Bezide

A thiazide diuretic with actions and uses similar to those of hydrochlorothiazide. It has been used in the treatment of familial hyperkalemia, hypertension, edema, and urinary tract disorders. (From Martindale, The Extra Pharmacopoeia, 30th ed, p810)

Bezide is indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy.

Bezide has also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as: nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure.

Bezide tablets are indicated in the management of hypertension either as the sole therapeutic agent or to enhance the effectiveness of other antihypertensive drugs in the more severe forms of hypertension.

Usage in Pregnancy.

The routine use of diuretics in an otherwise healthy woman is inappropriate and exposes mother and fetus to unnecessary hazard. Diuretics do not prevent development of toxemia of pregnancy, and there is no satisfactory evidence that they are useful in the treatment of developed toxemia.

Edema during pregnancy may arise from pathological causes or from the physiologic and mechanical consequences of pregnancy. Thiazides are indicated in pregnancy when edema is due to pathologic causes, just as they are in the absence of pregnancy (however, see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy: Nonteratogenic Effects below). Dependent edema in pregnancy, resulting from restriction of venous return by the expanded uterus, is properly treated through elevation of the lower extremities and use of support hose; use of diuretics to lower intravascular volume in this case is illogical and unnecessary. There is hypervolemia during normal pregnancy which is harmful to neither the fetus nor the mother (in the absence of cardiovascular disease), but which is associated with edema, including generalized edema, in the majority of pregnant women. If this edema produces discomfort, increased recumbency will often provide relief. In rare instances, this edema may cause extreme discomfort which is not relieved by rest. In these cases, a short course of diuretics may provide relief and may be appropriate.

Treating excess fluid buildup in the body caused by certain conditions or medicines. It may also be used to treat high blood pressure or for other conditions as determined by your doctor.

Bezide is a thiazide diuretic. It works by helping the kidneys eliminate fluid from the body. Exactly how Bezide works to treat high blood pressure is unknown.

Applies to the following strengths: 5 mg; 10 mg

Usual Adult Dose for:

• Hypertension
• Edema

Additional dosage information:

• Renal Dose Adjustments
• Liver Dose Adjustments
• Precautions
• Dialysis
• Other Comments

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension

Initial dose: 5 to 20 mg orally per day

Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 15 mg orally per day

Usual Adult Dose for Edema

Initial dose: 5 to 20 mg orally once a day or in 2 divided doses.

Maintenance dose: 2.5 to 5 mg orally once a day. Intermittent therapy may be appropriate in certain patients. Electrolyte imbalance may be less likely to occur if given every other day or on a 3 to 5 day per week schedule.

Renal Dose Adjustments

CrCl 25 mL/min or less: Bezide is not recommended in patients with severe renal insufficiency since it is not expected to be filtered into the renal tubule (its site of action) when the glomerular filtration is less than 25 mL/min.

Liver Dose Adjustments

Data not available

Precautions

Safety and effectiveness have not been established in pediatric patients (less than 18 years of age).

Dialysis

Data not available

Other Comments

Periodic monitoring of electrolytes is recommended, particularly in elderly patients and in patients receiving a high dose.

Further information

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

Medical Disclaimer

More about Bezide

• Bezide Side Effects
• During Pregnancy or Breastfeeding
• Drug Interactions
• Support Group
• 3 Reviews
• Drug class: thiazide diuretics

Professional resources

Related treatment guides

• Edema
• High Blood Pressure

See also:
What is the most important information I should know about Bezide?

Use with caution in

Diabetes

Elderly people

Gout

Bezide is contra-indicated in patients with known hypersensitivity to

Bezide, other thiazide, other sulphonylurea derivatives and the

excipients in the tablet.

Bezide is also contraindicated in patients with the following conditions;

? Refractory hypokalaemia, hyponatraemia, or hypercalcaemia

? Severe renal and hepatic impairment

? Symptomatic hyperuricaemia

? Addison

Use Bezide as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions.

• Bezide may be taken with or without food.
• When you first start taking Bezide, it may cause an increase in urine or in frequency of urination. To prevent this from affecting sleep, try not to take any dose later than 6 pm.
• Continue to use Bezide even if you feel well. Do not miss any doses.
• If you miss a dose of Bezide, take it as soon as possible. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not take 2 doses at once.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Bezide.

It is important to tell your doctor or pharmacist what medicines you are already taking, including those bought without a prescription and herbal medicines, before you start treatment with this medicine. Similarly, check with your doctor or pharmacist before taking any new medicines while taking this one, to ensure that the combination is safe.

When taken together with cisapride, sertindole, sotalol, astemizole, terfenadine or beta-agonist bronchodilators such as salbutamol, there may be an increased risk of abnormal heart rhythm, if low blood potassium (hypokalaemia) occurs with Bezide. If hypokalaemia does not occur, this risk is removed. If hypokalaemia occurs with Bezide, the toxicity of cardiac glycosides such as digoxin may be increased. When taken together with other medicines which can cause hypokalaemia e.g. corticosteroids, carbenoxolone or beta-agonist bronchodilators such as salbutamol, there may be an increased risk of developing hypokalaemia. Potassium supplements may be required. If used with other diuretics, the fluid and salt (electrolyte) balance in the body should be monitored. When taken together with medicines that decrease blood pressure there is an increased risk of a large drop in blood pressure. Bezide reduces the ability of the body to remove the medicine lithium. As this can give rise to adverse effects, this medicine should not be taken with lithium. This medicine may raise blood glucose levels and therefore reduce the effectiveness of antidiabetic medicines. Dose adjustments of the antidiabetic may be required.

See also:
What are the possible side effects of Bezide?

Gastrointestinal: nausea, vomiting, cramping and anorexia are not uncommon; diarrhea, constipation, gastric irritation, abdominal bloating, jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice), hepatitis, and sialadenitis occasionally occur; and pancreatitis has been reported.

Central Nervous System: dizziness, vertigo, paresthesia, headache, and xanthopsia occasionally occur.

Hematologic: leukopenia, agranulocytosis, thrombocytopenia, hemolytic anemia, and aplastic anemia have been reported.

Dermatologic-Hypersensitivity: purpura, exfoliative dermatitis, pruritus, ecchymosis, urticaria, necrotizing angiitis (vasculitis, cutaneous vasculitis), respiratory distress including pneumonitis, fever, and anaphylactic reactions occasionally occur; photosensitivity and rash have been reported.

Cardiovascular: orthostatic hypotension may occur and may be potentiated by coadministration with certain other drugs (e.g., alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics, other antihypertensive medications, etc.

Other: muscle spasm, weakness, or restlessness is not uncommon; hyperglycemia, glycosuria, metabolic acidosis in diabetic patients, hyperuricemia, allergic glomerulonephritis, and transient blurred vision occasionally occur.

Whenever adverse reactions are moderate or severe, thiazide dosage should be reduced or therapy withdrawn.