Product Details

What you need to know before you take Co-amilozide

Do not take Co−amilozide if: • You are allergic to Amiloride, Hydrochlorothiazide, other Sulfonamide-derived medicines or any of the other ingredients of this medicine (See Section 6 “Contents of the pack and other information”) • If you have high levels of potassium in the blood [hyperkalaemia] (especially if you are elderly, diabetic or suffer from liver or heart failure), are currently taking potassium-sparing diuretics such as spironolactone or triamterene (see “Other medicines and Co-amilozide”), potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods (unless you have severely low levels of potassium and you are being carefully monitored) • You suffer from kidney failure, kidney disease or other kidney problems such as anuria (failure of the kidneys to produce urine) • You suffer from sever liver failure or severe liver disease (hepatic cirrhosis) • You suffer from Addison’s disease • You have high levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia). Treatment with Co-amilozide should be discontinued before carrying out tests for parathyroid function • You are taking lithium (see “Other medicines and Co-amilozide”) • You suffer from diabetes (see “Warnings and precautions” section) or diabetic neuropathy (kidney disease or damage that can occur in people with diabetes) • You have high levels of urea or creatinine in the blood (may be a sign of kidney problems) Warnings and precautions Talk to your doctor before taking Co-amilozide: • If you experienced breathing or lung problems (including inflammation or fluid in the lungs) following hydrochlorothiazide intake in the past. If you develop any severe shortness of breath or difficulty breathing after taking Co-amilozide, seek medical attention immediately • If you experience a decrease in vision or eye pain. These could be symptoms of fluid accumulation in the vascular layer of the eye (choroidal effusion) or an increase of pressure in your eye and can happen within hours to a week of taking Co-amilozide. This can lead to permanent vision loss, if not treated. If you earlier have had a penicillin or sulfonamide allergy, you can be at higher risk of developing this. • If you have high levels of potassium in the blood [hyperkalaemia] (especially if you are elderly or suffer from liver or heart failure) • If you are currently taking potassium supplements or potassium-rich foods (unless you have severely low levels of potassium and you are being carefully monitored) • If you suffer from kidney problems, including abnormally high levels of blood urea nitrogen (azotaemia) • If you show signs of fluid and electrolyte imbalance [symptoms include dry mouth, weakness, lack of energy, drowsiness, restlessness, fits, confusion, muscle pain, cramps, low blood pressure (hypotension), decreased production of urine (oliguria), faster heartbeat (tachycardia), feeling sick (nausea) or being sick (vomiting)]: o Low blood levels of sodium which can cause tiredness and confusion, muscle twitching, fits and coma (hyponatraemia) o Abnormally high alkalinity of the blood and body fluids (hypochloraemic alkalosis) o Abnormally low levels of potassium in the blood (hypokalaemia) o An abnormally low level of magnesium in the blood (hypomagnesaemia) • If you suffer from liver problems or liver disease • If you have an abnormally high level of uric acid in the blood (hyperuricaemia) • If you suffer from gout (pain and swelling in one or more joints) • If you are diabetic. The status of kidney function should be determined before Co-amilozide is given to known or suspected diabetics. Co-amilozide should be discontinued for at least 3 days before giving a glucose-tolerance test as HCT may impair the results. Diabetes may be caused or aggravated by treatment with Co-amilozide. Dosage adjustment of anti-diabetic medicines, including insulin, may be required (see “Other medicines and Co-amilozide”) • If you have increased level of fats (cholesterol and triglyceride) in your blood • If you suffer from or have previously suffered from increased acidity in the blood (acidosis) • If you suffer from Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (long-term inflammation of skin) • If you have had skin cancer or if you develop an unexpected skin lesion during the treatment. Treatment with hydrochlorothiazide, particularly long-term use with high doses, may increase the risk of some types of skin and lip cancer (non-melanoma skin cancer). Protect your skin from sun exposure and UV rays while taking Co-amilozide Other medicines and Co-amilozide Tell your doctor or pharmacist if you are taking, have recently taken or might take any other medicines, including medicines obtained without a prescription. This includes herbal medicines. Medicines which may interact with or be affected by Co−amilozide: • Medicines used to increase frequency of urination e.g. spironolactone, triamterene (potassiumsparing diuretics) • Potassium supplements • Medicines used to treat mood disorders e.g. lithium (anti−psychotics) • Medicines used to treat diabetes e.g. insulin, chlorpropamide (anti-diabetics) • Medicines used to treat certain rheumatic disorders such as aspirin or ibuprofen (Non−Steroidal Anti−Inflammatory Drugs − NSAIDs) • Medicines used to reduce the body’s immunity when receiving organ transplant e.g. ciclosporin, tacrolimus (immunosuppressants) • Medicines used to treat Cushing’s syndrome e.g. trilostane • Medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as enalapril (ACE [Angiotensin−Converting Enzyme] inhibitors). Co-amilozide should be discontinued for 2-3 days before starting treatment with an ACE inhibitor • Other medicines used to treat high blood pressure such as losartan (angiotensin II receptor antagonists) • Medicines used to lower cholesterol e.g. cholestyramine, colestipol • Medicines used to reduce inflammation such as prednisolone (corticosteroids) • Corticotropin (AdrenoCorticoTropic Hormone – ACTH) • Medicines used to treat serious allergic reaction (anaphylaxis) such as epinephrine (adrenaline) and noradrenaline (sympathomimetics) • Tubocurarine, a muscle relaxant • Barbiturates, a type of sedative medicine that causes relaxation and sleepiness such as phenobarbital • Narcotics, analgesic medicines used to relieve severe pain such as morphine Co-amilozide and alcohol During treatment with Co−amilozide, it is advisable not to drink alcohol as this may cause you to become dizzy or faint on standing up from a resting position. Pregnancy and breast-feeding Pregnancy You must tell your doctor if you are pregnant or if you think that you are. Usually, your doctor will advise you to take another medicine instead of Co-amilozide, as Co-amilozide is not recommended during pregnancy. This is because Co-amilozide crosses the placenta and its use after the third month of pregnancy may cause potentially harmful foetal and neonatal effects. Breastfeeding Tell your doctor if you are breast-feeding or about to start breast-feeding. Co-amilozide is not recommended for mothers who are breast-feeding. Driving and using machines Although rare, you may feel weak, tired, dizzy, dazed or experience a feeling of “spinning” (vertigo), whilst taking this medicine. If any of these symptoms are experienced, it may be necessary to avoid driving or operating machinery or pursuing any activity in which full attention is required. Co-amilozide contains lactose If you have been told by your doctor that you have intolerance to some sugars, contact your doctor before taking this medicine. Co-amilozide contains wheat starch This medicine only contains very low levels of gluten and is very unlikely to cause problems if you have coeliac disease. One Co-amilozide 2.5/25mg tablet contains no more than 41.5 micrograms of gluten. One Co-amilozide 5/50mg tablet contains no more than 83 micrograms of gluten. If you have wheat allergy (different from coeliac disease) you should not take this medicine.