Zaroxolyn is a diuretic (also sometimes referred to as a “water pill”). It gets rid of excess fluid by preventing sodium from being absorbed in the kidneys, allowing excess water and electrolytes to be excreted in the urine. The removal of excess fluid in the veins causes a decrease in blood volume returning to the heart. As a result, the heart does not release as much blood to the arteries as it used to, which helps lower blood pressure.
Typically, a medication called a loop diuretic is used first to treat signs of excess fluid retention caused by heart failure. If the loop diuretic fails to relieve the excess fluid, metolazone can be given along with the medication. If you are taking both diuretics at the same time, your healthcare provider may carefully monitor for too much fluid loss.
What Is Zaroxolyn Used For?
The Food and Drug Administration (FDA) approved Zaroxolyn to treat:
Brand Name(s): Zaroxolyn
Administration Route: Oral
Drug Availability: Prescription
Therapeutic Classification: Diuretic
Available Generically: Yes
Controlled Substance: N/A
Active Ingredient: Metolazone
Dosage Form: Tablet
Edema (excess fluid) associated with congestive heart failure Edema (excess fluid) associated with kidney disease, including nephrotic syndrome and states of diminished kidney function High blood pressure
How to Take Zaroxolyn
Since each dose is specialized to your indication and response to the medication, you should follow your healthcare provider’s directions on how to take Zaroxolyn.
Generally, a single daily dose by mouth of Zaroxolyn is recommended. Whether you are taking it for edema related to heart failure or kidney disease, the maximum daily dose should be 20 milligrams (mg). If you take it for high blood pressure, the maximum daily dose should be 5 milligrams.
You can take Zaroxolyn with water and with or without food. However, you should not take this medication with alcohol because it can increase the risk of orthostatic hypotension, a feeling of dizziness or lightheadedness when quickly getting up from a sitting or standing position. Since Zaroxolyn gets rid of excess fluid, you may experience frequent urination, so it is best to take this medication in the morning or afternoon to avoid frequent trips to the bathroom in the middle of the night.
Storage
Store Zaroxolyn at room temperature and away from light. You should avoid storing this medication in areas with moisture, such as a medicine cabinet in a bathroom. Keeping your medication in hot or cold areas can reduce how well the drug works. Make sure your medication is stored in a safe place where children and pets can not reach to avoid accidental consumption.
Off-Label Uses
Zaroxolyn is approved to treat excess fluid retention associated with heart failure and kidney disease. However, it has been studied for use in other disease states. These are considered “off-label” uses because the FDA has not approved Zaroxolyn for these conditions.
Metolazone has been studied for its use in treating:
Edema (excess fluid) associated with liver diseaseCertain types of kidney stonesPremenstrual syndrome, commonly known as PMS
What Are the Side Effects of Zaroxolyn?
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. A healthcare provider can advise you on side effects. If you experience other effects, contact your pharmacist or a healthcare provider. You may report side effects to the FDA at fda.gov/medwatch or 1-800-FDA-1088.
Common Side Effects
The following side effects are commonly reported while taking Zaroxolyn:
ConstipationDiarrheaDrowsinessDizziness FatigueHeadache
Severe Side Effects
Do not hesitate to contact your healthcare provider right away if you are experiencing any of these rare but serious side effects. Call 911 immediately if you feel your life is at risk or you believe you’re in need of medical assistance.
Rare but serious side effects can include but are not limited to:
Irregular heartbeatFaintingUnable to pass urineBlood in urineVomitingBlistered or peeling skinNumbness in the hands or feetChest pain or pressure
Long-Term Side Effects
Taking Zaroxolyn for an extended time may cause you to experience hyponatremia, which is a condition when your sodium levels in the blood are lower than normal. Low potassium levels (hypokalemia) can also occur.
Dosage: How Much Zaroxolyn Should I Take?
Modifications
You should not take Zaroxolyn if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This medication can cross through the placenta and breast milk, leading to unwanted adverse effects on the fetus or infant.
If you experience a serious side effect, you or your healthcare provider may send a report to the FDA’s MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting Program or by phone (800-332-1088).
The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.
For oral dosage form (tablets): For fluid retention (edema): Adults—At first, 5 to 20 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor . For high blood pressure: Adults—At first, 2. 5 to 5 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed. Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor .
In children, Zaroxolyn is usually given at a lower dose of 0.05 to 0.1 milligrams/kilograms (kg) once a day. The healthcare provider will determine the correct dosing for your child.
Zaroxolyn is heavily excreted through the kidneys. People with impaired kidney function should avoid taking Zaroxolyn for this reason.
Missed Dose
If you happen to miss a dose, you will be okay. Take it as soon as you remember. If it is close to the time of your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your normal daily dosing. Do not double up on doses to make up for missed doses. It is important only to take one tablet by mouth once a day. Do not take two or more tablets at the same time.
Overdose: What Happens If I Take Too Much Zaroxolyn?
There is no set overdose level that indicates you have taken too much Zaroxolyn. However, taking more than the recommended dose can lead to serious adverse effects such as:
Orthostatic hypotension Dizziness Fainting Hypoventilation leading to coma Stomach irritation
Precautions
What Are Reasons I Shouldn’t Take Zaroxolyn?
Before taking any medication, it is important to talk to your healthcare provider about any other medical conditions you have. Certain conditions can cause unwanted side effects when taking Zaroxolyn or prevent the medication from working properly.
If someone collapses or isn’t breathing after taking Zaroxolyn, call 911 immediately.
Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking this medicine: convulsions or seizures; decreased urine; drowsiness; dry mouth; excessive thirst; muscle pains or cramps; nausea or vomiting; increased heart rate or pulse; or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a condition called hypokalemia or potassium loss .
Dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting may occur, especially when you get up from a lying or sitting position. Getting up slowly may help. If the problem continues or gets worse, check with your doctor .
Drinking alcoholic beverages may also make the dizziness, lightheadedness, or fainting worse. While you are taking this medicine, be careful to limit the amount of alcohol you drink .
This medicine may cause changes in your blood sugar levels. If you notice a change in the results of your blood or urine sugar tests or if you have any questions, check with your doctor .
Before you have any medical tests, tell the medical doctor in charge that you are taking this medicine. The results of some tests (e.g., tests for parathyroid function) may be affected by this medicine .
Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements .
You should avoid taking Zaroxolyn if you have:
An allergy to sulfonamide-derived drugs, thiazides, or quinethazone Hepatic encephalopathy Kidney failure Electrolyte imbalance Low blood pressure Edema (excess fluid) associated with pregnancy
What Other Medications Interact With Zaroxolyn?
Zaroxolyn helps lower your blood pressure by reducing the blood volume returning to the heart. Therefore, taking other high blood pressure medications should be avoided because it can further lower your blood pressure.
Common high blood pressure medications include:
Prinivil, Qbrelis, Zestril (lisinopril)Lotensin (benazepril)Avapro (irbesartan)Katerzia, Norliqva, Norvasc (amlodipine)
Since Zaroxolyn gets rid of excess water and electrolytes, medications sensitive to electrolyte loss can be potential drug interactions. Taking these medications listed below may prevent or enhance the efficacy of the drug or cause potential risks:
Anticoagulants, or blood thinners (e. g. , warfarin) Corticosteroids (e. g. , prednisone) Cardiac glycosides, or medications to treat certain irregular heartbeats and heart failure (e. g. , digoxin) Non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs, or NSAIDs (e. g. , ibuprofen)
This list is not not a complete list of all possible medications that interact with Zaroxolyn. It is important to let your healthcare provider or pharmacist know what medications, herbs, or supplements you are currently taking.
What Medications Are Similar?
People who are first diagnosed with fluid overload due to heart failure are typically administered a medication class called loop diuretics. Common loop diuretics include:
Furocot, Lasix (furosemide) Bumex (bumetanide)Demadex, Soaanz (torsemide)
If the loop diuretic fails to eliminate the excess fluid, Zaroxolyn may be administered along with the medication. A person taking both Zaroxolyn and a loop diuretic should be monitored for excess fluid loss. However, loop diuretics should not be taken at the same time if you are already taking Zaroxolyn.
Chlorothiazide, an intravenous thiazide diuretic, can also be used with a loop diuretic if the medication is not working on its own. Chlorothiazide is also used to treat excess fluid retention and high blood pressure. While chlorothiazide can be an alternative to Zaroxolyn, Zaroxolyn oral tablets are significantly cheaper and should be used as a first-line option when loop diuretics fail.
How Can I Stay Healthy While Taking Zaroxolyn?
To stay healthy while taking Zaroxolyn, it is important to take this medication as instructed by your healthcare provider. Continue taking your medication even if you feel well. Stopping too early can lengthen your medication therapy.
In addition, you can incorporate lifestyle changes to feel better faster, such as light exercise and a low-sodium diet. It might be difficult to change your lifestyle, but it does not hurt to start small and gradually work your way up to making healthier choices. Your healthcare provider can let you know what level of activity and lifestyle change would be right for you.
