Ziac is a drug used to treat high blood pressure, a condition medically known as hypertension. According to Drugs.com, Ziac is a combination of the medications hydrochlorothiazide and bisoprostol. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) medication that regulates your body's sodium absorption, while bisoprostol is a beta-blocker that slows the work of your heart. Ziac is available as a tablet and its dosage depends upon the severity of your hypertension.
Common Side Effects
According to Drugs.com, Ziac's common side effects include headache, blurry vision, a ringing sensation in your ears, dizziness and vertigo, a condition in which you feel like the room is spinning around you. Ziac may play a role in irritating your digestive tract and can subsequently cause diarrhea, stomach upset and constipation. It may also lead to a cough, runny nose and fatigue. In a placebo-controlled study of 252 patients receiving a combination of 2.5 to 40 mg of bisoprostol and 6.25 mg of hydrochlorothiazide, the National Library of Medicine says that 2.2 percent developed a cough, 0.7 percent had rhinitis (a runny nose), 4.6 percent experienced fatigue and 5.1 percent experienced dizziness. Additionally, 4.5 percent of the studied population developed a headache, 1.1 percent had trouble sleeping, 4.3 percent developed diarrhea, 1.1 percent had nausea and 1.2 percent developed indigestion. These side effects should not cause any life-threatening problems, but call your physician if these symptoms last for longer than three days.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine says that Ziac can cause such life-threatening side effects as cardiac failure, a condition in which your heart fails to supply enough blood to the different parts of your body. Symptoms of heart failure include chest pain, trouble breathing and edema (swelling of your legs). Ziac can also hide symptoms of hyperthyroidism (an overactive thyroid gland). For example, you may have tachycardia (a fast heartbeat) without even knowing it. Ziac's other potentially fatal side effects include bradycardia (slow heartbeat), easy bleeding or bruising, convulsions, hallucinations, frequent urination and stomach pain. Bradycardia results in less blood reaching such vital organs as your brain, and you can faint. Easy bruising or bleeding results from lowered platelet counts. Platelets are supposed to help your blood clot. Ziac can also cause a fever, skin blistering, dark-colored urine and jaundice (yellowing of your skin). Jaundice is a manifestation of liver problems. Call your doctor if you exhibit Ziac's serious side effects.
Additional Concerns
Avoid Ziac if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or bisoprostol. An allergic reaction can ensue. Symptoms of this life-threatening reaction include trouble breathing, hives and swelling of your lips, throat or face.
The National Library of Medicine says that you should avoid Ziac if you suffer from bronchospastic diseases like asthma, peripheral vascular disease, diabetes, kidney problems or liver disease. Ziac may worsen these conditions.
Do not drink alcohol while taking Ziac, as this can lead to the aforementioned side effects.
Drugs.com says that hydrochlorothiazide and bisoprostol can pass into breast milk. Tell your doctor if you want to breastfeed.
It is unclear if Ziac can harm your baby in utero. Inform your physician if you are expecting a child.
A wide variety of drugs can interact with Ziac. Avoid combining Ziac with such medications as insulin, reserpine, steroids or colestipol. The mixture can lead to the previously mentioned side effects.
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