Ziac is a once-daily prescription medication available for the treatment of hypertension. Ziac works as a dual-therapy medication. Because of its composition of bisoprolol fumarate and hydrochlorothiazide, Ziac is able to lower blood pressure and function as a diuretic. PDRHealth.com describes bisoprolol fumarate as a beta-1 selective adrenergic blocker. Bisoprolol fumarate works by blocking a specific type of receptor found in the heart muscle. Conversely, the diuretic mechanism of hydrochlorothiazide helps the body excrete excess fluid (in the form of urine), promoting water loss and lowering blood pressure.
Less Serious Side Effects
As with any new medication, side effects cannot be anticipated. Questions or concerns about persistent or frequent side effects should be addressed by your medical care provider. Drugs.com notes the following as less serious side effects of Ziac as: blurred vision, ringing in the ears, cough, runny nose, feeling fatigued or tired, constipation, diarrhea, stomach upset and dizziness. Report side effects to your physician. You may also report such effects to the U.S. Food and Drug Administration (FDA) at (800) FDA-1088.
Serious Side Effects
Some patients may experience serious side effects with use of this medication. Stop taking this medication and contact your physician if you suffer from a severe allergic reaction to Ziac. Symptoms of a severe allergic reaction include difficulty breathing, hives or swelling of the face, tongue, lips or throat. Drugs.com identifies additional serious cardiac side effects as tachycardia (fast heartbeat), bradycardia (slow heartbeat) or uneven heartbeat. Some persons may also experience sore throat, fever and headache with a red, blistering, peeling skin rash upon taking this medication. Ziac can also cause physical changes, such as rapid increase in weight, lateral numbness or weakness, numbness and tingling in hands or feet, pain in one or both legs and easy bruising or bleeding. Disruption of cognitive ability may also manifest in patients taking Ziac. Such disruption may include drowsiness, lightheadedness, hallucinations, convulsions and restlessness. Signs of vision or speech dysfunction may also dissipate. Dry mouth, increased thirst, increased or decreased urinary output, dark urine and clay-colored stools are additional serious side effects of this medication. Stomach pain, loss of appetite and nausea and vomiting are also found as serious side effects in some persons.
Additional Considerations
Always consult with a medical care provider prior to taking Ziac, especially if you are currently taking additional blood-pressure-lowering and other medications. Do not stop taking Ziac without first seeking counsel of a physician. PDRHealth.com warns that abrupt withdrawal from this medication may result in symptoms of chest pain, tachycardia (fast heartbeat), irregular heartbeat or heart attack. Never hesitate to contact your physician in the event of progression of these symptoms. Increased caution should be taken in women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. The effects of this medication on women with the aforementioned conditions have not been fully evaluated. Additionally, DailyMed notes that diabetic patients should be watchful when taking beta-blockers. Some beta-blockers, such as Ziac, may catalyze insulin-induced hypoglycemic (low blood sugar) conditions and delay the recovery of glucose levels in the blood. Subsequent questions regarding side effects of this medication should be directed to your physician.
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