Metolazone: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

Metolazone What Medicine?

What is metolazone for?

Metolazone is commonly used to treat high blood pressure and excess fluid retention (edema). This medication belongs to a class of cardiovascular drugs called diuretics, also known as "water pills." Metolazone works by getting rid of excess fluid in the body, which causes a drop in blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.

This medication also reduces swelling and fluid retention (edema) that can result from conditions such as congestive heart failure or kidney disease. This can help relieve symptoms, such as difficulty breathing.

How do you use metolazone?

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication by mouth with or without food, usually once daily, or as directed by your doctor. Dosage is based on your medical condition and response to therapy.

If you are taking this medicine too close to bedtime you may need to get up in the middle of the night to urinate. Therefore, it is best to take this medication at least 4 hours before your bedtime.

Use this remedy regularly for optimal benefits. Remember to use it at the same time each day as directed. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel well. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick. Do not stop taking this medication without consulting your doctor. It can take up to 3-6 weeks to lower your blood pressure.

Cholestyramine and colestipol can reduce metolazone absorption. If you are taking any of these medicines, take metolazone by mouth separately from cholestyramine for at least 4 hours and from colestipol by at least 2 hours.

If your condition remains the same or gets worse, contact your doctor or pharmacist.

How to store metolazone?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Metolazone dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dose of metolazone for adults?

The usual adult dosage for Hypertension
Initial dose: 2.5 mg once daily (Zaroxolyn) or
0.5 mg once daily (Mykrox).

The usual adult dosage for edema
Initial dose: 5 mg once daily (Zaroxolyn) or
0.5 mg once daily (Mykrox).

What is the dose of metolazone for children?

There is no provision for the dosage of this drug for children. This medicine can be dangerous for children. It is important to understand the safety of drugs before use. Consult your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

In what dosage is metolazone available?

Megestrol is available in the following dosages and forms:
• Tablet, Oral: 2.5 mg, 5 mg, 10 mg.

Metolazone side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to metolazone?

Seek immediate medical help if you experience any of the following signs of an allergic reaction: hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using this drug and call your doctor if you have serious side effects such as:
• dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting
• feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or dizzy
• fast or uneven heart rate
• muscle pain or fatigue
• chest pain
• urinating less than usual or not at all
• numbness or tingling feeling

Mild side effects include:
• dizzy
• headache
• joint pain
• red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or
• blurred vision

Not everyone experiences this side effect. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have any concerns about side effects, please consult a doctor or pharmacist.

Metolazone Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using metolazone?

Before taking Metolazone, contact your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to metolazone, sulfa drugs, thiazides, other drugs, or any of the ingredients in metolazone tablets. Ask your pharmacist for a list of ingredients.

Contact your doctor and pharmacist about prescription and non-prescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products that you will be using or planning to use. Be sure to mention one of the following: anticoagulants (blood thinners) such as warfarin (Coumadin); aspirin and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn); corticotropin; digoxin (Lanoxin); furosemide (Lasix); insulin or other drugs for diabetes; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for asthma and colds; medicine for pain or spasms; methenamine (Hiprex, Urex); other medicines for high blood pressure; sedative; oral steroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexona), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and prednisone (Deltasone); sedative; and vitamin D. Your doctor may need to change the dose of your medication or monitor you carefully for side effects.

Tell your doctor if you have kidney or liver failure. Your doctor may tell you not to take metolazone.

Tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a chronic inflammatory condition), or parathyroid, heart, kidney, or liver disease.

Call your doctor if you are pregnant, planning to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking metolazone, contact your doctor.

If you are having surgery, including dental surgery, tell your doctor or dentist that you are taking metolazone.

Metolazone may make you dizzy or drowsy. Do not drive a car or operate machinery until you know how this drug affects you.

Ask your doctor for advice regarding the safe use of alcoholic beverages while you are on metolazone treatment. Alcohol can make the side effects of metolazone worse.

Plan to avoid unnecessary exposure or prolonged sunlight and wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen. Metolazone can make your skin sensitive to sunlight.

Metolazone can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking metolazone. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Is metolazone safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is pregnancy risk category B according to the Food and Drug Administration (FDA).

The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:
• A = no risk
• B = no risk in some studies
• C = there may be some risks
• D = positive evidence of risk
• X = contraindicated
• N = unknown

Metolazone Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with metolazone?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

• lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith);
• digoxin (Lanoxin)
• methenamine (Hiprex, Mandelamine, Urex)
• steroids (prednisone and others
• insulin or diabetes medications you're taking
• blood thinners such as warfarin (Coumadin)
• furosemide (Lasix) or other blood pressure medication
• salicylates such as aspirin, Disalcid, Doan's Pills, Dolobid, Salflex, TRICOSAL, and others; or
• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Felden), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and etc.

Can food or alcohol interact with metolazone?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or around meals at certain foods or foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions can interact with metolazone?

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of this drug. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• anuria (unable to pass stool)
  • liver disease (eg, hepatic coma) - should not be used in patients with this condition
  • asthma
  • diabetes
  • gout
  Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood)
  Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood)
  Hypoclemia (low calcium levels in the blood)
  Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood)
  Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood)
  Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood)
  • systemic lupus erythematosus - use with caution. This medicine can make this condition worse
  • Kidney illness
  • liver disease - use with caution.

The side effects of these drugs can increase due to the slower release of drugs from the body.

Metolazone overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

Symptoms of an overdose, namely:
• dizzy
• sleepy
• fainting
• difficulty breathing
• stomach ache
• comma

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.

Hello Health Group does not provide medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.