'DYAZIDE' TABLETS

Please read this leaflet before you start to take your medicine. It is essential to follow your doctor's advice. If there is anything you do not understand, please ask your doctor or pharmacist (chemist). Keep this leaflet until you have finished all your prescribed course of ‘Dyazide'. You may want to read it again

If you are helping someone else to take this medicine, please read this leaflet before you give the first dose.

What is 'Dyazide'? 'Dyazide' is the maker's name for this medicine for the treatment of mild to moderate hypertension (high blood pressure) and/or oedema (fluid retention). The active ingredients in 'Dyazide' are triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide.

What does 'Dyazide' do? The two active ingredients in 'Dyazide' are diuretics. They act on the kidneys to remove more water from the body and thereby increase the volume of urine. 'Dyazide' therefore reduces blood pressure by reducing the volume of blood and the work required by the heart. It also removes excess water from the tissues to relieve any oedema (e.g. swollen ankles).

1. Before taking 'Dyazide' you should tell your doctor it you are pregnant (or think you may be), or if you are breast feeding.
1. Take 'Dyazide' as directed by your doctor. Read the dispensing label.
1. It is Important to take 'Dyazide' for the length of time your doctor has advised.
1. Like all medicines, 'Dyazide' can sometimes cause unwanted effects. You will find more about this later In this leaflet.
1. ALWAYS KEEP MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN.

For more information on 'Dyazide', please read the rest of this leaflet.

What should I do it I think I am pregnant (or I am breast feeding)? Do not take 'Dyazide' without consulting your doctor. You may need to be given another medicine instead.

What should I do if I have any other medical conditions? You should tell your doctor if your have serious kidney or liver problems, diabetes, gout, Addison's disease (a rare hormone condition), pancreatitis, raised levels of potassium or calcium in the blood or if you have had a previous reaction to either of the active ingredients in 'Dyazide'. Do not start taking this medicine but talk to your doctor as the use of 'Dyazide' is not recommended with these conditions. You may need to be prescribed another medicine.

If I am taking any other medicines, will 'Dyazide' affect them? If you are taking any other medicines, tell your doctor, as a number of medicines may be affected by 'Dyazide'. These include some other drugs used for heart conditions, diabetes, or arthritis.

'Dyazide' Tablets should be swallowed, with a drink of water, after food.

How much should I take and how often? Follow your doctor's directions about how and when to take your medicine. Please read the dispensing label carefully, it will tell you how many 'Dyazide' Tablets to take for each dose. The pack is marked with the days of the week to help you to remember to take your tablets regularly.

DO NOT TAKE MORE THAN THE DOSE YOUR DOCTOR HAS RECOMMENDED. Your pharmacist or doctor can help it you are not sure.

How long should I carry on taking 'Dyazide'? It is important to follow your doctor's instructions. Your doctor will arrange to renew your supply of tablets and for regular checks on your blood pressure. Keep taking the 'Dyazide' Tablets until your doctor changes or stops the treatment. Your blood pressure may be raised again if you stop the treatment too early.

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What should I do it I forget to take a dose? If you forget to take a dose at the right time, take it as soon as you remember. However, if it is late in the day, leave out the missed dose to prevent having to get up in the night to pass urine.

What unwanted effects might it have? 'Dyazide' removes excess water from the body and so will increase the number of times you will have to pass urine. This is most noticeable at the start of treatment. You may also notice a blue fluorescence to your urine under certain light conditions.

A few people may find that nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, weakness, muscle cramps, dizziness, headache thirst, dry mouth or a rash may occur whilst on 'Dyazide'. These symptoms are usually mild, but if you suffer badly, consult your doctor.

If you develop any other unusual symptoms, whilst you are taking this medicine, contact your doctor.

In order to assess the effects of your treatment more fully, your doctor may occasionally ask you for a blood sample.

What it I have taken too much? If a large amount has been taken, drink plenty of water and consult your doctor or local hospital casualty department at once.

If I have raised blood pressure, what else can I do to help reduce it? IN ADDITION to taking the prescribed 'Dyazide' Tablets, a number of practical measures can help:

1. Reduce weight - If you are overweight, this can contribute to fluid retention and may increase the risk of heart disease.
1. Meals - Try to eat fresh and nutritious food. Avoid large meals and too much salt as this may make fluid retention worse.
1. Rest - Doing strenuous activity can put a strain on your heart. Take plenty of rest with your legs raised to help reduce the fluid retention.

How should I store 'Dyazide' Tablets? Keep the tablets in a dry place and in the original packaging.

KEEP ALL MEDICINES OUT OF THE REACH OF CHILDREN - preferably in a locked cupboard or medicine cabinet.

What should I do with any medicine which is left at the end of treatment? If your doctor decides to stop treatment, return any left-over medicine to your pharmacist.

Remember this medicine has been prescribed just for you. Never offer your medicine to other people. It may not be suitable for them, even if their symptoms seem the same as yours.

'Dyazide' Tablets: each peach-coloured tablet contains 50 mg of triamterene and 25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide.

'Dyazide' Tablets also contain inactive ingredients to make the medicine acceptable, amongst these is sunset yellow.

Manufacturer and Marketing Authorisation Holder: Smith Kline & French Laboratories Ltd., Mundells, Welwyn Garden City, Herefordshire AL7 1EY, England.

How can I obtain more information about 'Dyazide'? In this short leaflet, we can give you only the most important information about 'Dyazide'. If you would like to know more, ask your doctor or pharmacist.

Where can I get more information about hypertension? In addition to advice from your doctor, pharmacist and other health professionals, the British Heart Foundation provides useful leaflets and advice:

British Heart Foundation

102 Gloucester Place

London W1H 4DH

'Dyazide' is a trade mark.

© 1992 Smith Kline & French Laboratories Leaflet prepared in March 1992 50047GB2