What is Hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
Hydrochlorothiazide treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders, or edema caused by taking steroids or estrogen. This medication is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What is the most important information I should know about Hydrochlorothiazide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide or if you are unable to urinate.
Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma or allergies, gout, diabetes, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
There are many other medicines that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor. Keep a list with you of all the medicines you use and show this list to any doctor or other healthcare provider who treats you.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking Hydrochlorothiazide?
Do not use this medication if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide, or if you are unable to urinate.
Before using hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have:
- kidney disease
- liver disease
- asthma or allergies
- gout
- diabetes; or
- an allergy to sulfa drugs
If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take hydrochlorothiazide.
FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment.
Hydrochlorothiazide can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.
Hydrochlorothiazide Side Effects
What are the possible side effects of Hydrochlorothiazide?
Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.
Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have a serious side effect such as:
- dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting
- feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed
- fast or uneven heartbeat
- muscle pain or weakness
- numbness or tingly feeling
- a red, blistering, peeling skin rash; or
- nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)
Less serious side effects may include:
- diarrhea
- mild stomach pain
- constipation; or
- blurred vision
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Tell your doctor about any unusual or bothersome side effect. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
Hydrochlorothiazide Interactions
What other drugs affect Hydrochlorothiazide?
Before taking this medication, tell your doctor if you are using any of the following drugs:
- lithium
- digoxin (Lanoxin)
- cholestyramine (Prevalite, Questran) or colestipol (Colestid)
- steroids (prednisone and others)
- other blood pressure medications
- NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as aspirin, ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil), diclofenac (Voltaren), indomethacin, naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn), piroxicam (Feldene), nabumetone (Relafen), etodolac (Lodine), and others; or
- insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth
This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.
What should I avoid while taking Hydrochlorothiazide?
Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide.
Avoid using other medicines that make you light-headed (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression or anxiety). They can add to the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide. Tell your doctor if you regularly use any of these medicines, or any other blood pressure medications.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
Hydrochlorothiazide Dosage
How should I take Hydrochlorothiazide?
Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.
Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.
To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
Hydrochlorothiazide can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.
If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.
Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
What happens if I overdose on Hydrochlorothiazide?
Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, and muscle pain or weakness.
What happens if I miss a dose of Hydrochlorothiazide?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.
Sourced from everydayhealth.com