agents such as lithium, which is mainly used to treat depression. The use of Oretic with lithium reduces the kidney excretion of lithium and thus increase the risk of lithium poisoning. It is advised not to use this medicine with lithium.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

Special instructions need to be followed while taking this medicine along with Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs, which are mainly used to reduce pain, fever, and inflammation. In some patients, when Oretic is used with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents, the effectiveness of Oretic is reduced. The patient should be examined for the desired effects of Oretic when used in combination with non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Muscle Relaxants

There may be an interaction of Oretic with Muscle Relaxants such as tubocurarine, which are used to relax muscles. When Oretic is used together with a muscle relaxant, the response of the muscle relaxant is increased.

Pressor Amines

Oretic Tablet may interact with Pressor Amines such as norepinephrine, which are used to increase blood pressure and blood glucose level. When Oretic is used with pressor amines, the response of pressor amines in the body is decreased.

Interactions of Oretic by Severity

Severe

The following medicines are usually not to be taken together without consulting with your doctor or pharmacist.

Serious

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can cause harmful effects in the body. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

Moderate

The following medicines may interact when taken together and can increase your risk of harmful effects. Please consult with your doctor or pharmacist before taking these medicines together.

When should Oretic be not used?

Kidney Failure

This medicine should not be used in patients with failure of kidneys to produce urine (anuria).

Allergic to Oretic

This medicine should not be used in patients who are allergic to this medicine or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.

Traveling With Medication

  • Ensure that you carry enough doses of each of your prescription medicines to last the entire trip. The best place to store your medicines is in the carry on baggage. However, while flying, if carrying liquid medicines, make sure you do not go over the limits imposed for carry-on liquids.
  • While traveling overseas, make sure that you can carry each of your prescription medicines legally to your destination country. One way to ensure this is by checking with your destination country's embassy or website.
  • Make sure that you carry each of your medicines in their original packaging, which should typically include your name and address, and the details of the prescribing doctor.
  • If your travel involves crossing time zones, and you are required to take your medicine as per a fixed schedule, make sure that you adjust for the change in time.

Expired Medication

Taking a single dose of expired Oretic is unlikely to cause a side-effect. However, please discuss with your doctor or pharmacist, if you feel unwell or sick. An expired medicine may become ineffective in treating your prescribed conditions. To be on the safe side, it is important not to use an expired drug. You are much safer by always keeping a fresh supply of unexpired medicines.

Safe Disposal of Medication

  • If there are disposal instructions on the package, please follow the instructions.
  • If there are medicine take-back programs in your country, you should contact the respective authority to arrange for the disposal of the medicine. For example, in the USA, the Drug Enforcement Administration regularly hosts National Prescription Drug Take-Back events.
  • If there are no take-back programs, mix the medicine with dirt and place them in a sealed plastic bag. Throw the plastic bag in your household trash. Separately, remove all personal information including the prescription label from the medicine packaging and then dispose off the container.
  • If specifically indicated on the medicine package that it needs to be flushed down the toilet when no longer needed, perform the required step.
This page provides information for Oretic Tablet .

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