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Generic Name: Indapamide
Brand Name(s):
Information updated: April 1, 2000
Overview
Lozol is a new kind of diuretic or water pill. It is used to treat high
blood pressure and congestive heart failure as well as certain other serious
conditions in which fluid builds up in body tissues.
Unlike many other
diuretics, Lozol does not appear to raise cholesterol levels. This may be an
important benefit for some people.
Side Effects and Interactions
People on Lozol may feel dizzy or faint if they
stand up rapidly. Older people especially may need to take care to avoid falling
when they first get up.
Other adverse reactions to be alert for include
headache, tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, anxiety, rash, itching, insomnia,
depression, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, unexplained sore throat with
fever, bruising, blurred vision, loss of appetite, increases in blood sugar,
gout, sexual difficulties and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.
Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.
Lozol can
interact with a number of other medications. Lithium can become significantly
more toxic if you combine it with Lozol.
Lanoxin
and other digitalis heart medicines may cause abnormal heart rhythms if
potassium levels are decreased by diuretics like Lozol.
Careful
monitoring of serum potassium is essential to prevent this serious
complication.
Lozol is sometimes prescribed together with other drugs
that lower blood pressure, and may increase their action. Close monitoring of
blood pressure is extremely important while such a regimen is beginning.
Certain diabetes medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and
antibiotics may cause complications in combination with Lozol.
Medications such as Lozol and other potassium-wasting diuretics are
probably incompatible with the herb cascara sagrada, at least if it were used more than very occasionally. Cascara
sagrada, like other strong laxatives, may reduce the absorption of other
medicines taken orally.
Potassium-depleting medicines such as Lozol may
interact with the herb senna
to increase potassium loss, with consequently greater risk of heart rhythm
disturbance.
Over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines could also pose
problems.
Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure this
diuretic is safe with any other drugs or herbs you take.
Special Precautions
Like many diuretics, Lozol depletes the body of potassium and other important minerals.
People taking this medicine may need to include potassium-rich foods in their diet. Vegetables such as potatoes, beets, brussels sprouts, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, peppers and squash are good sources of potassium.
So are apricots, strawberries, bananas, oranges, peaches and plums. Most fish also provide good quantities of this mineral.
Some people may not be able to maintain adequate potassium levels even with a diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables. Periodic blood tests are crucial to monitor potassium levels in the body.
If such a test shows that potassium levels are low, your physician may recommend a potassium-based salt substitute you can cook with or he may prescribe a potassium supplement.
People who are allergic to sulfa drugs or who have kidney or liver disease will probably have to avoid Lozol.
Taking the Medicine
Because Lozol is likely to cause increased frequency of urination, the normal recommendation is to take one dose in the morning. This way the natural effect of the diuretic may be less bothersome.
Joe Graedon is a pharmacologist. Teresa Graedon holds a doctorate in medical anthropology and is a nutrition expert. Their syndicated radio show can be heard on public radio.
© 2000