Brand Name

Prinzide {Merck}

Generic Name

hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril, pronounced HYE droe KLOR oh THYE a zide and lye SIN oh pril

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Drug Guide

The information contained in the following drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.

What is Prinzide?

Prinzide is a medication to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. The lisinopril in Prinzide is in a group of medications called angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors {ACE inhibitors}. Prinzide also contains hydrochlorothiazide, which is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause you to retain fluid.

Prinzide may also be used for purposes not described in this medication guide.

Key Facts About Prinzide

Prinzide is in FDA pregnancy category D. You should not use Prinzide if you are pregnant. If you become pregnant while taking Prinzide you should stop taking this medication and contact your doctor right away. Prinzide may cause injury or death to an unborn baby if taken during your second or third trimester. You should be sure to use effective birth control while taking Prinzide.

You should not breast-feed while taking Prinzide, as this medication passes into breast milk.

While you are taking Prinzide you should not drink alcohol. Because drinking alcohol can further lower your blood pressure you may experience an increase in certain side effects of Prinzide if you drink alcohol while taking Prinzide.

Unless your doctor has advised you to do so, you should not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes while you are taking Prinzide.

Until you know how you will react to Prinzide you should avoid getting up too fast from a lying or sitting position, as you may experience dizziness. Be sure to get up slowly and steady yourself to prevent a fall, especially when you first begin your treatment with Prinzide.

If you suffer from vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating you can easily become dehydrated while taking Prinzide. This can lead to very low blood pressure, electrolyte disorders, or kidney failure. You should tell your doctor if you suffer from these symptoms while taking Prinzide, and be certain to drink plenty of water each day while you are taking this medication.

Continue to use Prinzide as your doctor has directed, and be sure to get your blood pressure checked regularly.

Before You Take Prinzide

If you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide and lisinopril or to any other ACE inhibitor, like
benazepril (Lotensin), captopril (Capoten), enalapril (Vasotec), lisinopril (Prinivil, Zestril), moexipril (Univasc), perindopril (Aceon), quinapril (Accupril), ramipril (Altace) or trandolapril (Mavik) you should not take Prinzide.

If you cannot urinate you should not take Prinzide.

If you have ever had an allergic reaction to sulfa drugs or penicillin you should let your doctor know before starting to take Prinzide.

You should inform your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, are on dialysis, heart disease or congestive heart failure before taking Prinzide.

If you have diabetes, glaucoma, asthma, allergies or gout you should tell your doctor before starting treatment with Prinzide.

Prinzide Drug Interactions

You should inform your doctor if you are taking any of the following:

• Cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) or colestipol (Colestid)
• Diuretics or water pills like amiloride (Midamor, Moduretic), spironolactone (Aldactone, Aldactazide), or triamterene (Dyrenium, Maxzide, Dyazide)
• Gold injections to treat arthritis
• Insulin or oral diabetes medication taken by mouth
• Lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith)
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin) and meloxicam (Mobic)
• Steroids, like prednisone

Other drugs you take that are not listed may interact with Prinzide. You should tell your doctor about all of the medications you use. This includes prescription drugs, vitamins, supplements and herbal products, and over the counter medications. You should not begin taking a new medication without telling your doctor first.

Directions for Taking Prinzide

You should take Prinzide exactly your doctor has told you to. It is important that you do not take Prinzide in larger or smaller amounts, or for longer or shorter than recommended. Follow the directions on your prescription label and follow any dose changes carefully if your doctor instructs you to change your dose.

Prinzide should be taken with a full glass of water

You may take Prinzide with or without food.

You may need to take Prinzide on a long-term basis for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is important that you follow up with your doctor on a regular basis to be sure that Prinzide is helping your condition and not causing you to have any adverse or harmful effects.

Prinzide should be stored at room temperature, and away from both moisture and heat. Keep the bottle tightly closed.

If you miss a dose of Prinzide you should attempt to take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose, or if your next dose is less than 12 hours away you should skip the dose you missed.

Prinzide Side Effects

If you experience any of the following adverse effects you should stop taking Prinzide and seek emergency medical help immediately.

• Allergic reaction including breathing difficulties, hives and swelling of your face, lips, throat or tongue
• Pain in the abdomen or severe abdominal cramping
• Fever with chills, body aches and flu symptoms
• High potassium signs, with symptoms like a slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness or a tingly feeling
• Jaundice
• Low potassium signs, with symptoms like confusion, an uneven heart rate, extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness or a limp feeling
• Nausea and vomiting
• Restlessness
• Shortness of breath
• Skin rash that is severe and blistering
• Swelling with rapid weight gain
• weakness
• Urinating less often or not at all

Less serious side effects of Prinzide may include

• Drowsiness
• Dry mouth and thirst
• Faint feeling, light-headedness and paleness
• Blurred vision
• Constipation
• Cough
• Depressed mood
• Dizziness
• Headache
• Rash that is mild
• Sweating more than usual
• Tired feeling
• Upset stomach

It should be noted that this is not a complete list of possible side effects of Prinzide. You should contact your physician for a complete list and medical advice regarding these effects.

Prinzide Description and Dosing

Prinzide 10-12.5 tablets are blue, hexagon-shaped tablets with the code 145 on one side and plain on the other side. Each tablet contains 10 mg of lisinopril and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide.

Prinzide 20-12.5 tablets are yellow, hexagon-shaped tablets with the code MSD/140 on one side and scored on the other side. Each tablet contains 20 mg of lisinopril and 12.5 mg of hydrochlorothiazide.

Lisinopril is an effective treatment of hypertension in once-daily doses of 10-80 mg, and hydrochlorothiazide is effective in doses of 12.5-50 mg. However, this may not be the right dose for you. Your doctor will prescribe the correct dose of Prinzide for you. Do not alter or change your dose of Prinzide without your physician’s consent.

If you suspect that you have overdosed with Prinzide you should seek emergency help immediately.

Ingredients in Prinzide

Prinzide contains the active ingredients lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide. Other inactive ingredients include calcium phosphate, magnesium stearate, mannitol, and starch. Prinzide 10-12.5 also contains FD&C Blue #2 aluminum lake. Prinzide 20-12.5 also contains iron oxide.

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The information contained in this drug guide is intended as an educational resource only. This guide is not exhaustive and does not contain all available information about this drug.This guide is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatment.

The information provided in this guide does not replace the need for the advice and services of medical professionals or the need for medical examination. Always talk to your physician or pharmacist before taking any prescription medication or over the counter drugs (including any supplements) or before making any changes to your treatment. Only your doctor, nurse or pharmacist can provide you with safe and effective advice regarding your drug treatment.

The use of the information in this guide is at your sole risk. This information is provided "AS IS" with no warranties to accuracy or timeliness.

**All trademarks and registered trademarks are the property of their respective owners.