Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Spironolactone is a potassium-sparing diuretic that also prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low.

The combination of hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone is used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or a kidney disorder called nephrotic syndrome. This medication also treats high blood pressure (hypertension).

Hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.

You should not use this medication if you have kidney disease, urination problems, or high levels of potassium in your blood. Do not use potassium supplements while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have heart or liver disease, glaucoma, diabetes, a breathing disorder, gout, lupus, a pancreas disorder, an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin. Tell your doctor if you use a steroid or another blood pressure medicine.

Drinking alcohol can increase certain side effects of hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone.

Avoid a diet high in salt. Too much salt will cause your body to retain water and can make this medication less effective.

Do not use salt substitutes or low-sodium milk products that contain potassium. These products could cause your potassium levels to get too high while you are taking hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

This medication may impair your thinking or reactions. Be careful if you drive or do anything that requires you to be alert.

You should not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or spironolactone, or if you have:

• kidney disease or are unable to urinate;

• high potassium levels (hyperkalemia); or

• if you are taking potassium supplements.

To make sure you can safely take hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone, tell your doctor if you have any of these other conditions:

• diabetes;

• heart disease;

• cirrhosis or other liver disease;

• glaucoma;

• a breathing disorder;

• gout;

• lupus;

• an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin;

• a pancreas disorder; or

• if you are using another blood pressure medication or a steroid.

FDA pregnancy category C. It is not known whether hydrochlorothiazide and spironolactone will harm an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant while using this medication.

Hydrochlorothiazide passes into breast milk and could cause harm to a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.