Overview
Lozol is a new kind of diuretic or water pill. It is used to treat high blood pressure and congestive heart failure as well as certain other serious conditions in which fluid builds up in body tissues.
Unlike many other diuretics, Lozol does not appear to raise cholesterol levels. This may be an important benefit for some people.
Side Effects and Interactions of Lozol
People on Lozol may feel dizzy or faint if they stand up rapidly. Older people especially may need to take care to avoid falling when they first get up.
Other adverse reactions to be alert for include headache, tiredness, weakness, muscle cramps, anxiety, rash, itching, insomnia, depression, nausea, diarrhea or constipation, unexplained sore throat with fever, bruising, blurred vision, loss of appetite, increases in blood sugar, gout, sexual difficulties and tingling or numbness in hands or feet.
Report any symptoms to your physician promptly.
Lozol can interact with a number of other medications. Lithium can become significantly more toxic if you combine it with Lozol. Lanoxin and other digitalis heart medicines may cause abnormal heart rhythms if potassium levels are decreased by diuretics like Lozol. Careful monitoring of serum potassium is essential to prevent this serious complication.
This medication is sometimes prescribed together with other drugs that lower blood pressure, and may increase their action. Close monitoring of blood pressure is extremely important while such a regimen is beginning.
Certain diabetes medications, cholesterol-lowering drugs, and antibiotics may cause complications in combination with Lozol.
Medications such as Lozol and other potassium-wasting diuretics are probably incompatible with the herb cascara sagrada, at least if it were used more than very occasionally. Cascara sagrada, like other strong laxatives, may reduce the absorption of other medicines taken orally.
Potassium-depleting medicines such as Lozol may interact with the herb senna to increase potassium loss, with consequently greater risk of heart rhythm disturbance.
Over-the-counter cold or allergy medicines could also pose problems.
Check with your doctor and pharmacist to make sure this diuretic is safe with any other drugs or herbs you take.
Special Precautions
Like many diuretics, Lozol depletes the body of potassium and other important minerals. People taking this medicine may need to include potassium-rich foods in their diet. Vegetables such as potatoes, beets, brussels sprouts, spinach, cabbage, broccoli, carrots, peppers and squash are good sources of potassium. So are apricots, strawberries, bananas, oranges, peaches and plums. Most fish also provide good quantities of this mineral.
Some people may not be able to maintain adequate potassium levels even with a diet rich in fish, fruits and vegetables. Periodic blood tests are crucial to monitor potassium levels in the body.
If such a test shows that potassium levels are low, your physician may recommend a potassium-based salt substitute you can cook with or he may prescribe a potassium supplement.
People who are allergic to sulfa drugs or who have kidney or liver disease will probably have to avoid Lozol.
Taking the Medicine
Because Lozol is likely to cause increased frequency of urination, the normal recommendation is to take one dose in the morning. This way the natural effect of the diuretic may be less bothersome.
