Demadex

Demadex is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure and other conditions. Demadex belongs to a group of drugs called diuretics ("water pills") which help the body get rid of excess fluid by increasing the amount of salt and water the kidneys remove from the blood.

This medication comes in tablet form and is taken once daily, with or without food. Demadex also comes in an injectable form to be given directly into a vein (IV) by a healthcare provider. This article will focus on the oral form.

Common side effects of Demadex include nausea, weakness, and runny nose. This medication can cause dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Demadex is a prescription medication used to treat high blood pressure and fluid retention caused by congestive heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.

This medication may be prescribed for other uses. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

• Meda Pharmaceuticals, Inc.

Serious side effects can occur. See "Drug Precautions" section.

Common side effects include:

• dizziness
• runny nose
• weakness
• diarrhea
• faintness
• arrhythmia (irregular heart beat)
• fatigue
• muscle weakness or spasm
• constipation
• chest or joint pain
• nausea
• nervousness or restlessness

This is not a complete list of Demadex side effects. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements. Especially tell your doctor if you take:

• other medications for high blood pressure
• nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen (Motrin) or naproxen (Aleve) and salicylates
• corticosteroids such as prednisone, hydrocortisone (Cortef), and dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone, Hexadrol)
• lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• medications for diabetes
• probenecid (Benemid)
• digoxin (Digitek, Lanoxin)
• aminoglycoside antibiotics such as amikacin (Amikin), gentamicin, kanamycin (Kantrex), neomycin (Neo-Fradin), streptomycin, and tobramycin
• cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran, Questran Light)
• colestipol (Colestid)

This is not a complete list of Demadex drug interactions. Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

Demadex can cause serious side effects including:

• electrolyte imbalance. This medication may affect electrolytes including sodium, potassium, calcium, magnesium, and chloride. Your doctor will check these levels using a blood test. Warning signs of electrolyte imbalance include:
  • dry mouth
  • thirst
  • weakness
  • lack of energy
  • drowsiness
  • restlessness
  • muscle pains or cramps
  • muscle fatigue
  • low blood pressure
  • decreased urination
  • fast heart rate
  • nausea and vomiting
• worsening of kidney disease
• worsening of gout
• hearing loss. Risk of hearing loss is higher when Demadex is combined with other medications known to cause hearing loss. Tell your doctor right away if you experience hearing loss or ringing in the ears.
• high blood glucose "sugar" concentrations in people with diabetes

This medication may cause drowsiness or dizziness. Do not drive or operate heavy machinery until you know how it affects you.

Do not take Demadex if you:

• are allergic to Demadex or any other ingredient of Demadex 
• are allergic to "sulfa" drugs
• are unable to produce urine

Medications can interact with certain foods. In some cases, this may be harmful and your doctor may advise you to avoid certain foods. In the case of Demadex, there are no specific foods that you must exclude from your diet when receiving this medication.

Before taking Demadex, tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions. Especially tell your doctor if you:

• have liver disease
• have kidney disease
• have diabetes
• have gout
• have electrolyte imbalances
• are allergic to sulfa medications or any other medications
• are pregnant or breastfeeding

Tell your doctor about all the medicines you take including prescription and non-prescription medicines, vitamins, and herbal supplements.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant.

The FDA categorizes medications based on safety for use during pregnancy. Five categories - A, B, C, D, and X, are used to classify the possible risks to an unborn baby when a medication is taken during pregnancy.

Demadex falls into category B. There are no well-done studies that have been done in humans with Demadex. But in animal studies, pregnant animals were given this medication, and the babies did not show any medical issues related to this medication.

Tell your doctor if you are breastfeeding or plan to breastfeed.

It is not known if Demadex crosses into human milk. Because many medications can cross into human milk and because of the possibility for serious adverse reactions in nursing infants with use of this medication, a choice should be made whether to stop nursing or stop the use of this medication. Your doctor and you will decide if the benefits outweigh the risk of using Demadex.

• Take Demadex exactly as prescribed.
• This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once daily.
• Demadex can be taken with or without food.
• Because Demadex increases urination, it is best taken in the morning to avoid having to get up in the night to urinate. 
• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose. Do not take two doses at the same time.

Take Demadex exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully.

The Demadex dose your doctor recommends will be based on:

• the condition being treated
• other medical conditions you have
• other medications you are taking
• how you respond to this medication

The recommended oral dose range for Demadex is 5 mg to 200 mg daily.

If you take too much Demadex call your doctor or local Poison Control Center, or seek emergency medical attention right away.

• Store at room temperature between 15° and 30°C (59° to 86°F).
• Keep this and all medications out of the reach of children.