Bendroflumethiazide

Bendroflumethiazide is a diuretic tablet used to treat high blood pressure and oedema. High blood pressure, also known as hypertension, can put stress on important organs like your heart, liver, and brain.

You typically take Bendroflumethiazide daily. It's a generic medicine with one active ingredient, bendroflumethiazide, and is usually taken in the morning. It works for about 12 to 24 hours. Diuretics are often referred to as 'water tablets' because they make you urinate more. This is why it's best to avoid taking them in the evening, as needing the toilet at night can disturb your sleep.

Diuretics are often given to you if you have high blood pressure (hypertension) or excess fluid in your body (oedema). Bendroflumethiazide is part of a group of medicines known as thiazide diuretics. While loop and potassium-sparing diuretics are typically used for fluid retention, thiazides are mostly used in low doses to manage high blood pressure.

People over 65, those of black Caribbean or black African descent, or anyone with a family history of health issues related to hypertension, are at a greater risk of developing high blood pressure.

Hypertension can also be triggered by conditions such as diabetes, but it's often due to an unhealthy lifestyle. Those who are overweight, don't exercise regularly, smoke, or consume too much alcohol are at risk of developing high blood pressure.

Bendroflumethiazide helps lower your blood pressure by decreasing the extra fluid in your arteries. With less fluid for your heart to circulate, your blood pressure begins to drop.

Bendroflumethiazide tablets come in two strengths: 2.5mg and 5mg. For treating high blood pressure, the typical dose is one 2.5mg tablet taken each morning.

A clinician might determine that you require the higher strength dose, but it's quite uncommon for someone to need the 5mg tablets to control their high blood pressure.

There are many ways to treat hypertension. No matter which medication you're given, you'll also be encouraged to make lifestyle changes to help improve your blood pressure, such as eating a healthier diet and exercising regularly.

Other thiazide-like diuretics are hydrochlorothiazide, metolazone, and indapamide. There are also other medications for high blood pressure that function differently from diuretics. ACE inhibitors, for example, help by preventing your blood vessels from narrowing and are commonly used to manage hypertension. Some examples of these medicines are Ramipril and Zestril.

Some people may discover that Bendroflumethiazide isn't suitable for them. If that's the case, a different type of medication known as a calcium channel blocker might be suggested. Too much calcium can cause your arteries to tighten, and these medicines work by preventing calcium from getting into the cells of your blood vessel walls and heart. They're sometimes combined with angiotensin-II receptor antagonists. Exforge and Sevikar are two examples of treatments that use these active ingredients together.

Bendroflumethiazide is generally well tolerated, but like all medicines, it can cause some side effects. However, not everyone experiences them, so you might not have any at all.

Be on the lookout for serious reactions like hypersensitivity, which can cause swelling of the face and lips, unexpected bleeding, or vision issues. If you notice any of these symptoms, seek medical help immediately. Go to the emergency department at your nearest hospital and take the Bendroflumethiazide box and patient information leaflet with you.

People with hypertension often need to take multiple medications to manage their blood pressure.

A study from 2006 looked at combining bendroflumethiazide with potassium chloride and compared it to enalapril and amlodipine (an active ingredient in Exforge and Sevikar). The results showed that bendroflumethiazide was effective for treating mild to moderate high blood pressure.

Another study discovered that every dose of this medication significantly lowers diastolic blood pressure.

Most people can use Bendroflumethiazide, but it's not suitable for everyone. Sharing as much information as you can during your first consultation will help us determine if this medication is right for you. You may need to avoid it if you have:

If you're pregnant or breastfeeding, your clinician will let you know if Bendroflumethiazide is safe for you to use.

Bendroflumethiazide is a medication that you can only get with a prescription. Before you begin taking it, a clinician must ensure the tablets are right for you and won't cause any health issues.

Diuretics prescribed for high blood pressure are often taken for an extended period. While you're on them, it's important to have regular tests to see if your blood pressure is getting better. We generally recommend having these tests done through your GP. Our healthcare professionals can then review the results using your Summary Care Record (SCR), which is an electronic record containing details about your health, such as tests and medications. You can choose to give our clinicians ongoing access to your SCR so they can keep an eye on your progress.