What is bendroflumethiazide?

• Bendroflumethiazide is a diuretic, which means it causes you to pass out more urine from your kidneys. It helps your body to get rid of extra salt and water. 
• It is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension), and is also used to lessen extra fluid in the body (called oedema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease. This can reduce symptoms such as swelling in your ankles or feet, or shortness of breath. 
• Bendroflumethiazide is available as tablets.

Dose

• The usual dose of bendroflumethiazide for high blood pressure is 2.5 milligrams once a day.
• The usual dose for the treatment of oedema (excess fluid) is 5 milligrams taken once a day. Some people may require higher doses.
• Always take your bendroflumethiazide exactly as your doctor has told you. The pharmacy label on your medicine will tell you how much bendroflumethiazide to take, how often to take it, and any special instructions.

How to take bendroflumethiazide 

• Take bendroflumethiazide once a day, in the morning.
• It is best taken in the morning so it works during the day and your sleep is not disturbed by you needing to get up to go to the toilet during the night.
• You can take bendroflumethiazide with or without food.
• Limit or avoid drinking alcohol while you are taking bendroflumethiazide. Alcohol may increase your chances of getting side effects such as dizziness.
• If you forget to take your dose, take it as soon as you remember that day. However, if it is after 6 pm in the evening, you should skip the forgotten dose and continue as usual the next day. Do not take double the dose.

Special instructions

• Bendroflumethiazide may make your skin more sensitive to the sun. You may get a burning, tingling feeling on your skin when you are in the sun, or you may notice a darker tan, or redness.
• When outside, protect your skin and eyes:
  • Cover up with closely-woven clothing.
  • Wear a broad-brimmed hat.
  • Avoid direct sunlight whenever possible. Ultraviolet rays, sunlamps, and sunbeds should also be avoided. Try to keep in the shade or carry an umbrella.
  • Apply a good sunscreen (SPF30+) liberally to all uncovered skin before exposure. Sunscreen should be applied at least 30 minutes before sun exposure and re-applied every two hours, as well as after swimming or exercise.
  • Insect repellents reduce the sunscreen's sun protection factor (SPF) so when using together, use a sunscreen with a higher SPF and re-apply more often.

Possible side effects

Like all medicines, bendroflumethiazide can cause unwanted side effects, although not everyone gets them. Often unwanted side effects improve as your body gets used to the new medicine.

Interactions

Bendroflumethiazide may interact with a number of important medications and herbal supplements so check with your doctor or pharmacist.

• Also check with your pharmacist before taking anti-inflammatories that can be bought over-the-counter, such as diclofenac (e.g. Voltaren Rapid), ibuprofen (e.g. Nurofen), naproxen (e.g. Naprogesic).

Learn more

The following links provide further information on bendroflumethiazide.

• Medsafe Consumer Information Sheets: Arrow - Bendrofluazide
• New Zealand Formulary Patient Information: Bendroflumethiazide