Sofvasc HCT 5mg/160mg/12.5mg tablet

Introduction

Expert Advice

• Take with meals.
• Change position slowly.
• Include potassium rich foods in diet such as bananas and orange juice.
• If you have diabetes, check blood sugar level regularly and inform prescriber about changes.

Primary Uses

Indications

This medication is used for lowering blood pressure in hypertensive (increased blood pressure) patients and for treating edema (excess fluid in the body) associated with heart disease. It can also be used to treat Nephrotic Syndrome.

Side Effects

Patients administered with this medicine may experience anorexia (eating disorder characterized by abnormally low body weight) and epigastric distress (pain right below ribs, in the upper abdomen (stomach area).

Contraindications

This medicine is contraindicated in patients suffering from renal (kidney) decompensation and anuria (non-passage of urine).

FAQS

What is hydrochlorothiazide and how does it work?

It is a diuretic which helps to lower the blood pressure by removing extra water and certain electrolytes from your body. It also relaxes the blood vessels and improves blood flow. It is also used to treat excessive accumulation of fluid in the body.

Is this medicine a statin?

No. This medicine is a derivative of chlorothiazide.

Is this drug bad for my kidneys?

No this drug is safe to use in kidneys. Consult your doctor if you have any kidney disease, he will alter the dosage of this medicine accordingly.

When is the right time to take this medicine?

It advised to take this medicine with breakfast in the morning to avoid excessive urination at night.

Can I use this medicine during pregnancy?

Yes, you may use this drug in pregnancy but with your doctor’s advice.

Is this medicine safe to use in breast-feeding?

No, this medicine is not recommended for use during lactation.

I have diabetes, can I use this medication?

This medicine increases blood glucose levels in patients with diabetes. It is therefore advised to use this drug cautiously and upon doctor’s advice only. Regular glucose monitoring is necessary with the use of this drug.

Can this medicine be used if I have a liver failure?

This medicine should be used with caution in patients suffering from any liver disease. If you experience any symptoms of jaundice please consult your doctor.

Which medicines should be avoided with Amlodidpine?

As per FDA recommendation, simvastatin dosage should be limited to 20 mg daily while taking amlodipine. Also, all the CYP3A4 enzyme inhibitors like diltiazem, ketoconazole, itraconazole & ritonavir should be avoided while taking amlodipine.

I have been experiencing swelling in hands and foot since I started using the medicine. I amconcerned whether this swelling will persist?

You don’t need to worry about the swelling, as it is one of the very common adverse effects of the drug. This will go off once you withdraw its use. But you still need to consult your physician if the condition is getting worse.

When is it safe to discontinue the medicine?

You are not advised to do so abruptly nor are you supposed to make this decision by yourself. Consult with your physician, who will most probably advise for a gradual withdrawal. This is done to avoid the chest pain and relapse of high blood pressure, which is usually observed in such scenarios.

In what forms is the medicine available?

It is available in tablet, drops and I/V (intravenous) forms.

I am a patient of dialysis and have a history of getting treated for hepatitis C too. So, is the medicine safe for me?

No, the drug is not safe for any kind of kidney or liver disease. Consult your physician for an alternative.

What is the best time to take this medicine?

It doesn’t really matter at what time of the day you take amlodipine, but it is best to take it at the exact time every day, for more even blood levels & more effectiveness of the medicine.

Why taking this medicine at night is useful?

New research shows that administering blood pressure medicines at bedtime effectively helps to reduce your risk of illness or death due to blood vessel & heart disease. Timings are important as BP follows a daily rhythm. It is high during the day & falls at nighttime.

How much does this medicine help reduce blood pressure?

It is seen that titration of amlodipine from 5-10 mg every day in patients not responding to the treatment with 5 mg dose showed significant decrease in BP.

How does this medication work?

This medication works by relaxing the blood vessels so that blood can flow easily.

Should I take this medication same time everyday?

Try to take this medication same time everyday?

Is this medication hard on the kidneys?

If this medication continues for a long time, it may damage the blood vessels of heart and kidneys.

Can I eat bananas while taking this medicine?

Avoid potassium-rich foods like bananas, oranges, and green leafy vegetables as this medicine already raises potassium concentrations in the body.

Will this medicine make me sleepy?

Yes, this medicine might make you sleepy. Using alcohol along with this medicine will worsen the symptom. Avoid driving.

Can children take this medicine?

This medicine should not be given to a child younger than 6 years.