Pain Relief Pharmacy

What is candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Candesartan is in a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists. Candesartan keeps blood vessels from narrowing, which lowers blood pressure and improves blood flow.

The combination of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

Who should not take candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to candesartan or hydrochlorothiazide (Carozide, Diaqua, Ezide HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide, and others), or if you:

• are unable to urinate; or
• are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Before using candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you are allergic to any drugs, or if you have:

• kidney disease;
• liver disease;
• congestive heart failure;
• low or high levels of potassium in your blood;
• asthma or allergies;
• high cholesterol or triglyceride levels;
• gout;
• lupus; or
• diabetes.

If you have any of these conditions, you may not be able to use candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, or you may need a dosage adjustment or special tests during treatment.

FDA pregnancy category D. This medication can cause harm to an unborn baby. Candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide may cause injury and even death to the unborn baby if you take it during the second and third trimesters of pregnancy. Do not use candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide without your doctor’s consent if you are pregnant. Use an effective form of birth control. Stop using this medication and tell your doctor right away if you become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

Take this medication with a full glass (8 ounces) of water.

To be sure this medication is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Your kidney function may also need to be tested. Do not miss any scheduled visits to your doctor.

Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medication, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.

Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using this medication.

It may take up to 4 weeks for this medication to control your blood pressure. Keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

If you need to have any type of surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide. You may need to stop using the medicine for a short time.

Store candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine.

Symptoms of a candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide overdose may include fast or slow heartbeat, feeling light-headed, or fainting.

What should I avoid while taking candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

Candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide can cause side effects that may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be awake and alert.

Avoid drinking alcohol. It can lower your blood pressure and may increase some of the side effects of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide, unless your doctor has told you to.

What are the possible side effects of candesartan and hydrochlorothiazide?

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

• feeling light-headed, fainting;
• chest pain, feeling short of breath, even with mild exertion;
• fever;
• swelling, rapid weight gain;
• urinating more or less than usual, or not at all;
• jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes); or
• dry mouth, increased thirst, drowsiness, restless feeling, confusion, nausea, vomiting, increased urination, muscle pain or weakness, fast heart rate, feeling light-headed, fainting, or seizure (convulsions).

Continue using the medication and talk with your doctor if you have any of these less serious side effects:

• stomach pain;
• back pain;
• dizziness, drowziness;
• headache;
• runny or stuffy nose, sore throat; or
• dry cough.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What is aspirin and carisoprodol?

Aspirin is in a class of drugs called salicylates. Aspirin works by reducing substances in the body that cause pain and inflammation. It is used to reduce pain, inflammation, and fever.

Carisoprodol is a muscle relaxant. It works by blocking nerve impulses (or pain sensations) that are sent to the brain.

The combination of aspirin and carisoprodol is used, along with rest and physical therapy, to treat injuries and other painful muscular conditions.

Aspirin and carisoprodol may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about aspirin and carisoprodol?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Aspirin and carisoprodol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking aspirin and carisoprodol. Also, in combination with aspirin, alcohol can be damaging to the stomach.

Watch for bloody, black, or tarry stools or bloody vomit. This could indicate damage to the stomach.

Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed. If the pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking aspirin and carisoprodol?

Do not take aspirin and carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you have acute intermittent porphyria.

Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you have

• kidney disease,
• liver disease,
• a stomach or intestinal ulcer,
• a bleeding or blood-clotting disorder.

You may not be able to take aspirin and carisoprodol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during treatment if you have any of the conditions listed above.

It is not known whether aspirin and carisoprodol will be harmful to an unborn baby. Do not take aspirin and carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant or could become pregnant during treatment.

It is not known whether aspirin and carisoprodol passes into breast milk. Do not take aspirin and carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

Aspirin and carisoprodol is not approved for use in children younger than 12 years of age. Also, do not use any medication that contains aspirin to treat a child or teenager who has a fever, flu symptoms, or chicken pox without first talking to a doctor. In children younger than 20 years of age, aspirin may increase the risk of Reye’s syndrome, a rare but often fatal condition.

How should I take aspirin and carisoprodol?

Take aspirin and carisoprodol exactly as directed by your doctor. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

Take each dose with a full glass of water.

Do not take more of this medication than is prescribed. If the pain is not being adequately treated, talk to your doctor.

Store aspirin and carisoprodol at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take only the next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication. Doses should be taken at least 4 hours apart.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention.

Symptoms of an aspirin and carisoprodol overdose include headache; ringing in the ears; dim vision; nausea; vomiting; diarrhea; sweating; increased thirst; low blood pressure (weakness, fainting, confusion); decreased breathing; and unconsciousness.

What should I avoid while taking aspirin and carisoprodol?

Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Aspirin and carisoprodol may cause dizziness or drowsiness. If you experience dizziness or drowsiness, avoid these activities.

Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while taking aspirin and carisoprodol. Also, in combination with aspirin, alcohol can be damaging to the stomach.

What are the possible side effects of aspirin and carisoprodol?

If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking aspirin and carisoprodol and seek emergency medical attention or contact your doctor immediately:

• an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing; closing of the throat; swelling of the lips, tongue, or face; or hives);
• paralysis (loss of feeling) or extreme weakness;
• vision loss;
• agitation or tremor;
• red, black, or bloody stools; or
• bloody vomit.

Other, less serious side effects may be more likely to occur. Continue to take aspirin and carisoprodol and talk to your doctor if you experience

• drowsiness or dizziness;
• headache;
• depression;
• blurred vision;
• insomnia;
• hiccups;
• faint ringing in the ears; or
• nausea or diarrhea.

Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

What other drugs will affect aspirin and carisoprodol?

Drowsiness or dizziness caused by carisoprodol may be increased by other drugs such as antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), other pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Together, these medicines may cause dangerous sedation, possibly resulting in unconsciousness and death. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine without first talking to your doctor.

Do not take aspirin and carisoprodol without first talking to your doctor if you are taking any of the following medicines:

• an anticoagulant such as warfarin (Coumadin), heparin, enoxaparin (Lovenox), dalteparin (Fragmin), danaparoid (Orgaran), ardeparin (Normiflo), or tinzaparin (Innohep);
• a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil, Nuprin, others), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), diclofenac (Voltaren, Cataflam), nabumetone (Relafen), oxaprozin (Daypro), piroxicam (Feldene), etodolac (Lodine), fenoprofen (Nalfon), flurbiprofen (Ansaid), indomethacin (Indocin), ketorolac (Toradol), sulindac (Clinoril), or tolmetin (Tolectin); or
• another salicylate such as aspirin (Acuprin, Ecotrin, Ascriptin, Bayer, others); choline salicylate and/or magnesium salicylate (Magan, Doan’s, Bayer Select Backache Pain Formula, Mobidin, Arthropan, Trilisate, Tricosal), or salsalate (Disalcid).

You may not be able to take aspirin and carisoprodol, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with aspirin and carisoprodol. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

Examples

Brand Name	Chemical Name
Soma	carisoprodol
Flexeril	cyclobenzaprine hydrochloride
Valium	diazepam
Skelaxin	metaxalone
Robaxin	methocarbamol
Norflex	orphenadrine citrate

How It Works

Muscle relaxant medicines relax muscles and may help reduce pain in people who have muscle spasms.

What To Think About

Muscle relaxant medicines work best when taken before bedtime. They should not be used when driving or operating machinery.