Metolazone

Metolazone Tablets are a diuretic indicated for the treatment of salt and water retention including edema accompanying congestive heart failure, and edema accompanying renal diseases, including the nephrotic syndrome and states of diminished renal function. Metolazone tablets are also indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs of a different class. Mykrox tablets, a more rapidly available form of metolazone, are intended for the treatment of new patients with mild to moderate hypertension. Metolazone is available in generic form. Common side effects of metolazone tend to be mild and temporary and include:

• chest pain/discomfort,
• dizziness upon standing,
• palpitations,
• fainting,
• nerve pain,
• spinning sensation (vertigo),
• numbness and tingling,
• depression,
• impotence,
• dizziness,
• lightheadedness,
• drowsiness,
• fatigue,
• weakness,
• restlessness (sometimes resulting in insomnia),
• headache,
• dermatitis (photosensitivity),
• hives,
• itching,
• skin rashes,
• hepatitis,
• jaundice,
• vomiting,
• nausea,
• upset stomach,
• diarrhea,
• constipation,
• loss of appetite,
• abdominal bloating,
• abdominal pain,
• anemia,
• joint pain,
• acute gouty attacks,
• muscle cramps or spasm,
• blurred vision,
• chills, or
• dry mouth.

The usual dose of metolazone to treat edema of cardiac failure or renal disease is 5 to 20 mg once daily. The usual dose of metolazone to treat mild to moderate essential hypertension is 2.5 to 5 mg once daily. Metolazone may interact with lithium, furosemide, other antihypertensive drugs, diuretics, alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics, digitalis, corticosteroids or ACTH, curariform drugs, salicylates and other nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sympathomimetics, insulin and oral antidiabetic agents, methenamine, and anticoagulants. Tell your doctor all medications and supplements you use. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant before using metolazone. Metolazone passes into breast milk. Because of the potential for adverse effects on nursing infants breastfeeding while using metolazone is not recommended.

Our Metolazone Tablets Side Effects Drug Center provides a comprehensive view of available drug information on the potential side effects when taking this medication.

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

Call your doctor at once if you have:

• chest pain;
• pounding heartbeats or fluttering in your chest;
• easy bruising or bleeding;
• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;
• liver problems--nausea, upper stomach pain, itching, tiredness, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;
• low levels of sodium in the body--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;
• other signs of an electrolyte imbalance--dry mouth, nausea, vomiting, weakness, drowsiness, lack of energy, muscle pain, little or no urination, or feeling restless; or
• severe skin reaction--fever, sore throat, swelling in your face or tongue, burning in your eyes, skin pain followed by a red or purple skin rash that spreads (especially in the face or upper body) and causes blistering and peeling.

Common side effects may include:

• dizziness, spinning sensation;
• drowsiness, tiredness;
• depressed mood;
• muscle or joint pain;
• numbness or tingly feeling;
• nausea, stomach pain, loss of appetite; or
• diarrhea, constipation.

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 FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Read the entire detailed patient monograph for Metolazone (Metolazone Tablets)