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Metolazone

Generic name: Metolazone (me-TOL-a-zone)
Brand Names: Zaroxolyn and Mykrox
Oral tablet: 10 mg, 2.5 mg, and 5 mg
Drug class: thiazide diuretics

What is Metolazone ?

The thiazide (water pill), metolazone, helps prevent the body from absorbing excessive salt. This can lead to fluid accumulation. Metolazone can be used to treat fluid accumulation (edema) in patients with heart disease such as congestive heart failure or kidney disorders like nephrotic syndrome. Metolazone can also be used to treat hypertension. Metolazone can be used in other ways not mentioned in the medication guide.

Metolazone side effects

If you experience difficulty breathing, hives or swelling in your lips, face, throat or tongue; any of the following could indicate an allergy: difficulty in taking deep breaths; trouble with swallowing; swelling on lips or face or throat or tongue

Metolazone may cause serious side effects. If you experience:

  • Chest pain;
  • If your heart begins fluttering or pounding uncontrollably, this could be what's going on.
  • Easy bruising and bleeding
  • Feeling faint? Do not ignore that feeling! It could be serious!
  • Liver problems: nausea, upper stomach discomfort, fatigue, itching, and loss of appetite. Other symptoms include dark urine or stools with a clay color, as well as jaundice.
  • low potassium—leg cramps constipation: increased thirst, nausea, or vomiting;
  • Low levels of sodium can cause headaches, slurred words, weakness, nausea, and a feeling of unsteadiness.
  • Other signs of electrolyte balance include dry mouth, nausea or vomiting, weakness or drowsiness, and muscular pain.
  • Severe skin reaction: fever, sore mouth, swelling of the tongue or face, pain in the eyes and skin, followed by blistering or peeling skin.

Metolazone can cause the following side effects:

  • Dizziness, spinning sensation;
  • Drowsiness, tiredness;
  • Depressed mood
  • Muscle or joint pain
  • Feeling of numbness, tingling, or warmth;
  • Symptoms of nausea include stomach pain and a loss of appetite.
  • Diarrhea, constipation.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Report any side effects by calling the fda's consumer hotline at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

Metolazone should not be used if you cannot urinate or have a severe liver condition.

Before you take this drug

Metolazone should be avoided if:

  • Severe liver disease
  • If you're unable to urinate,

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that metolazone will be safe for you:

  • An electrolyte balance (such as low potassium or magnesium levels in the blood).
  • A heart rhythm disorder.
  • An allergy to drugs containing sulfa;
  • Liver disease
  • Kidney disease
  • Diabetes;
  • Gout;
  • Systemic lupus erythematosus.

Metolazone use during pregnancy can cause adverse effects on the baby. These include blood cell issues or jaundice. Inform your doctor immediately if you are pregnant or if you fall pregnant after using metolazone.Metolazone may pass through breast milk, which can harm nursing babies.Breastfeeding women should avoid taking this medicine.Metolazone cannot be used by those under the age of 18.

How to take Metolazone?

Please follow all the instructions on the prescription label. In order to get you the best possible results, your doctor might occasionally adjust your dosage. Use this medication only as directed. Do not exceed the recommended dose or use it for longer. Metolazone should only be taken once a day. While taking this medication, you may have to reduce the amount of salt that you consume. You should follow your doctor's advice. You may require frequent blood tests while using metolazone. If you are vomiting or dehydrated, your blood and urine will be checked. Metolazone may cause unexpected results in certain tests. Inform any doctors who treat you that you use metolazone. Tell the doctor that you use metolazone in advance if you require surgery. It is possible that you will need to temporarily stop taking the medication. Even if you're feeling well, continue to take your medicine if you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can often be symptomless. Blood pressure medication may be needed for life. Keep the tablet at room temperature, away from light, heat, and moisture.

Details on dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:
Initial dose: 2.5 mg once daily (Zaroxolyn).
Orally, take 0.5 mg once daily (Mykrox).
Adult dose for edema:
Initial dose: Orally, 5 mg (Zaroxolyn), once per day.
Orally, take 0.5 mg once daily (Mykrox).

What happens if I miss the dose?

As soon as possible, take the missed dose. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed dose. You should not take more medicine to compensate for a missed dose.

What happens if I overdose?

Reach out for assistance if you suspect poison ingestion, or seek immediate medical care. Dial 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms include dizziness, drowsiness, or fatigue, as well as dry mouth, weakness of the muscles, lightheadedness, and fainting.

What should be avoided?

Alcohol consumption while taking metolazone may cause adverse effects.Drink enough liquids to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated during physical activity, in hot weather, or when exercising. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of fluids to drink. Drinking too much fluid can sometimes be just as dangerous as not drinking enough.

Interaction with other drug

This effect can be worsened by taking this medication with drugs that cause you to feel lightheaded. Before taking metolazone and a muscle relaxer or medication for seizures or anxiety, ask your doctor.

Inform your doctor of all the medicines you are currently taking and those that you will stop or start using.

  • Any other blood pressure medications
  • Digoxin, digitalis;
  • Furosemide (or other diuretics) is a water pill.
  • Insulin or diabetes oral medicine
  • Lithium;
  • Methenamine;
  • Vitamin D in high doses
  • A blood thinner—warfarin, Coumadin, or Jantoven
  • Nsaids are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications (nonsteroidal drugs). These include ibuprofen, naproxen, celecoxib (Advil), diclofenac (Aleve), Indomethacin (meloxicam), and other nsaids.
  • Salicylates: aspirin, Nuprin Backache Caplet, Kaopectate, kneerelief, Pamprin Cramp Formula, Pepto-Bismol, Tricosal, Trilisate, and others;
  • Steroid medicines, such as prednisone,

The list below is not exhaustive. Metolazone may also interact with other drugs, such as prescription or over-the-counter medicines, herbal products, vitamins, etc. This medication guide does not list all interactions.