Dutoprol

Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that belongs to a group of medicines called thiazide diuretics. Metoprolol is a type of medicine known as a beta-blocker.

Dutoprol is a combination medicine that helps treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

Dutoprol may also be used for other reasons not mentioned in this medication guide.

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

You may take Dutoprol with (or immediately after food) or without food.

Some things can cause your blood pressure to get too low. This includes vomiting, diarrhea, or heavy sweating. Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. You may also need frequent blood tests.

If you are diabetic, check your blood sugar carefully. Taking Dutoprol can make it harder for you to tell when you have low blood sugar. Do not change your medication dose or schedule without your doctor's advice.

If you need surgery, tell the surgeon ahead of time that you are using Dutoprol.

Keep using Dutoprol as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Do not stop using Dutoprol suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause serious or life-threatening heart problems. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

You should not use Dutoprol if you have a serious heart condition like "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), slow heartbeats that have made you faint, or if your heart cannot pump blood properly.

You should not use Dutoprol if you cannot urinate.

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may lead to serious or life-threatening heart problems. Follow your doctor's instructions on how to reduce your dose safely.

You should not use this medicine if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or metoprolol, or if you have:

• a serious heart condition such as "sick sinus syndrome" or "AV block" (unless you have a pacemaker), or if your heart cannot pump blood properly;
• slow heartbeats that have caused you to faint;
• severe or uncontrolled heart failure;
• an allergy to sulfa drugs; or
• if you are unable to urinate.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• congestive heart failure;
• slow heartbeats;
• blood circulation problems;
• asthma or other breathing disorder;
• peripheral vascular disease such as Raynaud's syndrome;
• diabetes;
• a thyroid disorder;
• kidney disease (or if you are on dialysis);
• pheochromocytoma (tumor of the adrenal gland);
• glaucoma;
• lupus;
• gout; or
• high cholesterol or triglycerides.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.

Dutoprol is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Dutoprol may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor right away if you have:

• bronchospasm (wheezing, chest tightness, trouble breathing);
• slow heart rate, weak pulse, fainting, slow breathing (breathing may stop);
• blurred vision, tunnel vision, eye pain, or seeing halos around lights;
• low potassium level -- leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or feeling weak; or
• low sodium level -- headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady.

Common side effects of Dutoprol may include:

• feeling tired; or
• stuffy nose, sore throat.

This is not a complete list of side effects, and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Take the medicine as soon as you remember, but skip the missed dose if it is close to the time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Seek emergency medical help or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Symptoms of an overdose may include a fast or slow heart rate, difficulty breathing, or fainting.

Do not drive or do anything dangerous until you know how Dutoprol will affect you. Your reactions could be affected. Do not get up too quickly from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Drinking alcohol with this medicine can lead to side effects.

Do not become overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's advice about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as dangerous as not drinking enough.

Hydrochlorothiazide may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outside. Your doctor may want you to have regular skin examinations.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• cholestyramine, colestipol;
• clonidine;
• digoxin;
• diltiazem, verapamil;
• epinephrine (Epi-Pen);
• lithium;
• an MAO inhibitor--isocarboxazid, linezolid, methylene blue injection, phenelzine, rasagiline, selegiline, tranylcypromine, and others; or
• an NSAID (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug)--aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect Dutoprol, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.