Lozol

Lozol is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure. Lozol belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics ("water pills") which help the body get rid of excess fluid by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once daily, with or without food.

Common side effects of Lozol include headache, muscle cramps, and fatigue. This medication can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Lozol is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Aventis Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

• Sanofi-Aventis U.S. LLC

Serious side effects can occur. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

• headache
• dizziness
• fatigue
• weakness
• loss of energy
• muscle cramps or spasm
• numbness
• nervousness

This is not a complete list of Lozol side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• other medications for high blood pressure
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• probenecid (Benemid)
• digoxin

This is not a complete list of Lozol drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Serious side effects can occur including:

• worsening of kidney disease
• worsening of gout
• worsening of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE). Medications like Lozol have exacerbated SLE.
• increased blood glucose levels
• electrolyte imbalance. This medication may affect electrolytes including sodium and potassium. Your doctor will check these levels using a blood test. Warning signs of electrolyte imbalance include:
  • dry mouth
  • thirst
  • weakness
  • lack of energy
  • drowsiness
  • restlessness
  • muscle pains or cramps
  • muscle fatigue
  • low blood pressure
  • decreased urination
  • fast heart rate
  • nausea and vomiting
• impaired liver function. This medication should be used with caution in patients with liver disease.

Do not take Lozol if you:

• are allergic to Lozol or any other ingredient in Lozol 
• are not able to produce urine

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Lozol, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Lozol, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have liver disease
• have kidney disease
• have diabetes
• have gout
• have systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE)
• have electrolyte imbalances
• are allergic to any medications
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Lozol falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Lozol. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Lozol crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Lozol.

• Take Lozol exactly as prescribed.
• This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily.
• Lozol can be taken with or without food.
• Because Lozol increases urination, it is best taken in the morning to avoid having to get up in the night to urinate.
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose.

Take Lozol exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The Lozol dose your doctor recommends will be based on:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

High Blood Pressure

The adult starting Lozol dose for high blood pressure is 1.25 mg as a single daily dose taken in the morning. If the response to 1.25 mg is not satisfactory after four weeks, the daily dose may be increased to 2.5 mg taken once daily. If the response to 2.5 mg is not satisfactory after four weeks, the daily dose may be increased to 5.0 mg taken once daily, but adding another blood pressure medication should be considered.

Edema (fluid retention) of Congestive Heart Failure

The adult starting Lozol dose for fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure is 2.5 mg as a single daily dose taken in the morning. If the response to 2.5 mg is not satisfactory after one week, the daily dose may be increased to 5.0 mg taken once daily.

If you take too much Lozol call your doctor or Poison Contol Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at room temperature between 20 and 25°C (68 and 77°F).
• Keep out of the reach of children.