Diuril

Why should Diuril not be prescribed?

If you are unable to urinate, you should not take this medication. If you are sensitive to or have ever had an allergic reaction to Diuril or other thiazide-type diuretics, or if you are sensitive to sulfa drugs, you should not take this medication.

Special warnings about Diuril

Diuretics can cause your body to lose too much potassium. Signs of an excessively low potassium level include muscle weakness and rapid or irregular heartbeat. To boost your potassium level, your doctor may recommend eating potassium-rich foods or taking a potassium supplement.

If you are taking Diuril, your doctor will do a complete assessment of your kidney function and continue to monitor it. Use with caution if you have severe kidney disease.

If you have liver disease, diabetes, gout, or the connective tissue disease lupus erythematosus, your doctor will prescribe Diuril cautiously.

If you have bronchial asthma or a history of allergies you may be at greater risk for an allergic reaction to this medication.

Dehydration, excessive sweating, severe diarrhea, or vomiting could deplete your body's fluids and lower your blood pressure too much. Be careful when exercising and in hot weather.

Notify your doctor or dentist that you are taking Diuril if you have a medical emergency, and before you have surgery or dental treatment.

Possible food and drug interactions when taking Diuril

Diuril may increase the effects of alcohol. Do not drink alcohol while taking this medication.

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

• Barbiturates such as phenobarbital and secobarbital
• Cholesterol-lowering drugs such as cholestyramine and colestipol
• Drugs to treat diabetes such as insulin and glyburide
• Lithium
• Narcotic painkillers such as oxycodone
• Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen and naproxen
• Norepinephrine
• Other drugs for high blood pressure such as captopril and nifedipine
• Steroids such as prednisone