A sweetening compound called glycyrrhizin, found in black licorice, candies, cakes and other sweet treats, can cause irregular heartbeat and heart attack when combined with digoxin (Lanoxin), and may also reduce the effects of some blood-pressure and diuretic medications, including hydrochlorothiazide (
Hydrodiuril) and spironolactone (Aldactone).
Some commonly prescribed drugs in this class include amiloride (Midamar), bumetanide (Bumex), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), chlorothiazide (Diuril), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide, Esidrix,
Hydrodiuril) and indapamide (Lozol).
Research suggests that yohimbine reduces the effectiveness of the antihypertensive drugs Clonidine, Wytensin, Cozaar, Diovan, Cardizem, Norvasc, Lasix, and
HydroDiuril. ACE inhibitors (such as Capoten, Vasotec, Prinivil, Zestril, Monopril, Altace, Accupril, Aceon, Mavic and Univasc) are less effective when combined with yohimbine, as are beta-blockers (such as Tenormin, Kerlone, Corego, Trandate, Lopressor, Toprol XL, Corgard, Levatol and Inderal).
Water pills such hydrochlorothiazide (
HydroDIURIL and others) and chlorthalidone (Hygroton) prompt the body to excrete water and salt and are often prescribed for treating high blood pressure and heart disease.
But Michael was taking up to 30 drugs including diprivan, oxycontin, demerol, percocet, ramelton, zaleplon, esziopiclone zolpidem, paladone, luvux, dexedrine, vorozac, aminorex, desoxyn, didrex, celebrex, ditroplan, hydroquinone, diprovan,
hydrodiuril.
To reduce your blood pressure, the first line of treatment is diuretics ("water pills") such as hydrochlorothiazide (
HydroDIURIL, Microzide), furosemide (Lasix), and spironolactone (Mdactone) to reduce water retention, which results in lowered blood pressure.
Commonly prescribed antihypertensive medications include diuretics (
HydroDiuril); angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors (Vasotec); angiotensin receptor blockers (Avapro); beta blockers (Lopressor); calcium channel blockers (Verapamil); and a new class of drugs called renin inhibitors (Aliskiren).