Secadrex

What is it?

An antihypertensive preparation combining a cardioselective 1blocker and thiazide diuretic available as film-coated, white tablets containing 200mg of acebutolol (as hydrochloride) and 12.5mg of hydrochlorothiazide, marked SECADREX

Medical Uses

Mild to moderate high blood pressure.

Dosage

Adults, 1 to 2 tablets as a single dose each day.

Special Care

Pregnancy, breast-feeding, patients with weak hearts should receive digitalis and diuretics, history of bronchospasm, liver or kidney disease, diabetes, metabolic acidosis, raised blood lipid levels, gout, weakness, insufficient cerebral blood supply, tendency to allergy. Persons undergoing general anaesthesia, may require drug to be withdrawn before planned surgery. Electrolyte levels should be monitored, drug should be gradually withdrawn.

Avoid Use

Children, patients with obstructive airways disease or history of bronchospasm (asthma), various heart disorders including heart block, heart shock, heart failure, sick sinus syndrome, serious peripheral arterial disease, sinus bradycardia, Prinz- metal's angina, low blood pressure, severe heart muscle disease, uncompensated heart failure. Also, untreated tumour of adrenal gland (phaeochromocytoma), failure of right ventricle secondary to pulmonary hypertension, severe or progressive kidney failure, anuria.

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Cardiac depressant anaesthetics, antihypertensives, ergot alkaloids, ibuprofen, sympathomimetics, verapamil, clonidine withdrawal, central nervous system depressants, class I antiarrhythmic drugs, dilitiazem, cimetidine, reserpine. Also, indomethacin, theophylline, class 11 calcium antagonists, hypoglycaemics, lithium, warfarin, digitalis, rifampicin. Also, amantadine, NSAIDs, potassium-sparing diuretics, potassium supplements, allopurinol.

Known Side Effects

Bradycardia, fatigue on exercise, cold hands and feet, disturbance of sleep, gastro-intestinal upset, low blood pressure, bronchospasm, heart failure, blood changes, baldness, thrombocytopenia (low levels of blood platelets), blood changes, sensitivity to light, gout. Withdraw drug gradually if skin rash or dry eyes occur.