How does it work?

Xipamide is known as a thiazide diuretic. Thiazide diuretics act in the kidney to remove water from the blood into the urine, by causing an increase in the removal of salts such as potassium and sodium from the blood. This removal of salts causes water to be drawn out of the blood and into the kidneys, where it is then excreted in the urine. Removing water from the blood decreases the volume of fluid circulating through the blood vessels. Decreasing the volume of fluid results in a drop in the pressure of the fluid within the blood vessels. This helps to lower high blood pressure. It also decreases the effort required by the heart to pump blood around the body. There are many conditions which may lead to an accumulation of fluid in the body (oedema). Xipamide is commonly used in conditions such as heart failure, where the pumping mechanism of the heart is less effective. It is used to relieve the symptoms of heart failure, such as the shortness of breath seen with fluid on the lungs. Xipamide is also used to remove excess fluid associated with liver disease, kidney disease and swelling of the legs and ankles due to poor blood circulation.

What is it used for?

Excess fluid retention causing swelling (oedema) due to any cause

High blood pressure

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

Diarrhoea

Elderly people

Enlarged prostate gland

Gout

Kidney disease

Liver cirrhosis

Malnutrition

Overproduction of aldosterone, a steroid hormone which regulates salt and water balance (hyperaldosteronism)

Pregnancy

Severe thickening of arterial walls

Vomiting

Not to be used in

Breastfeeding

Liver cirrhosis that is causing the patient to become unconscious(precomatose state)

Severe kidney disease

Severely low concentrations of salts in the blood (severe electrolyte depletion)

Untreated disease state in which there is inadequate production of natural steroid hormones by the adrenal glands

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. If you feel you have experienced an allergic reaction, stop using this medicine and inform your doctor or pharmacist immediately.

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.

There is no information available about the safety of this medicine during breastfeeding. For this reason, the manufacturer states that it should not be used during 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.

Low blood potassium level (hypokalaemia)

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

Dizziness

Low blood sodium level (hyponatraemia)

The side effects listed above may not include all of the side effects reported by the drug's manufacturer. For more information about any other possible risks associated with this medicine, please read the information provided with the medicine or consult your doctor or pharmacist.

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