Ziac

Bisoprolol – Hydrochlorothiazide, also known and sold under the trade name of Ziac, is a product which includes a combination of two medications:

• Bisoprolol, which is a beta blocker, used in the treatment of high blood pressure, because of its effect to block a certain substance, known as epinephrine;
• Hydrochlorothiazide, which is a diuretic, used also in the treatment of high blood pressure, among other conditions, because of its effect to increase the amount of urine that the body produces.

This combination is used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension), and preventing strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems by lowering the blood pressure. This medication is available in the form of a tablet.

Before using Ziac, you must know all about the risks and complications associated with it. For the decision to be make, the beneficial effects must outweigh the potential risks. This is a decision that you and your doctor, together, will have to make.

During the consultations, it is important to inform the doctor about:

Allergies: Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed. Also, inform the healthcare professional about any allergic reactions to any specific kind of food, dye, fabric and etc.

Pediatric: There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in pediatric patients. This medication is not recommended to be used within children. It could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Geriatric: Proper studies done have shown that there are no age-connected risks when this medication has been used in geriatric patients. However, because of the increased risk of kidney and heart problems within geriatric patients, this medication must be used with extra caution.

Pregnancy: Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy.

It is unknown how this medication would affect the fetus. This medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy. It could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Breastfeeding: Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding. There are no studies done that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers. It is unknown if and how would this medication affect the infant. This medication is not recommended to be used in nursing mothers. It could be used only in cases where the beneficial effects outweigh the potential risks.

Drug interactions: Inform the doctor if you are currently using any other medications, prescribed or no prescribed, even vitamins and herbal tea. This is important because certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with others, due to the possibility that certain interactions could occur.

However, sometimes the doctor may decide to use a specific type of a combination, including two or more medications, to treat your condition, if he or she considers that combination to prove as beneficial regarding your condition.

Other interactions: Certain medications are not recommended to be used in a combination with specific type of food, tobacco, and alcohol. Because of this, it is important to get informed if there is a need for you to follow a specific type of diet and discontinue your use of tobacco and/or alcohol during the treatment.

Other medical problems: Inform the doctor about your medical history, and any other medical problems and conditions from the past or at the present.

Especially, inform the doctor if there are any of the following conditions present:

• angina
• blood vessel disease
• bradycardia
• heart block
• heart failure
• diabetes
• hyperthyroidism
• hypoglycemia
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lung disease

To use Ziac properly, you must follow all instructions given by your doctor. This medication is in the form of a tablet, for oral use. Swallow the tablet whole. Do not crush, break, or chew the tablet.

The dose is individual for every patient, prescribed by the doctor and based on your weight, condition and the prognosis of the treatment. In order to get the most beneficial effects from its use, remember to take each dose regularly.

In case you forget a dose, take it as soon as you remember. Do not double to catch up. This medication is harmful in case of an overdose. If an overdose is suspected, contact the doctor as soon as possible.

Before using Ziac, there are some precautions you must take. Visit your doctor regularly, at your scheduled appointments so that he or she would be able to track your condition and make any adjustments if needed.

These adjustments may refer to the dose – e.g. the doctor may decide to increase or decrease your dose, or to the treatment itself – the doctor may decide to discontinue your treatment if there are any serious side effects present that would worsen your condition, or if your condition does not improve.

Inform the doctor about any allergic reactions to any kind of medications, prescribed or no prescribed.

This is important because this medication may contain inactive substances that could cause certain interactions to occur. Inform the doctor if you are currently pregnant or have any plans about pregnancy in the near future.

This is important because this medication is not recommended to be used during pregnancy, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used during pregnancy. The doctor may advise you to start using a proven form of birth control to help prevent pregnancy during the treatment.

Inform the doctor if you are currently breastfeeding.

This is important because this medication is not recommended to be used within nursing mothers, due to the lack of studies that would confirm the safety of this medication to be used in nursing mothers. This medication may cause dizziness to occur. Avoid driving and any other activities that require alertness during the treatment.

Along with the treatment with this medication, the doctor will probably advise you to start to follow a specific diet with decreased level of sodium (salt) and start everyday exercises to increase your activity.

As with many medications, there are several potential side effects associated with Ziac. These side effects do not occur within all patient, also they could be mild or more serious.

However, it is essential to get informed about the potential side effects, so that you would be able to notice their presence and inform the doctor about their presence for further directions.

Common side effects:

• tiredness
• slow heartbeat
• diarrhea
• dizziness

These side effects are common and are not considered as serious. However, if their presence persists or worsens, inform the doctor as soon as possible.

Serious side effects:

• very slow heartbeat
• severe dizziness
• fainting
• blue fingers/toes
• trouble breathing
• mood changes

These are serious side effects whose presence must be reported to the doctor right away. A very serious allergic reaction to this medication is not common.

However, if you notice any of the following symptoms, inform the doctor as soon as possible:

• skin rash
• itching/swelling of the face/tongue/hands/feet
• severe dizziness
• trouble breathing