Accuretic

If you develop any type of infection such as a sore throat or fever, contact your doctor immediately. It could indicate a more serious illness.

If you are taking Accuretic, your doctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function and will watch it closely as long as you are taking this drug. If you have kidney disease, Accuretic should be used with caution.

Caution is warranted, too, if you have liver disease. If you notice a yellow tinge to your skin and the whites of your eyes, stop taking the drug and notify your doctor. This could be a sign of liver damage.

Accuretic may increase your blood sugar levels if you have diabetes. It can also trigger gout or the connective tissue disease lupus erythematosus. Use Accuretic cautiously if you have any of these problems.

The safety and effectiveness of Accuretic in children have not been established.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Accuretic

If Accuretic is taken with certain other drugs, the effects of either could be increased, decreased, or altered. It is especially important to check with your doctor before combining Accuretic with the following:

Barbiturates such as phenobarbital
Cholestyramine (Questran)
Colestipol (Colestid)
Corticosteroids such as prednisone or ACTH
Diabetes medications such as insulin or Micronase
Digoxin (Lanoxin)
Diuretics such as HydroDIURIL and Lasix
Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
Narcotics such as Percocet
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as Naprosyn
Norepinephrine (Levophed)
Other high blood pressure medications such as Aldomet
Potassium-sparing diuretics such as Aldactone, Dyazide, and Moduretic
Potassium supplements such as Slow-K and K-Dur
Salt substitutes containing potassium
Tetracycline (Achromycin V, Sumycin)

Alcohol may increase the effect of Accuretic, and could cause dizziness or fainting. Check with your doctor before drinking alcoholic beverages.

Special information if you are pregnant or breastfeeding

ACE inhibitors such as the one in Accuretic have been shown to cause injury and even death to the unborn child when used in pregnancy during the second and third trimesters. If you are pregnant, your doctor should discontinue this medication as soon as possible. If you plan to become pregnant, make sure your doctor knows you are taking this medication. The diuretic component of Accuretic, when taken during pregnancy, can cause jaundice (yellowing of the skin and whites of the eyes) and abnormal bruising and bleeding in newborns.

Accuretic appears in breast milk and could affect a nursing infant. Because of potential harm to the baby, you'll need to choose between breastfeeding and continuing your treatment with Accuretic.