Health Centres - Aprinox
How does it work?
Aprinox tablets contain the active ingredient bendroflumethiazide (previously called bendrofluazide in the UK), which is a type of medicine known as a thiazide diuretic. (NB. Bendroflumethiazide is also available without a brand name, ie as the generic medicine.)
What is it used for?
- Excess fluid retention causing swelling (oedema) due to any cause
-
High blood pressure
- Suppression of milk production (lactation) in women
Warning!
- It is recommended that blood tests are performed regularly to monitor the level of potassium in the blood. If this level is too low, potassium supplements may be required.
- If you experience any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine you should inform your doctor promptly, so that the amount of fluids and salts in your body can be checked: thirst, lethargy, confusion, weakness, drowsiness, muscle cramps, scanty production of urine, abnormal heart rhythm, seizures, nausea and vomiting.
- As diuretics cause your kidneys to produce more urine, you may prefer to take this medicine in the morning rather than before going to bed, as this will reduce the likelihood of you needing to get up in the night to visit the toilet. Seek further advice from your doctor or pharmacist.
Use with caution in
-
Diabetes
- Elderly people
-
Gout
- Kidney disease
- Liver disease
- Low blood potassium levels (hypokalaemia)
- Allergy to thiazides
-
Diabetic keto-acidosis
- Failure of the kidneys to produce urine (anuria)
- High levels of calcium in the blood (hypercalcaemia)
-
Inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands
- Severe kidney disease
- Severe liver disease
This medicine should not be used if you are allergic to one or any of its ingredients. Please inform your doctor or pharmacist if you have previously experienced such an allergy.
Pregnancy and Breastfeeding
Certain medicines should not be used during pregnancy or breastfeeding. However, other medicines may be safely used in pregnancy or breastfeeding providing the benefits to the mother outweigh the risks to the unborn baby. Always inform your doctor if you are pregnant or planning a pregnancy, before using any medicine.
- This medicine should not be used in pregnancy. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
- This medicine passes into breast milk. It is recommended that mothers should avoid using this medicine while breastfeeding. Seek medical advice from your doctor.
Side effects
Medicines and their possible side effects can affect individual people in different ways. The following are some of the side effects that are known to be associated with this medicine. Because a side effect is stated here, it does not mean that all people using this medicine will experience that or any side effect.
- Thirst
- Muscle cramps
- Blood disorders
- Disturbances of the gut such as diarrhoea, constipation, nausea, vomiting or abdominal pain
- High blood glucose level (hyperglycaemia)
- High blood uric acid level (hyperuricaemia) which can cause kidney problems and gout
- A drop in blood pressure that occurs when going from lying down to sitting or standing, which results in dizziness and lightheadedness (postural hypotension)
- Disturbances in the levels of chemical components (electrolytes) in the blood
- Increased production of urine (polyuria)
- Rash
- Impotence
The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer.
© Copyright 1998 - 2008 NetDoctor.co.uk - All rights reserved 
Font size
Mail
My account
Help
Community
Print now
Send to a friend
Related articles
Related products
