Ziac

Ziac is commonly prescribed for the treatment of high blood pressure. It is a combination product that contains a beta blocker and a diuretic, drugs that help lower blood pressure by blocking beta receptors in the body and increasing the amount of water and salt removed from the blood. This medication comes in tablet form and is usually taken once a day.

Ziac Medication Information

What Is Ziac?

Ziac^® (bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide) is a prescription medication approved to treat high blood pressure (known medically as hypertension). It contains two different medications: bisoprolol fumarate (Zebeta^®) and hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix^®, HydroDIURIL^®, Microzide^®, and Oretic^®).

(Click Ziac Uses for more information, including possible off-label uses.)

Who Makes It?

Ziac is made by Duramed Pharmaceuticals, Inc. Generic versions of this medication are made by various manufacturers.

How Does This Medication Work?

As mentioned, Ziac contains two different active ingredients,

bisoprolol and hydrochlorothiazide (also known as HCTZ).

Bisoprolol belongs to a group of drugs called beta-adrenergic blocking agents, more often known as beta blockers. These medications block beta receptors, which are located in a number of places within the body, including the heart and blood vessels. At lower doses in most people, bisoprolol helps to block a specific type of beta receptor, called beta-1 receptors (at higher doses, it also blocks beta-2 receptors). By blocking beta-1 receptors, this medication decreases both heart rate and blood pressure.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, which is commonly referred to as a "water pill." It works by increasing the amount of salt and water that the kidneys remove from the blood, which is then passed through urine. As a result, hydrochlorothiazide causes a decrease in blood volume. Because of this effect, this medication can lower blood pressure and help with water retention.

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