Uniretic Tablet: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects, Precautions and Alternates

Quick overview

Uniretic Tablet is a combination medicine containing moexipril hydrochloride, an ACE inhibitor, and hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic. It is used to treat high blood pressure and is typically used only after other medicines have not worked or have caused unwanted side effects. It works by relaxing blood vessels and helping the body remove excess salt and water.

What is Uniretic Tablet

Uniretic is a combination medicine that contains two drugs: moexipril, which is an ACE inhibitor, and hydrochlorothiazide, which is a water pill (diuretic). It is used to treat high blood pressure.

Uniretic Tablet uses

• Treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension)
• Helps reduce long-term risks linked to uncontrolled hypertension, such as stroke, heart attack, and kidney damage
• Helps remove excess salt and water

Benefits of Uniretic Tablet

• Treats high blood pressure
• Combines an ACE inhibitor and thiazide diuretic
• Helps relax blood vessels
• Helps remove excess sodium and water
• Can improve blood-pressure control when one medicine alone is insufficient
• Helps reduce long-term cardiovascular risk from uncontrolled hypertension

How Uniretic Tablet works

Moexipril blocks a substance in the body that tightens blood vessels, which relaxes the vessels and lowers blood pressure while improving blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that removes extra water from the body by increasing urine flow, which also helps lower blood pressure.

Uniretic Tablet dosage

This medicine should not be the first medicine used to treat high blood pressure; it is meant to be used only after other medicines have not worked or caused unwanted side effects. Take it exactly as directed and keep doctor appointments even if you feel well, since high blood pressure often causes no symptoms. It is best to take this medicine on an empty stomach, at least 1 hour before meals. This medicine does not cure high blood pressure, only controls it, so it must be continued as directed, possibly for life. If you miss a dose, take it as soon as possible, but if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular schedule; do not double doses. Weight control and dietary changes, especially reducing sodium, may also be part of treatment; check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Available forms and strengths

• Tablet

Side effects of Uniretic Tablet

Common

• Dizziness
• Lightheadedness
• Drowsiness
• Headache
• Tiredness
• Blurred vision
• Dry cough
• Decreased sexual ability
• Increased sensitivity to the sun
• Muscle or back pain
• Runny nose
• Sleep problems (insomnia)
• Diarrhea
• Constipation
• Upset stomach
• Skin rash
• Increased sweating

Serious

• Hives, difficulty breathing, swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat (signs of a severe allergic reaction)
• Severe stomach pain (possible sign of intestinal angioedema)
• Eye pain, vision problems, including sudden vision loss or seeing halos around lights
• Little or no urination
• Chest pain, pounding or fluttering heartbeat, irregular heart rate
• Swelling, weight gain, shortness of breath
• Pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, sudden weakness, ill feeling
• Fever, chills, sore throat, mouth sores, trouble swallowing (possible signs of low white blood cells)
• Slow heart rate, weak pulse, muscle weakness, tingly feeling, confusion (possible signs of high potassium)
• Extreme thirst, increased urination, leg discomfort, muscle weakness, limp feeling
• Severe headache, confusion, slurred speech, arm or leg weakness, trouble walking, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady, very stiff muscles, high fever, profuse sweating, tremors
• A red or purple skin rash that spreads and causes blistering and peeling
• Seizures

Warnings and precautions

• This medicine can cause swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat (angioedema), which can be life-threatening if it affects the throat and blocks breathing. Seek emergency care right away if this happens.
• This medicine may cause a serious allergic reaction called anaphylaxis, which is life-threatening and needs immediate medical attention.
• Taking this medicine during the second or third trimester of pregnancy can seriously harm or even cause death to an unborn baby.
• Rarely, this medicine has been linked to a serious liver problem that starts with yellowing of the skin or eyes and can progress to severe liver failure and death.
• This medicine can rarely cause a serious drop in white blood cells (agranulocytosis), which increases the risk of dangerous infections, particularly in people with kidney problems or certain autoimmune diseases.
• The hydrochlorothiazide part of this medicine can rarely cause sudden eye problems, including acute nearsightedness and a type of glaucoma that can cause permanent vision loss if not treated quickly.
• This medicine can cause blood pressure to drop too much, especially in people who are dehydrated or already taking water pills, which can lead to fainting or more serious heart and kidney problems.
• This medicine can harm an unborn baby, especially if taken during the second or third trimester, and should be stopped as soon as pregnancy is detected. Use effective birth control while taking it, and tell your doctor right away if you think you might be pregnant.
• It is not known for certain whether this medicine passes into breast milk in amounts that could harm a nursing infant. Your doctor will weigh the benefits against the possible risks before you use it while breastfeeding.
• People with kidney disease should use this medicine with caution, since it can affect kidney function and blood pressure, and elderly patients with reduced kidney function may need a different dose.
• This medicine should be used carefully in people with liver problems or ongoing liver disease, because small changes in body fluid and salt levels can trigger serious complications like hepatic coma.
• Drinking alcohol while taking this medicine can increase the chance of a sudden drop in blood pressure when standing up.
• This medicine can cause dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting, especially when standing up quickly. Know how you react to it before driving, using machinery, or doing anything that could be dangerous if you feel dizzy.

Storage

• Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light
• Keep from freezing
• Keep out of the reach of children
• Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed
• Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use

When to see a doctor

• Get emergency help right away for signs of a severe allergic reaction, such as hives, trouble breathing, or swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Call your doctor right away if you have severe stomach pain, with or without nausea or vomiting, as this could be a sign of a serious swelling reaction inside the abdomen.
• Seek medical help if you faint while taking this medicine, and stop taking it until you talk to your doctor.
• Contact your doctor immediately if you develop a fever, chills, or sore throat, since these could be signs of a serious drop in white blood cells.
• Check with your doctor right away if you notice signs of liver problems, such as dark urine, pale stools, nausea, vomiting, loss of appetite, upper stomach pain, or yellowing of the skin or eyes.
• Get medical attention if you have symptoms of high potassium levels, such as irregular heartbeat, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness, or trouble breathing.
• See a doctor right away if you notice any change in vision, such as blurred vision, difficulty reading, or eye pain, during or after treatment.

Alternatives

• Lisinopril + hydrochlorothiazide
• Enalapril + hydrochlorothiazide
• Losartan + hydrochlorothiazide