Aldactazide is used for:

Treating swelling in patients who have congestive heart failure,cirrhosis of the liver, or certain kidney problems (eg, nephroticsyndrome) and when other treatments are not effective or appropriate.It is also used to treat high blood pressure in patients for whom othertreatments are not effective or appropriate.

Aldactazide is a diuretic (water pill) and is a combination of apotassium-sparing diuretic (spironolactone) and a thiazide diuretic(hydrochlorothiazide). It works by making the kidneys eliminate sodium(salt) and water from the body, which helps to lower blood pressure.The spironolactone component helps minimize potassium loss.

Do NOT use Aldactazide if:

• you are allergic to any ingredient in Aldactazide or any other sulfonamide (eg, sulfamethoxazole)
• you are unable to urinate, have severely decreased kidney function, severe liver problems, or high blood potassium
• you are taking another potassium-sparingdiuretic (eg, triamterene), a potassium supplement, a salt substitutecontaining potassium, or dofetilide

Contact your doctor or health care provider right away if any of these apply to you.

Before using Aldactazide :

Some medical conditions may interact with Aldactazide . Tell yourdoctor or pharmacist if you have any medical conditions, especially ifany of the following apply to you:

• if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding
• if you are taking any prescription or nonprescription medicine, herbal preparation, or dietary supplement
• if you have allergies to medicines, foods, or other substances
• if you have cirrhosis or liver problems,diabetes, gout, kidney problems or kidney stones, asthma, heartproblems, menstrual problems, or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE orlupus)
• if you have elevated blood acid, low folic acid levels, or electrolyte problems, or are dehydrated

Some MEDICINES MAY INTERACT with Aldactazide . Tell your health careprovider if you are taking any other medicines, especially any of thefollowing:

• Potassium-sparing diuretics (eg,triamterene), potassium supplements, or salt substitutes containingpotassium because high blood potassium levels may occur and causelistlessness, confusion, abnormal skin sensations of the arms and legs,heaviness of limbs, slowed heart rate, irregular heart rhythm, orstopping of the heart
• Cholestyramine or colestipol because they may decrease Aldactazide 's effectiveness
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs(NSAIDs) (eg, indomethacin) because the they may decrease Aldactazide's effectiveness and the risk of kidney problems may be increased
• Barbiturates (eg, phenobarbital), certainchemotherapy medicines, corticosteroids (eg, prednisone), digoxin,dofetilide, ketanserin, narcotic pain medicines (eg, codeine), ormedicines for high blood pressure because the risk of their sideeffects may be increased by Aldactazide
• Diazoxide, lithium, or nondepolarizingneuromuscular blockers (eg, pancuronium) because their actions and sideeffects may be increased by Aldactazide
• Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)inhibitors (eg, enalapril) because the risk of high blood potassium andkidney problems may be increased by Aldactazide
• Diabetes medicines (eg, glipizide) or insulin because their effectiveness may be decreased by Aldactazide

This may not be a complete list of all interactions that may occur.Ask your health care provider if Aldactazide may interact with othermedicines that you take. Check with your health care provider beforeyou start, stop, or change the dose of any medicine.

How to use Aldactazide :

Use Aldactazide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Take Aldactazide by mouth with or without food. If stomach upset occurs, take with food to reduce stomach irritation.
• Aldactazide may increase the amount ofurine or cause you to urinate more often when you first start takingit. To keep this from disturbing your sleep, try to take your dosebefore 6 pm.
• If you miss a dose of Aldactazide , takeit as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skipthe missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do nottake 2 doses at once. If more than one dose is missed, restart themedication and advise your doctor or pharmacist at your nextappointment.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Aldactazide .

Important safety information:

• Aldactazide may cause dizziness. Theseeffects may be worse if you take it with alcohol or certain medicines.Use Aldactazide with caution. Do not drive or perform other possiblyunsafe tasks until you know how you react to it.
• Aldactazide may cause dizziness,lightheadedness, or fainting; alcohol, hot weather, exercise, or fevermay increase these effects. To prevent them, sit up or stand slowly,especially in the morning. Sit or lie down at the first sign of any ofthese effects.
• Aldactazide may cause you to becomesunburned more easily. Avoid the sun, sunlamps, or tanning booths untilyou know how you react to Aldactazide . Use a sunscreen or wearprotective clothing if you must be outside for more than a short time.
• Tell your doctor or dentist that you takeAldactazide before you receive any medical or dental care, emergencycare, or surgery.
• Patients who take medicine for high bloodpressure often feel tired or run down for a few weeks after startingtreatment. Be sure to take your medicine even if you may not feel"normal." Tell your doctor if you develop any new symptoms.
• Diabetes patients - Aldactazide mayaffect your blood sugar. Check blood sugar levels closely. Ask yourdoctor before you change the dose of your diabetes medicine.
• Lab tests, including liver function,kidney function, lung function, blood pressure, blood electrolytes, andfasting blood glucose, may be performed while you use Aldactazide .These tests may be used to monitor your condition or check for sideeffects. Be sure to keep all doctor and lab appointments.
• Aldactazide should not be used in CHILDREN; safety and effectiveness in children have not been confirmed.
• PREGNANCY and BREAST-FEEDING: It is notknown if Aldactazide can cause harm to the fetus. If you becomepregnant, contact your doctor. You will need to discuss the benefitsand risks of using Aldactazide while you are pregnant. Aldactazide isfound in breast milk. Do not breast-feed while taking Aldactazide .

Possible side effects of Aldactazide :

All medicines may cause side effects, but many people have no, or minor, side effects. Check with your doctor if any of these most COMMON side effects persist or become bothersome:

Changes in blood sugar; constipation; dizziness; fatigue; headache;inflammation of a salivary gland; loss of appetite; nausea; sensitivityto sunlight; stomach pain; weakness.

Severe allergic reactions (rash; hives; itching; difficultybreathing; tightness in the chest; swelling of the mouth, face, lips,or tongue); breast enlargement; dry mouth; excessive thirst; impotence;leg or muscle cramps; mental confusion; rapid, weak, or irregularheartbeat; stomach pain; urination problems; vomiting; yellowing ofskin or eyes.