Lozol 2.5 mg Tablets

Brand Name

This medication is marketed under the trade name Lozol, widely acknowledged among healthcare practitioners for its effectiveness in regulating fluid balance and blood pressure.

International Nonproprietary Name (INN)

The active ingredient is universally recognized as indapamide, ensuring its consistent identification across global medical frameworks.

Form of Release

The drug is presented as film-coated tablets, crafted for oral intake and available in distinct strengths to address varying patient requirements. These tablets are designed for user convenience and preserve potency under typical storage environments.

Composition

Indapamide constitutes the core active component, formulated to modulate fluid dynamics and vascular function within the body. Accompanying this are auxiliary substances such as microcrystalline cellulose, lactose monohydrate, magnesium stearate, and corn starch, which support tablet integrity and facilitate its breakdown upon ingestion. The protective coating, often made from hypromellose, polyethylene glycol, and titanium dioxide, aids in swallowing and shields the active substance from external degradation. Every constituent is purposefully included to enhance the therapeutic impact of indapamide while maintaining its reliability.

Pharmacologic Properties

Pharmacodynamics

This medication operates as a thiazide-like diuretic with supplementary vasodilatory capabilities, engaging both kidney and blood vessel mechanisms to deliver its benefits. It hinders sodium reabsorption within the distal convoluted tubule, promoting the expulsion of sodium and water, thereby decreasing circulating blood volume and easing pressure on arterial walls. Additionally, it induces relaxation of vascular smooth muscle, lowering resistance in peripheral vessels, possibly through effects on calcium movement across cell membranes. This twofold approach amplifies its ability to manage elevated blood pressure beyond mere fluid elimination. The onset of action occurs within a few hours, with optimal pressure reduction developing gradually over days to weeks of steady administration. Its comprehensive profile supports long-term cardiovascular health.

Pharmacokinetics

Upon oral consumption, the drug is absorbed efficiently from the digestive tract, achieving a bioavailability of approximately 93%, with minimal influence from meals. Peak levels in the bloodstream are reached within one to two hours. Indapamide attaches to plasma proteins at about 79% and disperses broadly, showing a particular affinity for vascular tissues due to its fat-soluble nature. It is processed in the liver, mainly through cytochrome P450 3A4 enzymes, yielding inactive byproducts. The majority of elimination happens via urine, with around 70% appearing as metabolites and 5% to 7% as the unchanged compound, while a smaller portion is cleared through fecal routes. Its half-life spans 14 to 18 hours, offering extended activity, though conditions affecting kidney or liver function may prolong this duration, necessitating vigilant oversight.

Indications for Use

This medication is recommended for conditions necessitating control over blood pressure and fluid retention. It is chiefly employed to address essential hypertension, lowering high blood pressure through its synergistic diuretic and vessel-relaxing effects, making it suitable for mild to moderate presentations. It also tackles swelling linked to congestive heart failure, reducing excess fluid accumulation and alleviating strain on the heart. In certain scenarios, it assists individuals experiencing fluid buildup due to early-stage kidney issues, providing added pressure regulation when needed. Its multifaceted action renders it an adaptable option for patients requiring consistent management beyond lifestyle adjustments, frequently forming part of a wider strategy for heart and vascular wellness.

Contraindications

Specific health states restrict the use of this drug to protect patient well-being. Sensitivity to indapamide, sulfonamide-related compounds, or any tablet ingredients bars its use, as responses might range from skin rashes to severe allergic episodes. Advanced kidney dysfunction, evidenced by creatinine clearance below 30 mL/min or complete lack of urine output, makes it unsuitable due to its dependence on renal elimination. Pronounced liver impairment, such as cirrhosis with a risk of brain complications, excludes it because of possible metabolic disturbances. It should not be used in cases of uncorrected severe electrolyte disparities, such as low potassium or sodium levels, to avoid worsening these imbalances. A history of gout or uncontrolled high uric acid levels calls for prudence, given its potential to increase uric acid. Combining it with agents that extend the QT interval, like specific heart rhythm medications, is inadvisable without close supervision.

Method of Administration and Dosage

How to Take

Tablets are ingested orally, ideally in the morning to reduce nighttime urination, and can be taken regardless of meal timing. Swallowing them intact with water ensures effective delivery to the digestive system. Adhering to a regular schedule each day sustains stable therapeutic concentrations for optimal results.

Dosage for Adults and Children

For adults managing hypertension, treatment with Lozol typically starts at 1.25 mg once daily, with an option to increase to 2.5 mg daily after four weeks if pressure targets remain unmet, reaching up to 5 mg daily in challenging cases. For edema related to heart failure, 2.5 mg daily is standard, with potential escalation to 5 mg based on fluid reduction needs. Pediatric applications lack formal dosing standards, but when utilized, amounts are tailored, often beginning at 0.02 mg per kilogram daily, modified under expert guidance according to pressure or fluid response. Periodic evaluations guide adjustments to ensure both effectiveness and safety across different age groups.

Dose Adjustment in Specific Conditions

Kidney function decline warrants careful handling; doses might stay at 1.25 mg daily if clearance ranges from 30 to 60 mL/min, but it’s avoided below 30 mL/min due to excretion challenges. Mild liver issues suggest sticking to 1.25 mg daily while closely tracking liver performance and electrolyte levels, though severe cases generally rule out its use. Older adults or individuals with reduced fluid volume may initiate at 1.25 mg daily to lessen risks of low pressure or electrolyte disturbances. Routine checks confirm that dosing suits each patient’s unique physiological state, especially when health is compromised.

Side Effects

This medication may trigger various unintended responses, though most are mild and temporary. Lightheadedness or a sense of imbalance, often tied to pressure decreases, frequently occurs, especially during early use or dose changes. Tiredness, head discomfort, or muscle spasms might arise, usually connected to shifts in electrolyte levels like potassium. A parched mouth or increased thirst may indicate slight dehydration, easily addressed with proper hydration. Stomach unease, such as queasiness or infrequent bowel movements, impacts some individuals but typically fades over time. In rare instances, serious reactions like pronounced low potassium—potentially causing heart rhythm issues—or sensitivity responses like rashes or light sensitivity appear, demanding swift medical intervention. Regular lab assessments help identify and mitigate these effects early.

Overdose

Symptoms of Overdose

Taking too much can result in substantial blood pressure drops, leading to lightheadedness, fainting, or circulatory failure due to excessive vessel relaxation and fluid reduction. Electrolyte disruptions, such as critically low potassium or sodium, could cause muscle fatigue, spasms, or erratic heartbeats, posing hazards if not addressed. Nausea, vomiting, or a sluggish feeling might point to broader system upset, while disorientation or convulsions could signal severe cases. These signs usually emerge within hours and worsen without action, reflecting the drug’s strong influence on fluid and vascular dynamics.

First Aid Measures

If an overdose occurs, stop administration immediately and seek urgent medical assistance. If taken recently, activated charcoal might curb absorption, applied under professional direction. Intravenous fluids restore pressure and hydration, while electrolyte corrections address imbalances like potassium or sodium shortages. Tracking heart rhythm and kidney function helps stabilize the patient until recovery, aiming to quickly counteract overdose effects. Supportive measures ensure circulatory and metabolic balance is regained.

Drug Interactions

Effects on Other Medications

This drug can alter how other medications perform when taken together. It might heighten the pressure-lowering effects of additional blood pressure treatments, requiring dose tweaks to prevent overly sharp declines. Pain relievers like ibuprofen could lessen its fluid-reducing and pressure-lowering abilities, adding strain to kidneys over time. Lithium concentrations might increase due to slower clearance, calling for blood level checks. It could boost the blood sugar-lowering impact of diabetes medications, risking low glucose, so monitoring is wise. Medications that affect heart rhythm, like some arrhythmia treatments, might raise irregularity risks, needing heart rhythm tracking. Careful adjustments reduce these interaction concerns.

Compatibility with Alcohol and Food

Alcohol intake could amplify low pressure or fluid loss, raising dizziness risks, so keeping it minimal is advised. Meals don’t significantly change how it’s absorbed, allowing flexible timing, though salty foods might work against fluid loss, suggesting a balanced diet. Foods high in potassium, like bananas, can help counter potassium drops but should be watched to avoid excess.

Special Precautions

Use During Pregnancy and Breastfeeding

This medication is typically not used during pregnancy unless the advantages outweigh potential downsides, as it might influence fetal fluid levels or development, based on scarce human evidence. It passes into breast milk in trace amounts, possibly affecting infant electrolyte balance, so nursing mothers should discuss with their doctor, potentially choosing other options to limit infant exposure.

Impact on Driving and Machinery Operation

Feeling dizzy or tired, especially when starting or adjusting doses, could affect driving or operating machinery. Patients should test their response before such tasks, ensuring they remain safe for themselves and others.

Considerations for Elderly and Pediatric Populations

Older adults might need smaller starting amounts due to age-related changes in kidney function or fluid volume, with checks for pressure drops or electrolyte changes. In children, its use is uncommon and managed by experts, with doses based on weight and carefully adjusted to avoid impacting growth or development. Tailored approaches ensure the best outcomes for these groups.