Uni Serp

 
Generic Name: hydralazine/hydrochlorothiazide/reserpine

Brands: Diuretic Ap-Es, Hydrap-ES, Ser-Ap-Es, Serpazide, Tri-Hydroserpine, Uni Serp

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What is the most important information I should know about Uni Serp?

· Stand up slowly from a sitting or lying position. Uni Serp may make you feel dizzy.

· Do not stop taking Uni Serp suddenly. Even if you feel better, you need this medication to control your condition. Stopping suddenly could cause severely high blood pressure, anxiety, and other dangerous side effects.

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. Uni Serp may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

· Use alcohol cautiously. Alcohol may increase drowsiness and dizziness while you are taking this medication.

 

What is Uni Serp?

· Hydralazine is a vasodilator. It lowers blood pressure by relaxing (widening) blood vessels (veins and arteries) and making it easier for your heart to pump.

· Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill). It helps to lower your blood pressure and decrease edema (swelling or water retention) by increasing the amount of salt and water you lose in your urine.

· Reserpine lowers blood pressure by decreasing the levels of certain chemicals in your blood. This allows your blood vessels (veins and arteries) to relax and your heart to beat more slowly and easily.

· The combination, Uni Serp, is used to lower high blood pressure.

· Uni Serp may also be used for purposes other than those listed in this medication guide.

 

What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Uni Serp?

· Do not take Uni Serp without first talking to your doctor if you     ·have an allergy to sulfa-based drugs such as sulfa antibiotics;     ·have coronary heart disease or mitral valvular rheumatic heart disease;     ·have peptic ulcer disease (stomach ulcers);     ·have ulcerative colitis;     ·are suffering from depression (especially if you have suicidal thoughts);     ·are receiving electroconvulsive shock therapy; or     ·have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI) such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate) in the last 14 days.

· You may not be able to take Uni Serp if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you     ·have gallstones,     ·have kidney or liver disease,     ·have diabetes,     ·have gout,     ·have a collagen vascular disease such as systemic lupus erythematosus,     ·have pancreatitis,     ·have asthma,     ·have any type of heart disease,     ·have had a stroke or a transient ischemic attack (mini-stroke),     ·have high cholesterol or high levels of fat in your blood, or     ·have pulmonary hypertension (a type of lung disease).

· You may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during therapy with Uni Serp if you have any of the conditions listed above.

· Uni Serp is in the FDA pregnancy category C. This means that it is not known whether Uni Serp will harm an unborn baby. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are pregnant.

· Uni Serp passes into breast milk and may harm a nursing infant. Do not take this medication without first talking to your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

· If you are over 60 years of age, you may be more likely to experience side effects from Uni Serp therapy. You may require a lower dose of this medication.

 

How should I take Uni Serp?

· Take the medication exactly as directed. If you do not understand these directions, ask your pharmacist, nurse, or doctor to explain them to you.

· Take each dose with a full glass of water.

· Take the medication with food or milk if it upsets your stomach.

· Do not suddenly stop taking Uni Serp. Stopping suddenly could make your condition much worse or cause very serious side effects. Talk to your doctor before you stop taking this medication.

· Store this medication at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

 

What happens if I miss a dose?

· Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the dose you missed and take only your next regularly scheduled dose. Do not take a double dose of this medication.

 

What happens if I overdose?

· Seek emergency medical attention.

· Symptoms of an overdose include low blood pressure (fainting, dizziness, weakness), slow pulse or an irregular heartbeat, low body temperature, diarrhea, increased urination, vomiting, headache, flushing of the skin, and slow breathing.

 

What should I avoid while taking Uni Serp?

· Use caution when driving, operating machinery, or performing other hazardous activities. This medicine may cause dizziness. If you experience dizziness, avoid these activities.

· Avoid alcohol while taking Uni Serp. Alcohol may increase the drowsiness caused by this medication and may increase dizziness. Use caution even with small amounts of alcohol.

· Use caution when rising from a sitting or lying position, especially first thing in the morning. You may become dizzy while taking Uni Serp, and you may fall and injure yourself.

· Do not let yourself become overheated in hot weather or during exercise, and use caution if you have a fever. Dehydration may increase the effects of Uni Serp, and you may become very dizzy.

· Avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight. Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the sensitivity of your skin to sunlight. Use a sunscreen and wear protective clothing when exposure to the sun is unavoidable.

 

What are the possible side effects of Uni Serp?

· If you experience any of the following serious side effects, stop taking Uni Serp and seek emergency medical attention:     ·an allergic reaction (difficulty breathing, closing of your throat, swelling of your lips, tongue or face, hives);     ·irregular or fast heartbeats or a fluttering feeling in your chest;     ·new or worsening chest pain;     ·heart failure (shortness of breath, swelling of ankles or legs, sudden weight gain of 2 pounds in one day or 5 pounds in one week);     ·unusual fatigue or confusion;     ·abnormal bleeding or bruising;     ·yellow skin or eyes;     ·blood in your urine or stools;     ·little or no urine;     ·numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness of your arms or legs; or     ·fainting.

· Other, less serious side effects are more likely to occur. Continue to take Uni Serp and talk to your doctor if you experience     ·mild fatigue, drowsiness, or dizziness;     ·headache;     ·water retention (swelling of the hands, feet, or ankles);     ·anxiety, depression, or nightmares;     ·diarrhea, nausea, vomiting , abdominal pain;     ·stuffy nose or a dry mouth;     ·muscle weakness or cramps;     ·increased hunger, thirst, or urination;     ·a rash;     ·sensitivity to sunlight; or     ·impotence or difficulty ejaculating.

· Side effects other than those listed here may also occur. Talk to your doctor about any side effect that seems unusual or that is especially bothersome.

 

What other drugs will affect Uni Serp?

· Do not take this medication if you have taken a monoamine oxidase inhibitor (MAOI), such as isocarboxazid (Marplan), phenelzine (Nardil), or tranylcypromine (Parnate), in the last 14 days.

· Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are taking any of the following drugs:     ·digoxin (Lanoxin, Lanoxicaps);     ·quinidine (Cardioquin, others);     ·lithium (Lithobid, Eskalith, others);     ·a tricyclic antidepressant such as amitriptyline (Elavil, Endep), imipramine (Tofranil), nortriptyline (Pamelor), doxepin (Sinequan), and others;     ·a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), ketoprofen (Orudis, Orudis KT, Oruvail), naproxen (Naprosyn, Anaprox, Aleve), and others;     ·an antidiabetic medicine such as glipizide (Glucotrol), glyburide (Micronase, Glynase, Diabeta), and others; or     ·a steroid medicine such as prednisone (Orasone, Deltasone), prednisolone (Delta Cortef, Prelone), methylprednisolone (Medrol), and others.

· You may not be able to take Uni Serp, or you may require a dosage adjustment or special monitoring during your treatment if you are taking any of the medicines listed above.

· Also, before taking Uni Serp, tell your doctor if you are taking any medicine to treat high blood pressure, water retention, heart problems, prostate problems, or another condition. Some medicines used to treat these conditions may interact with Uni Serp, and the interaction may increase the effects on your heart.

· Uni Serp may increase the effects of other drugs that cause drowsiness, including antidepressants, alcohol, antihistamines, sedatives (used to treat insomnia), pain relievers, anxiety medicines, and muscle relaxants. Tell your doctor about all medicines that you are taking, and do not take any medicine unless your doctor approves.

· Drugs other than those listed here may also interact with Uni Serp or affect your condition. Talk to your doctor and pharmacist before taking any prescription or over-the-counter medicines.

 

Where can I get more information?

· Your pharmacist has additional information about Uni Serp written for health professionals that you may read.

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