Hydrochlorothiazide
Description
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) used alone or in combination with other medications in the treatment of high blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is also used to treat excess fluid build-up in your body tissues caused by various medical conditions including heart, kidney, and liver disease. This medicine works by increasing urine production which eliminates extra water and salt from your body. This helps in controlling your blood pressure as well as reduce swelling due to fluid build-up.
Some common side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide are headache, stomach upset, weakness, dizziness, etc. You may also experience increased urination, which is one of the ways by which this medicine reduces blood pressure. These side effects are mostly temporary and go away on their own. Consult with your doctor if these side effects are affecting your daily activities.
You can take Hydrochlorothiazide with or without food. For the ease of remembering, take this medicine around the same time every day. Appropriate lifestyle changes like a low salt and low-fat diet, regular exercise should be started to get the maximum benefits. This medicine is generally prescribed for long-term use. Avoid the discontinuation of this medicine without consulting your doctor.
Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended if you are previously allergic to it. Use this medicine with caution if you have kidney disease, liver disease, or diabetes. Inform your doctor if you are taking any other medications or if you have any other diseases.
Consult your doctor if you are pregnant or are breastfeeding before taking Hydrochlorothiazide.
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Side effects
Major & minor side effects for Hydrochlorothiazide
- Increased urination
- Itching or rash
- Stomach pain
- Dry mouth
- Muscle pain and cramps
- Weakness
- Headache
- Stomach upset
- Low blood pressure
Uses of Hydrochlorothiazide
What is it prescribed for?
- Oedema
- High blood pressure
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Concerns
Commonly asked questions
- Onset of actionThe effect of Hydrochlorothiazide is seen within 2 hours after taking the medicine. However, it is important to complete the whole treatment even if you feel better after taking few doses.
- Duration of effectThe effect of Hydrochlorothiazide lasts for an average duration of 24 hours. This medicine may remain in your body for 3 days.
- Safe with alcohol?Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while you are taking Hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the risk of dizziness, low blood pressure, etc. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating a machine.
- Is it habit forming?No habit-forming tendency has been reported for Hydrochlorothiazide.
- Usage in pregnancy?Limited data suggest that Hydrochlorothiazide may harm your developing foetus. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor for understanding all risks and benefits associated with this medicine.
- Usage while breast-feeding?Hydrochlorothiazide may pass into the breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
Allergy
Avoid taking Hydrochlorothiazide if you are previously allergic to it. A serious allergic reaction to this medicine is rare. Seek immediate medical attention if you notice any symptoms such as skin rash, itching/swelling (especially of the face/tongue/throat), severe dizziness, breathing difficulties, etc.
Anuria
Anuria is a condition where the kidney is unable to produce urine. Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended in anuria as it may worsen your condition.
Warnings for special population
Pregnancy
Limited data suggest that Hydrochlorothiazide may harm your developing foetus. If you are pregnant, talk to your doctor for understanding all risks and benefits associated with this medicine.
Breast-feeding
Hydrochlorothiazide may pass into the breastmilk. Hence, consult your doctor if you are breastfeeding.
General warnings
Liver impairment
Use Hydrochlorothiazide with extreme caution if you have liver diseases due to an increase in the risk of serious side effects. Close monitoring of liver function is necessary while taking this medicine. Report any symptoms of confusion or jaundice [yellow skin discolouration due to increased level of bilirubin (blood pigment)] to your doctor on priority.
Alteration in blood volume and electrolyte levels
Hydrochlorothiazide may alter the blood volume levels and electrolyte levels in your body. Close monitoring of blood pressure and electrolyte levels is necessary while taking this medicine. Report any symptoms such as weakness, lethargy, dry mouth muscle pain, drowsiness, dizziness, irregular heartbeat, etc. to your doctor immediately.
Kidney disease
Hydrochlorothiazide may cause azotemia (elevated levels of urea and other nitrogen compounds in the blood) if you have a history of severe renal disease. Close monitoring of kidney function is necessary while taking this medicine. Appropriate dose adjustments may be required based on your renal function.
Use in athletes
Hydrochlorothiazide is not recommended to be used by athletes as per the World Anti-Doping Agency (WADA).
Missed Dose
If a dose of Hydrochlorothiazide is missed, take the dose as soon as you remember. If it is time for the next dose, skip the missed dose and take the next dose. Do not double the dose to make up for the missed one.
Overdose
Never take more than the prescribed dose. Reach the nearest emergency medical department immediately or contact your doctor if you have accidentally or intentionally consumed more than the prescribed dose of Hydrochlorothiazide.
All drugs interact differently for person to person. You should check all the possible interactions with your doctor before starting any medicine.
Interaction with Alcohol
Description
N/A
Instructions
Consumption of alcohol is not recommended while you are taking Hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the risk of dizziness, low blood pressure, etc. Avoid performing any activities that require high mental alertness like driving a vehicle or operating a machine.
Interaction with Medicine
Insulin
Amitriptyline
Diclofenac
Disease interactions
Diabetes
Hydrochlorothiazide may increase the blood glucose levels if you have diabetes. Generally, these effects are reversible after stopping this medicine. Close monitoring of blood glucose levels is necessary while taking this medicine. Suitable dose adjustments may be required based on your clinical condition.
Hyperuricemia
Use Hydrochlorothiazide with caution if you have hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid in the blood) since this medicine decreases uric acid excretion. Consult your doctor if you have any concerns.
Food interactions
Information not available.
Lab interactions
Information not available.
Take Hydrochlorothiazide as advised by your doctor. Do not take in larger amounts than prescribed. Drink plenty of water and electrolytes to avoid dehydration.
Take Hydrochlorothiazide around the same time every day so that it is easy to remember. Try taking Hydrochlorothiazide during the daytime to avoid frequent urination at night.
Hydrochlorothiazide is prescribed for long-term use so do not stop taking this medicine without consulting your doctor.
For maximum benefits, you should adopt lifestyle changes like eating a low sodium and low-fat diet, exercising regularly, avoid smoking, etc along with taking this medicine.
Monitoring of kidney function and electrolytes levels is necessary while taking Hydrochlorothiazide.
Hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness, so be careful while standing up from a sitting position.
Miscelleneous
How it works
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill). It works by increasing the excretion of water and sodium from the kidneys. This helps in controlling your blood pressure as well as reduce swelling.
Legal Status
Classification
Category
Thiazide diuretics
Schedule
Schedule H
Dailymed.nlm.nih.gov. 2021. DailyMed - hydrochlorothiazide- Hydrochlorothiazide tablet. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 August 2021].
Accessdata.fda.gov. 2021. [online] Available at: < [Accessed 17 August 2021].
Drugs, H., 2021. Hydrochlorothiazide: MedlinePlus Drug Information. [online] Medlineplus.gov. Available at: < [Accessed 17 August 2021].
Information on this page was last updated on 18 Aug 2021
Disclaimer
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