What is Metolazone: Uses, Warnings & Interactions

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Use only the brand of medicine your doctor prescribed. Other brands may not work the same way.

Oral routeCarefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. You may need to eat foods that are high in potassium (such as oranges or bananas) to prevent potassium loss while you are using this medicine.

Oral routeCarefully follow your doctor's instructions about any special diet. You may need to eat foods that are high in potassium (such as oranges or bananas) to prevent potassium loss while you are using this medicine.

Use only the brand of medicine your doctor prescribed. Other brands may not work the same way.

Take your medicine as directed. Your dose may need to be changed several times to find what works best for you.

Take a dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, wait until then and take a regular dose. Do not take extra medicine to make up for a missed dose.

Oral routeAsk your pharmacist, doctor, or health caregiver about the best way to dispose of any outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Keep all medicine out of the reach of children. Never share your medicine with anyone.

You should not use this medicine if you have had an allergic reaction to metolazone, sulfa drugs (such as sulfamethoxazole, sulfasalazine, sulfisoxazole, Azulfidine®, Bactrim®, Gantrisin®, or Septra®), or other diuretics ("water pills"). You should not use this medicine if you are not able to form urine (anuria) or have severe liver disease.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are pregnant or breastfeeding, or if you have kidney disease, heart disease, congestive heart failure, low blood pressure, mineral imbalance (high or low calcium, magnesium, phosphorus, potassium, or sodium in the blood), or a history of asthma. Tell your doctor if you have diabetes, gout, lupus, or severe diarrhea.

This medicine may make you dizzy. Avoid driving, using machines, or doing anything else that could be dangerous if you are not alert.

Tell any doctor or dentist who treats you that you are using this medicine. You may need to stop using this medicine several days before you have surgery or medical tests.

This medicine may make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Wear sunscreen. Do not use sunlamps or tanning beds.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.

If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.

Dark-colored urine or pale stools.

Dry mouth, increased thirst, muscle cramps, nausea, or vomiting.

Fast, pounding, or uneven heartbeat.

Fever chills, cough, hoarseness, sore throat, and body aches.

Lightheadedness, dizziness, or fainting.

Problems urinating, pain in side or lower back.

Unusual bleeding, bruising, or weakness.

Yellowing of your skin or the whites of your eyes.

Make sure your doctor knows if you are using digoxin (Lanoxin®), other medicine for high blood pressure (such as atenolol, bepridil, metoprolol, propranolol, timolol, Vascor®, or Toprol®), or a diuretic or "water pill" (such as amiloride, bumetanide, ethacrynic acid, furosemide, hydrochlorothizide [HCTZ], quinethazone, spironolactone, torsemide, triamterene, Aldactone®, Bumex®, Demadex®, Hydromox®, or Lasix®).

Make sure your doctor knows if you are also using a blood thinner (such as warfarin, Coumadin®), cholestyramine (Questran®), colestipol (Colestid®), lithium (Eskalith®, Lithobid®), methenamine, norepinephrine, tubocurarine, pain or arthritis medicine (such as aspirin, Advil®, Aleve®, Indocin®, Motrin®, Orudis®, Relafen®, or Voltaren®), or a steroid medicine (such as cortisone, dexamethasone, prednisone, or Medrol®), or low-salt milk. Tell your doctor if you are using insulin, diabetes medicines that you take by mouth (such as glyburide, metformin, Actos®, Avandia®, Glucotrol®, Glucovance®), narcotic pain relievers, phenobarbital, or other sedatives.

Ask your doctor before you use potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium.

Do not drink alcohol while you are using this medicine.

If you stop using this medicine, your blood pressure may go up. High blood pressure usually has no symptoms. Even if you feel well, do not stop using the medicine without asking your doctor.

Your doctor will do lab tests at regular visits to check on the effects of this medicine. Keep all appointments.