Sumal

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

Use with caution in

Diabetes

Elderly people

Gout

Kidney disease

Liver disease

Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)

Not to be used in

Allergy to thiazides

Diabetic keto-acidosis

Failure of the kidneys to produce urine (anuria)

High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia)

Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands (Addison’s disease)

Severe kidney disease

Severe liver disease

This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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 Bendroflumethiazide (Sumal). If hypokalaemia does not occur, this risk is removed. If hypokalaemia occurs with Bendroflumethiazide (Sumal), 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. Bendroflumethiazide (Sumal) 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.

Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.

Thirst

Muscle cramps

Blood disorders

Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain

High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)

High blood uric acid level (hyperuricaemia) which can cause kidney problems and gout

A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)

Disturbances in the levels of chemical components (electrolytes) in the blood

Increased production of urine (polyuria)

Rash

Impotence

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug’s manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.