Hydrochlorothiazide

What is Hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide helps prevent the body from absorbing excessive salt. This can lead to fluid retention.Hypertension is treated with hydrochlorothiazide.Hydrochlorothiazide can also be used to treat fluid accumulation (edema). This is a condition that occurs in patients with congestive cardiac failure, liver cirrhosis, kidney problems, or edema due to taking estrogen or steroids.

Side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide

If you experience signs of an allergic response to hydrochlorothiazide, such as hives, difficulty breathing, swelling on your face or in your throat, or a severe reaction, such as a fever, sore throat or burning eyes, or skin pain or blistering, seek emergency medical attention.

If you experience:

• A feeling of lightheadedness;
• Eye pain and vision problems
• Jaundice is characterized by yellowing of both skin and eyes.
• Pale skin, easy bruising, and unusual bleeding (nose or mouth, vaginal or rectum);
• Shortness of breath; wheezing; cough with foamy or mucus-like mucus. Chest pain.
• Symptoms of dehydration: feeling thirsty, hot, or unable to urinate. Heavy sweating or hot skin.
• Signs of an Electrolyte Imbalance: increased thirst, nausea, and confusion Constipation: muscle pain, leg cramps, or bone pain

Hydrochlorothiazide may cause side effects such as:

• Weakness;
• Feeling like you might pass out;
• Nausea or vomiting, a severe stomach ache that spreads to the back.
• Fever, chills, and tiredness; mouth sores or skin sores; easy bruising or bleeding; pale skin, hands, or feet
• Electrolyte imbalance.

There may be other side effects. For medical advice on side effects, call your doctor. Contact the FDA by calling 1-800-FDA-1088 if experiencing adverse side effects from medications.

Warnings

If you can't urinate, then hydrochlorothiazide is not for you.Tell your doctor before using hydrochlorothiazide if you suffer from liver disease, kidney diseases, glaucoma or allergies, gout or diabetes, or are allergic to penicillin or sulfa drugs.Alcohol can increase the side effects caused by hydrochlorothiazide.Avoid overheating or dehydration during exercise and hot weather. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of liquid to drink. Drinking too much liquid is as dangerous as not drinking enough.Hydrochlorothiazide can interact with many other drugs. Inform your doctor of all the medications you take. Included are prescription, over-the-counter, herbal, vitamin, and vitamin products. Never start a new medicine without consulting your doctor. List all of your medications and give them to every healthcare provider you see.Even if you're feeling fine, continue to take hydrochlorothiazide if you have high blood pressure. High blood pressure can often be symptomless.

Before you take this drug

If you have an allergy to hydrochlorothiazide or are unable to urinate, you should avoid using it.

Tell your doctor about any of the following to ensure that hydrochlorothiazide will be safe for you:

• Kidney disease
• Liver disease
• Gout;
• Glaucoma;
• Low levels of potassium or sodium
• High levels of calcium in the blood
• Parathyroid disorder.
• Diabetes
• An allergy to penicillin or sulfa drugs

Inform your doctor about your pregnancy or plans to get pregnant. Your newborn may suffer from jaundice or other complications if you take hydrochlorothiazide while pregnant.This medicine should not be used while breastfeeding.Anyone younger than 18 is not allowed to use hydrochlorothiazide.

Similar/related drugs

Evenity, amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, and spironolactone

How to take Hydrochlorothiazide?

Follow the instructions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Read all the instructions and directions that come with your prescription. Sometimes your doctor will change the dose.If you experience persistent nausea, diarrhea, or are sweating more often than normal, call your doctor. Hydrochlorothiazide can cause dehydration, which can result in low pressure and a serious electrolyte imbalance.You will need to check your blood pressure often. If you are dehydrated or have vomited, your blood and urine will be tested.Tell your surgeon, if you are considering surgery, that you use this medication. You may have to stop using this medicine for a while.Even if you are feeling well, continue to take hydrochlorothiazide according to the instructions. High blood pressure can often be symptomless. Blood pressure medication may be needed for the rest of your life.Store away from heat, moisture, and freezing. When not in use, keep the bottle tightly shut.

Details on dosage

Adult dose for edema:

Use 25 mg–100 mg orally, once or twice a day.
Comments:
Some patients respond well to intermittent therapy (i.e., administration on alternate days, or 3 to 5 times per week). Intermittent dosing is less likely to cause an excessive response or undesirable electrolyte balance.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 25mg orally, once daily.
Maintenance dose: Increase to 50 mg daily orally, either in a single dose or two divided doses.
Comments:
When used in conjunction with other antihypertensive drugs, patients usually don't need doses above 50 mg per day.

Adult dose for nephrocalcinosis:

Initial: 25 mg once daily.
Maintenance dose: Increase to 50 mg twice a day.

Adult dose for osteoporosis:

Initial: 25 mg once daily.
Maintenance dose: Increase to 50 mg daily.

Adult dosage for diabetes insipidus:

Initial: 50 mg once daily.
Increase the maintenance dose to 100 mg daily.

Usual pediatric dose for edema:

In less than 6 months, up to 3 mg/kg/day orally divided into 2 doses
If less than 2 years old: Orally, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (0.50 to 1 mg/pound), either as a single daily dose or divided into two doses.
Maximum dose: 37.5 mg per day.
From 2 to 12 Years: Orally, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (0.50 to 1 mg/pound), either as a single dosage or two divided doses.
Maximum dose: 100 mg per day.

The usual pediatric dose for hypertension is:

In less than 6 months, up to 3 mg/kg/day orally divided into 2 doses
If less than 2 years old: Orally, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (0.50 to 1 mg/pound), either as a single daily dose or divided into two doses.
Maximum dose: 37.5 mg per day.
From 2 to 12 Years: Orally, 1 to 2 mg/kg/day (0.50 to 1 mg/pound), either as a single dosage or two divided doses.
Maximum dose: 100 mg per day.

What happens if I miss the dose?

If you are almost due for your next dose, skip the missed one. Never take two doses of the same medicine at once.

What happens if I overdose?

Call 1-800-222-1222 immediately if you suspect poisoning or seek immediate medical advice.Overdose symptoms include dizziness and nausea. Other symptoms are dry mouth, muscle pain, or weakness.

What should be avoided?

Skin cancer is increased by hydrochlorothiazide. Avoid tanning beds or sunlight. When you're outdoors, wear protective clothing and apply sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher). You may be asked by your doctor to undergo regular skin checks.Alcohol consumption with hydrochlorothiazide may cause adverse effects.You could experience dizziness if you stand up too quickly from sitting or lying position.Drink enough fluids to avoid becoming dehydrated or overheated during exercise or in hot weather. You should follow your doctor's advice on the amount and type of fluids to drink. Drinking too much liquid is as dangerous as not drinking enough.

Interaction with other drug

This effect can be worsened by taking hydrochlorothiazide along with other drugs that cause you to feel lightheaded. Before taking opioids, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, or medicines for anxiety or seizures, consult your doctor.

Tell your doctor about your other medications, including:

• Cholestyramine, colestipol;
• Insulin, or oral diabetes medication
• Lithium;
• Other blood pressure medications
• Steroid medicine; or
• Nsaids are nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications. These include aspirin (advil), ibuprofen, naproxen, diclofenac (indomethacin), celecoxib (aleve), and many others.

This list is incomplete. Hydrochlorothiazide can interact with other drugs, including vitamins and herbal products. This list does not cover all possible drug interactions.