Will Bendroflumethiazide affect my fertility?
There are no studies linking Bendroflumethiazide with a fall in fertility, although having high blood pressure can make both women and men less fertile. In some cases, however, Bendroflumethiazide can affect men’s ability to get an erection. If this happens to you, talk to your GP. They may stop treatment for a few weeks to see if Bendroflumethiazide is the cause.
Will Bendroflumethiazide affect my contraception?
No, Bendroflumethiazide does not reduce the effectiveness of any form of contraception. If you have high blood pressure, however, some forms of hormonal contraception such as the pill and the patch may not be suitable for you. Talk to your GP if you have any concerns.
Pregnancy and Bendroflumethiazide
Bendroflumethiazide is not recommended for use by patients who are pregnant. That’s because the drug can reduce blood flow, cutting down the volume of blood that reaches the baby through the placenta, posing a risk to the baby’s health. Pregnant women with high blood pressure are normally prescribed alternative medicines.
Breastfeeding women are advised not to take Bendroflumethiazide because it can be passed on to the baby in the mother’s milk. Bendroflumethiazide can also reduce the amount of milk produced.
Driving and Bendroflumethiazide
Dizziness can be a side effect of Bendroflumethiazide, so it’s sensible to wait and see how you react to the medicine before driving or operating heavy machinery. If you feel dizzy, do not drive until you feel better.
Drinking and Bendroflumethiazide
Because alcohol can affect your blood pressure, it is advisable to avoid drinking for a few days when you first start taking Bendroflumethiazide. After this, you can drink in moderation (following the national guidelines on alcohol units). If you feel dizzy or dehydrated, it may be best to avoid drinking while you are taking Bendroflumethiazide.
If you have very high blood pressure, you should avoid alcohol because it can raise your blood pressure further.
How to cope with Bendroflumethiazide side effects
Most side effects of Bendroflumethiazide are mild and can be managed effectively.
You may feel more thirsty than usual. Check with your doctor how much water you should be drinking to prevent dehydration, because depending on your condition, drinking too much liquid could be harmful.
Some people experience nausea when they take Bendroflumethiazide, or they may vomit. If this happens to you, avoid rich or spicy foods, and try eating little and often. Small sips of water can also help. See your doctor if symptoms continue for more than a week.
You might have some stomach pain. If this happens, relaxing with a hot water bottle can help to mitigate the pain. Eat little and often, and see your doctor if the pain continues. Any sudden, severe pain should be checked by a doctor immediately.
If you experience diarrhoea, you may be at risk of dehydration, so keep up your fluid intake and check with your doctor how much water you should drink. Medications to treat diarrhoea may interact with Bendroflumethiazide, so do not take anything without speaking to a doctor or pharmacist.
Constipation can be improved by eating plenty of fruit, vegetables and fibre-rich foods, and drinking water. Regular exercise can also help, and this doesn’t have to be strenuous – a daily walk can be enough to help your digestive system.
Some people lose their appetite when they start taking Bendroflumethiazide. If this happens to you, it’s important to make sure you are receiving all the nutrients you need. Keep your mealtimes the same, but eat less if you feel like it. Make sure the meals you do eat are nutritious, and snack when you feel hungry.
Because Bendroflumethiazide works to reduce your blood pressure, you may experience symptoms like dizziness and faintness, which are signs of low blood pressure. If you feel faint or dizzy, stop what you are doing, and do not drive or operate machinery. Seek medical advice if symptoms continue, as you may need to reduce your dose.
There are some side effects that cannot be managed without medical help. Joint pain can be a symptom of gout, while weight loss, skin infections, bladder infections, thrush, tiredness, blurred vision and thirst together could indicate high blood sugar. If you experience these, or any other painful or worrying symptoms, seek medical advice.
Drug interactions
Other drugs or medicines may interfere with the way that Bendroflumethiazide works, or cause harmful symptoms. Always talk to your doctor if you are taking other prescription or non-prescription drugs, so that they can decide which treatment is safest.
In particular, be aware of the following known drug interactions with Bendroflumethiazide:
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) including Ibuprofen, Naproxen and Aspirin.
- Heart medicines including Amiodarone, Digoxin, Disopyramide, Flecainide and Sotalol
- Antiemetic medicines, including Domperidone, Metoclopramide and Prochlorperazine
- Antidepressant drugs, including Amitriptyline, Citalopram and Venlafaxine
- Mental health treatments, including Chlorpromazine, Pimozide, Trifluoperazine and Lithium
- Asthma treatments, including Formoterol, Salbutamol and Salmeterol
- Allopurinol (used to treat gout)
- Ciclosporin (a treatment for psoriasis and rheumatoid arthritis)
- Medicines used to treat diabetes, including insulin
- Carbamazepine (an epilepsy treatment)
- Corticosteroids and other types of diuretic
- Medicines affecting the levels of salt in your blood, including potassium, sodium, calcium and magnesium
- Calcium and Vitamin D supplements, including Calcitriol and Alfacalcidol.
This is not an exhaustive list, so always seek medical advice if you are taking other medicines or herbal remedies.
Contraindications
Bendroflumethiazide is not suitable for everyone. It should not be taken if you have:
- kidney problems
- liver problems
- gout
- Addison’s disease
- hypercalcaemia (a high level of calcium in the blood)
- hypokalaemia (low levels of potassium in the blood)
- hyponatraemia (low levels of sodium in the blood)
- allergies to other thiazide diuretics
- allergies to any of the ingredients.
Do not take Bendroflumethiazide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Bendroflumethiazide side effects
As with all medications, some people may experience side effects when taking Bendroflumethiazide. These are usually mild, and can include:
- Dry mouth and feelings of thirst, because your body is expelling more fluid than usual.
- Nausea and / or vomiting
- Stomach pain
- Joint pain
- Diarrhoea or constipation
- Feelings of dizziness or faintness, which could indicate low blood pressure
- Loss of appetite
- Weight loss, bladder or skin infections, thrush, blurred vision, tiredness and blurred vision. Together, these may indicate a problem with your blood sugar.
Most side effects will subside as your body adjusts to the medicine. If you are experiencing prolonged unpleasant side effects, see your GP. They may suggest reducing your dose, or trying an alternative medication that may suit you better.
Serious side effects of Bendroflumethiazide are rare. If you experience any of the following symptoms, seek medical help immediately.
- Blood problems, such as unexplained bruising or bleeding
- Severe stomach pain, especially if it comes on suddenly.
- Signs of jaundice, including yellowed skin or eyes, dark-coloured urine and pale faeces.
- Symptoms of dehydration, such as dark-coloured urine, extreme thirst, feeling faint and urinating less than 4 times a day.
- Symptoms of anaphylaxis (a severe allergic reaction), such as a skin rash, wheezing, tightness in the chest or throat or difficulty breathing, or swollen lips, face, tongue or throat.
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