Precautions
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (this means it increases urination) that works by inhibiting the reabsorption of salts in the kidneys. Hydrochlorothiazide also lowers blood pressure in people with high blood pressure by an unknown mechanism; people with normal blood pressure are not usually affected by hydrochlorothiazide.
Can HCTZ raise blood pressure?
Triamterene is a potassium-sparing diuretic that also prevents your body from absorbing too much salt and keeps your potassium levels from getting too low. hydrochlorothiazide and triamterene is usually given to people in whom other diuretics have caused hypokalemia (low potassium levels in your blood).
Is HCTZ potassium sparing?
Side effects requiring immediate medical attention
- Back, leg, or stomach pains
- black, tarry stools
- bleeding gums
- blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
- bloating
- blood in the urine or stools
- blue lips and fingernails
- blurred vision
- burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
- chest pain or tightness
What are the side effects of stopping hydrochlorothiazide?
The fact that hydrochlorothiazide causes weight loss shouldn’t be very surprising given that it functions as a diuretic – causing the body to excrete sodium and water stores. Dose effect: Greater average weight loss is observed at doses of 200 mg/day vs. 100 mg/day and 50 mg/day.
Does hydrochlorothiazide make you lose weight?
What is the effect of HCTZ on electrolytes?
How long does hydrochlorothiazide last?
Which diuretic is most commonly used for hypertension?
What is the Creative Commons 4.0 license?
What happens when you have toxic electrolytes?
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Is HCTZ a diuretic?
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How HCTZ affects electrolytes?
Hydrochlorothiazide affects electrolyte and fluid balance in the body, which can have serious side effects. This medication may cause low sodium levels (hyponatremia), low potassium levels (hypokalemia), and low magnesium levels (hypomagnesemia).
What is a major adverse effect of hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide can lower your electrolyte levels. Taking corticosteroids with hydrochlorothiazide can cause further loss of electrolytes (especially potassium). Low potassium levels can lead to constipation, fatigue, muscle breakdown, and weakness.
Which electrolyte disturbance is the most frequent problem with thiazide diuretics?
Conclusions. Prescription of a thiazide diuretic in primary care is associated with a high frequency of hyponatraemia and hypokalaemia.
Which diuretics cause electrolyte imbalance?
Therapy with a loop- or thiazide-type diuretic may be associated with a variety of fluid and electrolyte complications, including volume depletion, azotemia, hypokalemia, metabolic alkalosis, hyponatremia, hyperuricemia, and hypomagnesemia [1].
Should you drink a lot of water when taking hydrochlorothiazide?
To prevent dehydration, drink plenty of fluids unless your doctor directs you otherwise. If you have diabetes, hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood sugar. Check your blood sugar regularly as directed by your doctor. Your doctor may need to adjust your diabetes medication, exercise program, or diet.
Why is hydrochlorothiazide being recalled?
Pfizer has issued a voluntarily recall of certain lots of quinapril HCl/hydrochlorothiazide tablets and additional lots distributed by Greenstone due to high levels of a nitrosamine known to be carcinogenic in high doses.
What is a major side effect of thiazide diuretic?
Side effects include increased urination and sodium loss. Diuretics can also affect blood potassium levels. If you take a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level can drop too low (hypokalemia), which can cause life-threatening problems with your heartbeat.
What is electrolyte imbalance symptoms?
What are electrolyte imbalance symptoms?Confusion and irritability.Diarrhea or constipation.Fatigue.Headaches.Irregular or fast heart rate (arrhythmia).Muscle cramps, muscle spasms or weakness.Nausea and vomiting.Numbness or tingling in limbs, fingers and toes.
What are the adverse effects of thiazide diuretics?
Adverse effects of thiazide diuretics stem from the ionic imbalance caused due to the initial Na loss in the DCT.Hypokalemia. ... Hyponatremia. ... Metabolic alkalosis. ... Hypercalcemia. ... Hyperglycemia. ... Hyperuricemia. ... Hyperlipidemia. ... Sulfonamide allergy.
Should I take potassium with hydrochlorothiazide?
If you take a low dose of chlorthalidone or hydrochlorothiazide and have normal kidney function, your doctor will probably recommend getting potassium from dietary sources. You can boost your potassium intake from the same foods that are heart healthy - vegetables, fruits and fish.
Does HCTZ cause hyponatremia?
Even patients who have done well on chronic thiazide therapy may develop severe hyponatremia if water intake increases.
Does hydrochlorothiazide cause loss of potassium?
Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolized, and a majority is excreted in the urine unchanged. It also causes a loss of potassium and bicarbonate.
Does hydrochlorothiazide cause hypokalemia?
Some reports suggest that doses of 12.5 to 25 mg daily of hydrochlorothiazide or chlorthalidone may produce less hypokalemia than doses of ≥50 mg daily. The mechanism responsible for this drug-induced hypokalemia involves increased renal excretion of potassium.
Does hydrochlorothiazide cause loss of potassium?
Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolized, and a majority is excreted in the urine unchanged. It also causes a loss of potassium and bicarbonate.
What are the benefits and side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a medication used to treat high blood pressure and edema. It can cause a range of side effects, including cramps, pain, and skin changes. Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) is a diuretic used to treat high blood pressure. It may interact with alcohol, other blood pressure medications, and lithium.
Can hydrochlorothiazide cause hyponatremia?
Additionally, female gender or type 2 diabetes mellitus are significant risk factors for reduced sodium levels in patients receiving hydrochlorothiazide or indapamide. Thiazide-associated hyponatremia is more commonly encountered in elderly individuals with low body mass or low-sodium diet.
Before Taking This Medicine
You should not use HCTZ if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide, or if you are unable to urinate.To make sure you can safely take HCTZ, tell you...
What Happens If I Miss A Dose?
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. Skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next scheduled dose. Do not take extra medicine to...
What Happens If I Overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, dizziness, dry mout...
What Other Drugs Will Affect Hctz?
Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you light-headed (such as cold medicine, pain medication, muscle relaxers, and medi...
Hydrochlorothiazide: 7 things you should know - Drugs.com
Drugs.com provides accurate and independent information on more than 24,000 prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines and natural products. This material is provided for educational purposes only and is not intended for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. Data sources include IBM Watson Micromedex (updated 12 Oct 2022), Cerner Multum™ (updated 21 Sep 2022), ASHP (updated 12 Oct 2022 ...
Hydrochlorothiazide: Side effects, dosage, uses, and more
Hydrochlorothiazide oral tablet is a prescription medication that's used to treat high blood pressure, and swelling caused by heart failure, liver damage, and certain medications. It's only ...
Hydrochlorothiazide: Uses, Dosage, Side Effects - Drugs.com
Hydrochlorothiazide treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders. Learn about side effects, interactions and indications.
Hydrochlorothiazide Oral: Uses, Side Effects, Interactions ... - WebMD
Find patient medical information for hydrochlorothiazide oral on WebMD including its uses, side effects and safety, interactions, pictures, warnings and user ratings.
Hydrochlorothiazide (Oral Route) Side Effects - Mayo Clinic
Side Effects. Drug information provided by: IBM Micromedex Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.
How many people take HCTZ?
We suspect that hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ or HCT for short) is the most prescribed drug in America on a daily basis. HCTZ is taken regularly by over 20 million people. More than 115 million prescriptions are dispensed annually. Many doctors believe that hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) side effects are mild and rare.
What minerals are in HCTZ?
Diuretics like HCTZ can deplete the body of critical minerals. That includes potassium, sodium, magnesium and zinc. When these electrolytes get out of whack it can be very dangerous.
Does HCTZ have to be FDA approved?
The FDA requires manufacturers of thiazide diuretics like HCTZ to state in the official prescribing information that: “In diabetic patients dosage adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic [diabetes] agents may be required. Hyperglycemia [diabetes] may occur with thiazide . diuretics.
Does HCTZ cause gout?
A. Gout is an excruciating inflammation of one or more joints linked to high uric acid levels . Diuretics like HCTZ (hydrochlorothiazide) can indeed raise uric acid levels. Such medicines are often prescribed to lower blood pressure. Other readers have also experienced gout after taking HCTZ:
How many people should have a lower blood pressure?
That means that nearly half of all adults in the United states (103 million people) will be exhorted to lower their BP.
Is HCTZ a good BP med?
They lower blood pressure and can help control fluid build up (edema). Side effects are not as serious as with some other BP meds. But patients must be told about problems like dizziness, electrolyte imbalances and some of the potential complications like gout.
Is HCTZ a diuretic?
Patients are not always warned about adverse drug reactions. We think people need to know more about this widely prescribed diuretic and blood pressure medicine.
What is HCTZ?
HCTZ ( hydrochlorothiazide) is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.
How should I take HCTZ?
Take HCTZ exactly as prescribed by your doctor. Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
What should I avoid while taking HCTZ?
HCTZ may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Your doctor may want you to have skin examinations on a regular basis.
What are the side effects of HCTZ?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide ( hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
What happens if you take HCTZ while pregnant?
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you take HCTZ during pregnancy, your newborn baby may develop jaundice or other problems.
How often should I take a 25 mg med?
Usual dose: 25 mg to 100 mg orally once or twice daily. Comments: -Some patients respond to intermittent therapy, (i.e., administration on alternate days or on 3 to 5 days each week). Excessive response and undesirable electrolyte imbalance are less likely to occur with intermittent dosing.
What is Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide?
Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide has active ingredients of hydrochlorothiazide; triamterene. It is often used in high blood pressure. eHealthMe is studying from 7,836 Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide users for its effectiveness, alternative drugs and more.
What is Electrolyte imbalance?
Electrolyte imbalance is found to be associated with 1,672 drugs and 999 conditions by eHealthMe.
How to use the study?
You can use the report to supplement drug labels on your pill bottles or discuss it with your doctor, to ensure that all drug risks and benefits are fully discussed and understood.
What percentage of people have nausea?
Nausea (feeling of having an urge to vomit): 1 person, 4.76%
Can triamterene cause electrolyte imbalance?
Electrolyte imbalance is found among people who take Triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide, especially for people who are female, 60+ old, have been taking the drug for 1 - 6 months.
Can you stop a medication without a doctor?
WARNING: Please DO NOT STOP MEDICATIONS without first consulting a physician since doing so could be hazardous to your health.
Did You Know?
There is no evidence to assert the safety of hydrochlorothiazide during pregnancy.
How to know if you are on a syringe?
As the medication works by increasing the urinary rate to control blood pressure, there is a possibility that this may lead to abnormally high amount of fluid loss, which may lead to dehydration. The symptoms that may occur are as follows: 1 Muscle cramps 2 Rapid heartbeat 3 Excessively dry mouth 4 Poor urine output
How long does it take for a reaction to occur after taking a sulfate supplement?
In quite a few cases, a severe allergic reaction is sudden and occurs immediately after taking the dose, whereas a mild allergic reaction begins after a few hours or a couple of weeks, after taking the dose .
Does hydrochlorothiazide increase urine flow?
Frequent trips to the toilet is a given for patients put on this medication. This happens because hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill, so its intake increases the urinary rate. Once the body adjusts to the dosage within a few weeks, the flow of urine may soon return to normal.
Does hydrochlorothiazide cause headaches?
Home / General Health / Side Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide. Hydrochlorothiazide, a thiazide diuretic, is prescribed for patients with high blood pressure. Stomach upset, headache, frequent urination, electrolyte imbalance, and dizziness are some of the most common side effects of this medication. The following HealthHearty article tells you more ...
Can hydrochlorothiazide cause high blood sugar?
» High Blood Sugar#N#Thiazide-type diuretics like hydrochlorothiazide can also elevate blood sugar. So, diabetic patients who already face issues controlling blood sugar, need to talk to a doctor about their condition and determine whether it would be appropriate to take this medication. The rise in blood sugar levels can cause drowsiness, confusion, and excessive thirst.
Can hydrochlorothiazide make you dizzy?
A person taking hydrochlorothiazide may feel dizzy in the initial days of treatment. So, when put on this medication, avoid standing up too fast, as it can make you feel dizzy, and you are likely to lose your balance.
What is hydrochlorothiazide used for?
Hydrochlorothiazide oral tablet is used to treat high blood pressure, and swelling caused by heart failure, liver damage, and certain medications.
What temperature should hydrochlorothiazide be stored?
Store hydrochlorothiazide at a temperature between 68°F and 77°F (20°C and 25°C).
What is a class of drugs?
A class of drugs is a group of medications that work in a similar way. These drugs are often used to treat similar conditions. It isn’t known exactly how hydrochlorothiazide works. It’s thought that it works to remove excess salt and water from your body.
What are the side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?
More common side effects. The more common side effects that can occur with hydrochlorothiazide include: blood pressure that’s lower than normal ( especially when standing up after sitting or lying down) dizziness. headache. weakness. erectile dysfunction (trouble getting or keeping an erection)
What to do if you have serious side effects?
Call your doctor right away if you have serious side effects. Call 911 if your symptoms feel life-threatening or if you think you’re having a medical emergency. Serious side effects and their symptoms can include the following:
Can hydrochlorothiazide cause low blood pressure?
Taking hydrochlorothiazide with narcotics can make your blood pressure drop too low. You may have symptoms such as feeling dizzy when you stand up after sitting or lying down. Examples of these drugs include:
Is hydrochlorothiazide a prescription drug?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a prescription drug. It comes as a tablet or capsule that you take by mouth.
How to diagnose electrolyte imbalance?
Diagnosis of an electrolyte imbalance can be performed with a simple blood test. Electrolytes are usually tested as a group, along with other electrolytes and additional key laboratory values.
Why do you need electrolytes for a child?
For example, a child that is losing a lot of fluids through vomiting or diarrhea might benefit from an electrolyte drink to help prevent them from becoming dehydrated. Your pediatrician’s office may be able to provide guidance about when this might be helpful.
Why are electrolytes important?
For example, electrolytes are necessary for the proper contraction of your muscles , including the muscles of your heart. If your electrolyte levels are off , it can affect the way your nerves signal in the body.
What happens if your electrolyte levels are off?
If your electrolyte levels are off, it can affect the way your nerves signal in the body. They are critical for making sure your blood doesn’t become too acidic or too alkaline. Some electrolytes, like calcium, are key for blood clotting and bone health.
What happens if you have too much electrolyte?
For example, if a certain electrolyte is too high, the kidney might try to release more of it in your urine. Problems can happen if electrolytes are too high or too low. That's called an electrolyte imbalance, when the concentration of the specific electrolyte falls outside the normal range.
What does the prefix "hypo" mean?
The prefix “hypo” refers to low levels , and “hyper” refers to high levels of a specific electrolyte. Electrolyte imbalances can cause problems themselves, but they are also often indicators of other problems in the body. For that reason, they play an important role in the diagnosis of many different medical conditions.
What happens if you lose a lot of fluid?
For example, prolonged exercise with lots of sweating might cause an imbalance. Vomiting, diarrhea, and severe burns are all causes of fluid loss that might lead to electrolyte imbalances. 4 .
Why do people need dialysis?
If a person has a more severe case of kidney disease, they may need dialysis to correct an electrolyte imbalance. Electrolyte imbalances can be dangerous. If an imbalance is severe, a person may need to receive electrolytes through an intravenous, or IV, line in a hospital.
What does it mean when your electrolytes are too high?
When levels of electrolytes become too high or low, this is an electrolyte imbalance. It is not a disease, but it is a sign of another issue in the body.
What is electrolyte imbalance?
An electrolyte imbalance can occur if the body has too much or too little water. Electrolytes are minerals in the blood, tissues, and elsewhere throughout the body. Their name refers to the fact that they have an electrical charge. Below, learn what an electrolyte imbalance may feel like, what to look out for, and when to seek medical advice.
What are the risks of electrolytes in children?
A child with an underlying health condition — such as thyroid, heart, or kidney disease — may have a higher risk of an electrolyte imbalance. If a child is at risk of dehydration or an electrolyte imbalance, seek urgent medical attention.
Why do children have a higher risk of dehydration than adults?
Children have a higher risk of dehydration than adults because of their smaller size and faster metabolism of fluids and electrolytes. If a child gets sick with severe vomiting or diarrhea, they may develop an electrolyte imbalance that requires medical attention.
What organs help maintain electrolytes?
The kidneys and liver help keep levels of electrolytes balanced. If a person is eating a variety of foods and drinking enough fluids, electrolytes usually stay at the right levels. Examples of electrolytes in the human body include: When levels of electrolytes become too high or low, this is an electrolyte imbalance.
How long does it take to correct electrolyte imbalance?
In this case, a person may be able to correct the imbalance at home over a period of days or weeks. However, a doctor should monitor this process to be sure that the person is getting the correct amounts.
What is the effect of HCTZ on electrolytes?
HCTZ can cause electrolyte and/or fluid imbalances, including hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, and/or hypomagnesemia. [10]
How long does hydrochlorothiazide last?
Pharmacological effects begin in about 2 hours after an oral dose, peaks in 4 hours, and lasts for about 6 to 12 hours. Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolized, and a majority is excreted in the urine unchanged. It also causes a loss of potassium and bicarbonate.
Which diuretic is most commonly used for hypertension?
Of the thiazide diuretics, hydrochlorothiazide is the most frequently used for the treatment of hypertension. Unfortunately, over the past decade, the use of hydrochlorothiazide has been declining, and it is being replaced by the angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors, which overall are far more effective and have fewer adverse effects.
What is the Creative Commons 4.0 license?
This book is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/), which permits use, duplication, adaptation, distribution, and reproduction in any medium or format, as long as you give appropriate credit to the original author(s) and the source, a link is provided to the Creative Commons license, and any changes made are indicated.
What happens when you have toxic electrolytes?
Toxicity results in dehydration and electrolyte deficiencies such as hypokalemia, hypochloremia, and hyponatremia. This occurs because of excessive diuresis. Treatment is supportive such as fluids and electrolyte replacement. If the patient becomes hypotensive, vasopressors can be used. [2]
What is NCBI bookshelf?
NCBI Bookshelf. A service of the National Library of Medicine, National Institutes of Health.
Is HCTZ a diuretic?
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide-type diuretic which has been used clinically for more than half a century. The drug has been widely used to treat hypertension globally and is relatively very safe. Hydrochlorothiazide acts on the distal convoluted tubules and inhibits the sodium chloride co-transporter system.
