Prazosin and Polythiazide

The combination of prazosin and polythiazide is used to treat high blood pressure. It is a combination of two medicines. Prazosin, an alpha-block antihypertensive, works by relaxing blood vessels so that blood can flow more easily through the body. Polythiazide, a thiazide diuretic ('water pill'), causes the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. This medication is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

The combination of prazosin and polythiazide comes as a capsule to take by mouth. It is usually taken two to three times a day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take prazosin and polythiazide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor. The combination of prazosin and polythiazide controls high blood pressure but does not cure it. Continue to take prazosin and polythiazide even if you feel well. Do not stop taking prazosin and polythiazide without talking to your doctor.

<p></p> <p></p> <p></p> <p>Prazosin and polythiazide may cause side effects. Tell your doctor if any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away:

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dizziness</li>
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drowsiness</li>
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weakness</li>
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tiredness</li>
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blurred vision</li>
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ringing in the ears</li>
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stuffy nose</li>
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bloody nose</li>
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headache</li>
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upset stomach</li>
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vomiting</li>
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diarrhea</li>
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muscle weakness</li>
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thirst or dry mouth</li>
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abdominal pain</li>
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constipation</li>
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joint pain</li>
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cramps or muscle pain</li>
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decreased or increased urination</li>
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hair loss</li>
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loss of appetite</li>
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decreased sexual ability or interest</li></ul></p> <p></p> <p>If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately:

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difficulty breathing</li>
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difficulty swallowing</li>
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fast heartbeat</li>
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irregular heartbeat</li>
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chest pain</li>
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sore throat with fever</li>
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fainting</li>
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unusual bleeding or bruising</li>
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severe skin rash with peeling skin</li>
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yellowing of the skin or whites of the eyes</li>
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infection</li></ul>If you experience a serious side effect, you or your doctor may send a report to the Food and Drug Administration's (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting program online [at <a href='http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch'>http://www.fda.gov/Safety/MedWatch</a>] or by phone [1-800-332-1088].</p>

Before taking prazosin and polythiazide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to prazosin, polythiazide, other thiazide drugs, chlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, doxazosin, terazosin, or any other drugs. tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription medications you are taking, especially anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Nuprin) or Naproxen (Aleve); beta-adrenergic blockers such as atenolol (Tenormin), carteolol (Cartrol), labetalol (Normodyne, Trandate), metoprolol (Lopressor), nadolol (Corgard), propranolol (Inderal), sotalol (Betapace), and timolol (Blocadren); clonidine (Catapres); corticosteroids (such as prednisone [Deltasone, Orasone, others], betamethasone [Celestone], cortisone [Cortone], dexamethasone [Decadron, others], hydrocortisone, or methylprednisolone [Medrol, Solu-Medrol, others]); guanadrel (Hylorel); guanethidine (Ismelin); indomethacin (Indocin); lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid), medications for diabetes; other medications for high blood pressure; probenecid (Benemid); reserpine (Serpalan, Serpasil); verapamil (Calan); and vitamins and herbal products. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had asthma; liver, thyroid, or kidney disease; high cholesterol; diabetes; gout; difficulty urinating; or systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). if you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell the doctor or dentist that you are taking prazosin and polythiazide. you should know that this drug may make you drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery for 24 hours after the first time you take prazosin and polythiazide or after your dose is increased. remember that alcohol can add to the drowsiness caused by this drug. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Prazosin and polythiazide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight. you should know that this drug may make you dizzy when you get up from sitting or laying down. Be sure you get up slowly.

In case of overdose, call your local poison control center at 1-800-222-1222. If the victim has collapsed or is not breathing, call local emergency services at 911.