Healthy Heart Review

Zestoretic is a combination of two active ingredients, hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril.  When these two components are mixed together they give an efficient drug.  This combined drug can be used for treatment of hypertension.  Hydrochlorothiazide is used in hypertension but is also a diuretic that helps the human body to eliminate salts. The purpose of Lisinopril is to stop the angiotensin converting enzyme.

Zestoretic Facts

Zestoretic is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension)

Dosage

Zestoretic should be taken according to the doctor prescriptions and directions.

• Take each pill with water.   You do not need to take Zestoretic with food
• Make sure you are not allergic to one of it’s ingredients or to other ACE inhibitorDon’t stop the treatment even if you are feeling better
• If it is necessary to be operated on or to have any medical assistance inform the doctor first that you are taking Zestoreti
• Visit your doctor regularly and have tests to ensure that the drug is working for you.
• If you miss one dose take it as soon as possible but not  close to the next dose.
• Don’t take two doses at once! If you take doses in quick succession or together you run the risk of overdosing.  I repeat DO NOT TAKE TWO DOSES AT ONCE!

Special precautions

-    If you are pregnant or intend to become pregnant or breastfeeding then taking Zestoretic is not indicated
-    You should also avoid alcohol during your treatment with Zestoretic
-    Ask your doctor about other drugs that interact with Zetoretic and make sure you don’t take one during treatment
-    You might feel dehydrated so drink liquids as much as you can
-    If you suffer from kidney or liver diseases, diabetes, heart disease, inform your doctor before taking Zestoretic
-    You should not drive while taking Zestoretic as it affects your driving concentration.

Zestoretic in conjunction with other drugs

If you are taking any medication and in particular one of the drugs listed below, inform your doctor before using Zestoretic:

-    diuretics
-    insulin or diabetes medicamentation
-    steroids
-    anti-inflammatory drugs: aspirin, ibuprofen
-    barbiturates or narcotics

Possible side effects

Most common side effects are:

-    nausea, vomiting, headache, dizziness
-    diarrhea
-    cough
-    abdominal pain

Some side effects may have serious consequences:

-    skin allergic reaction: rash, itching
-    urination more or less than normal
-    hypotension

Overdose precautions

In the case of a overdose, lisinopril gives hypotension which can be easily treated intravenously with a saline solution. Hydrochlorithiazide gives hypokalemia. An immediate visit to the doctor is necessary in both cases.

Contraindications

Zestoretic is contraindicated when the patients suffer of:
-    angiodema
-    anuria ( the failure of kidneys to excrete urine)
-    allergies to other ACE inhibitors

If you want more information please click here to learn more.