Ziac

Do not use Ziac if you have an allergic reaction to the drug.

Special warnings about Ziac

Use Ziac cautiously if you have a history of congestive heart failure.

Do not suddenly stop taking Ziac (see "Most important fact about this drug"). If you have to stop taking the drug, the doctor will gradually lower your dose of Ziac over a period of 2 weeks.

Call your doctor immediately if you develop breathing problems or an extremely slow heartbeat while taking Ziac.

If you suffer from asthma or other bronchial conditions, coronary artery disease, peripheral vascular disease, or kidney or liver disease, this medication should be used with caution.

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

Ziac causes some people to become drowsy or less alert. You should not drive or operate dangerous machinery or participate in any hazardous activity until you know how the drug affects you.

This medication may mask the symptoms of low blood sugar or alter blood sugar levels. In addition, diabetics who experience a severe drop in blood sugar after taking insulin may suffer a spike in blood pressure if they are also taking Ziac.

If you have a history of severe allergic reactions that have required epinephrine, you should be aware that Ziac may make your system unresponsive to the usual effective dose of epinephrine.

If you have systemic lupus erythematosus, you should be aware that Ziac could make the symptoms worse.

Ziac could mask symptoms of an overactive thyroid. Abruptly stopping the drug could make the condition worse.

In a small number of people, Ziac has interfered with the functioning of the parathyroid, causing blood levels of calcium and phosphate to rise. In rare cases, the drug has also caused gout.

There is a slight chance that Ziac could cause a drop in blood levels of electrolytes such as potassium and magnesium. Call your doctor if you develop any of the following: drowsiness, dry mouth, excessive thirst, low blood pressure, muscle pains or cramps, rapid heartbeat, restlessness, gastrointestinal problems such as nausea and vomiting, weakness or muscle fatigue, or an unusual decrease in urination.