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Chlorthalidone

Generic Name: Chlorthalidone  [klor-THAL-i-done]
The Brand Names are Hygroton and Thalitone.
Dosage Format: Oral tablet (25 mg, 50 mg)
Drug Class: Thiazide diuretics

What Is Chlorthalidone?

Chlorthalidone can be described as a thiazide diuretic (water pill), which helps to prevent your body from taking in excessive amounts of salt, which could result in the retention of fluids.

Chlorthalidone helps treat water retention (edema) in patients suffering from the conditions of congestive heart disease, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney problems, or edema that is caused by the use of estrogen or steroids.Chlorthalidone also helps for treating hypertension (hypertension).Chlorthalidone can also be employed for reasons not mentioned in this guideline for medication.

Side effects Of Chlorthalidone

See a doctor immediately. If you are experiencing symptoms that are warning signs of an allergic response, such as difficulty breathing, hives, and swelling of your lips, face, and tongue,

Chlorthalidone could cause serious adverse side effects. Contact your doctor immediately. If you suffer from:

  • A lightheaded sensation, similar to feeling like you're about to pass out.
  • low sodium: headache, confusion, slurred speech, extreme fatigue, vomiting, inability to move, and feeling unstable;
  • Low potassium: leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering around your chest, thirst, increased need to urinate, numbness or tenderness in muscles, or a limb sensation;
  • Low magnesium—dizziness, irregular heartbeats, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, coughing or choking feeling;
  • Kidney issues: little or no urine output, swelling of your ankles and feet, fatigue, or a shortness of breath.

Common negative side effects of chlorthalidone include:

  • Low blood pressure (feeling lightheaded);
  • Kidney problems;
  • Dizziness;
  • An electrical imbalance (such as a low level of sodium, potassium, and magnesium in the blood).

This isn't a complete list of all the side effects. Other effects may also be present. Consult your physician for advice regarding medical adverse effects. You may report any adverse reactions to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Warnings

It is not recommended to use chlorthalidone when you're not able to urinate or if you're allergic to sulfa-based drugs.

Before you Take this Drug

Chlorthalidone should not be used in the event that you have an allergy to it, or:

  • It is impossible to urinate
  • You're intolerant to sulfa medications.

Speak to your doctor if you are ever diagnosed with:

  • Kidney disease;
  • Heart failure;
  • Gout;
  • High cholesterol or triglycerides
  • Diabetes
  • If you're following an e-diet that is low in salt.

Discuss with your doctor whether you are expecting or planning to be expecting. Taking chlorthalidone during pregnancy can cause adverse effects for the baby's newborn, like jaundice (yellowing of the eyes or skin), bleeding, bruising or bleeding, low blood sugar, or electrolyte imbalance.

Do not begin and stop taking chlorthalidone throughout pregnancy without seeking advice from your doctor. Although chlorthalidone may cause adverse reactions for a baby who has high blood pressure during pregnancy, this could lead to complications like diabetes or even eclampsia (dangerously elevated blood pressure that could result in medical problems for both the mother and baby). The advantages of treating hypertension can outweigh any risk for the baby.

It is not recommended to breastfeed when you are taking chlorthalidone.

How To Take Chlorthalidone?

Follow the instructions on the prescription label and go through all medication guides or instruction sheets. The doctor might alter the dosage. Make sure you take the medicine precisely as directed.

Contact your physician if you are suffering from vomiting or diarrhea or notice that you are sweating more than normal. It is possible to become dehydrated when taking chlorthalidone. This can result in lower blood pressure levels, a significant electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.Your blood pressure needs to be regularly checked. The urine and blood could be tested in the event that you've had a stomach upset or are dehydrated.

Chlorthalidone may alter the results of certain medical tests. Inform any physician who treats you that you're taking chlorthalidone.If you require surgery, inform your surgeon that you use this medication.

If you suffer from hypertension, you should continue the medication even if you feel fine. The presence of high blood pressure is often accompanied by no signs. It is possible that you will need medication for high blood pressure throughout your life.The medicine should be stored at room temperature, away from moisture, light, and heat. The bottle should be kept tightly shut when not in use.

Details on Dosage

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dosage: 25 mg orally at least once per day.
Titration: Increase the dose to 50 mg daily if the response is insufficient. If response remains insufficient, increase the dose to 100 mg once every day, or another antihypertensive medication (step two therapy) could be added.
Maintenance dosage: 25–100 mg taken orally every day
Maximum dosage: 100 mg orally every day, once
Comments:
Doses should be taken early in the morning, before breakfast.
The maintenance doses can be less than the initial doses and must be adjusted to suit your individual response to treatment.
The effectiveness is maintained well with continued use.
Use to treat hypertension (alone or in combination with an antihypertensive medication)

Usual Adult Dose for Edema:

Initial dose: 50–100 mg orally daily or 100 mg every other day; certain patients might require 150–200 mg daily between these times.
Maximum dosage: 200 mg orally every day, once
Comments:
Doses are best taken early in the morning and taken together with breakfast.
The maintenance doses can be lower than the initial doses and must be adjusted to suit the individual patient's response.
The effectiveness is maintained well with continued use.
Use: To treat edema due to various types that result from the renal system, like the nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, or persistent renal impairment.

What Happens if I Miss the Dose?

You should take the medication as quickly as you are able, but avoid any missed doses if you are close to the time of the next dose. Don't take two doses at a time.

What Happens If I Overdose?

For medical emergencies, seek emergency medical attention or contact the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms can include nausea or weakness. dizziness, sleepiness, extreme thirst, muscle pain, or heartbeats that are rapid.

What Should be Avoided?

Consuming alcohol with chlorthalidone could result in adverse effects.Do not get up too quickly from a lying or sitting position, as you could be dizzy.

Be careful not to become dehydrated or hot during workouts, in hot weather, or simply by not drinking enough fluids. Follow the instructions of your doctor regarding the types and amounts of fluids you must consume. In certain situations, drinking too much fluid can be just as harmful as drinking too little.

Interaction with Other Drugs

Chlorthalidone in combination with other medications that cause lightheadedness can increase the severity of this effect. Talk to your doctor prior to using opioids, sleeping pills, a muscle relaxer, or medication to treat anxiety or seizures.

Inform your doctor about any other medications you take, including:

  • Other blood pressure medications,
  • Lithium;
  • Digoxin, digitalis;
  • Insulin or oral diabetes medicine
  • Steroid medicine.

This list is not exhaustive. Other medications can affect chlorthalidone, such as medications that are prescribed and available over the counter, vitamins, and herbal products. Some interactions with drugs may not be listed here. are listed here.