Bendroflumethiazide is a medication used to manage medication-induced fluid retention and hypertension (high blood pressure). According to Drugs.com, bendroflumethizide is a thiazide diuretic that induces frequent urination as this rids your body of excess fluid. Typically you will take 5 mg of bendroflumethiazide daily. Its maximum dose is 20 mg daily.
Common Side Effects
Bendroflumethiazide's most common side effects include blurry vision and orthostatic hypotension, a condition in which your blood pressure becomes very low with changes in your position, like standing from a sitting position, according to Drugs.com. Blood pressure refers to the quantity of force placed on the blood vessel's walls. Decreased blood pressure implies that there is minimal pressure against the walls, which makes your blood stagnant as it does not move to the different organs in your body. Lightheadededness and dizziness result when blood does not flow to your brain. Bendroflumethiazide can also cause paresthesias (numbness or tingling of your skin). These effects are typically temporary as your body gets used to this medication. However, tell your physician when these symptoms last longer than three days.
Serious Side Effects
The National Library of Medicine indicates that bendroflumethiazide can cause electrolyte imbalances. Specifically, it can cause hyponatremia (low sodium levels), hypokalemia (low potassium levels) and hypochloremic alkalosis (excess amounts of bicarbonate in your blood). Signs of these electrolyte imbalances include dry mouth, muscle cramps, tachycardia (a fast heartbeat), nausea and vomiting. Tell your doctor when bendroflumethiazide causes these symptoms.
The drug can affect your gastrointestinal system and cause constipation, diarrhea, bloating, jaundice (yellowing of the skin) and pancreatitis. Diarrhea can cause dehydration as you are losing massive amounts of fluid during your bowel movements. Unfortunately, this alone can make you hypokalemic. Drink plenty of water (about seven to 10 glasses) each day to rehydrate yourself and eat apricots, spinach, bananas and raisins to restore potassium levels. Jaundice is a physical sign that your liver is in trouble. Go to your doctor and he will obtain a blood sample to check your liver enzymes: alanine aminotransferase and aspartate aminotransferase. These enzymes are elevated to indicate liver destruction. Pancreatitis refers to an inflammation of your pancreas. Signs of this disease include abdominal pain that radiate to your back, nausea, fatigue and elevated amylase and lipase (both enzymes) levels.
Additional Concerns
Avoid bendroflumethiazide if you are hypersensitive to it or any other thiazide diuretic. An allergic reaction to this medication can occur. Symptoms include hives, difficulty breathing and facial, lip or tongue swelling.
Do not take bendroflumethiazide if you cannot urinate and you are presently taking ketanserin or dofetilide. This medication may be less effective.
This medication is emitted into breast milk. Do not take bendroflumethiazide if you are breast-feeding.
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