Hydrochlorothiazide

Pronunciation

Brand Names

Canadian/Mexican Brand Names

Therapeutic Categories

What is this medicine used for?

• This medicine is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It gets rid of extra fluid (salt and water) in the body.

How does it work?

• Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) lowers blood pressure. It gets rid of extra salt and water in the body by acting on the kidneys.

How is it best taken?

• Take with food early in the day. This prevents getting up at night to use the bathroom.
• A liquid (solution) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before and after medicine is given.

What do I do if I miss a dose?

• Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
• If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to your regular schedule.
• Do not take a double dose or extra doses.

What are the precautions when taking this medicine?

• Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can worsen high blood pressure or fluid gain.
• Use caution if you are diabetic. Talk with healthcare provider. Can increase glucose.
• Not for use in kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
• You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen, wear protective clothing and eyewear.
• Watch for gout attacks. If you have sudden pain in a single joint, like the toe, talk with healthcare provider.
• Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure. These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are pregnant or plan on getting pregnant.
• Tell healthcare provider if you are breast-feeding.

What are the common side effects of this medicine?

• Lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or hobbies that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
• Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
• Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
• Low potassium. This may make you feel tired, weak, or have numbness, tingling, muscle cramps, constipation, vomiting, or rapid heartbeats. May require taking supplements and/or eating foods rich in potassium. Talk with healthcare provider.

What should I monitor?

• If you are using this medicine for fluid removal, check daily weight. Report a weight gain or lack of weight loss per week.
• If you are diabetic, check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider.
• Check blood pressure regularly.
• Follow diet plan (low salt) and exercise program as recommended by healthcare provider.
• Check blood work. Talk with healthcare provider.

Reasons to call healthcare provider immediately

• Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing; tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits; swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
• Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
• Signs of low potassium (see above). Can lead to serious heartbeat problems.
• Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
• Any rash.

How should I store this medicine?

• Store in a tight, light-resistant container at room temperature.

General statements

• Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's medicine.
• Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
• Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements, vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider (doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant)
• Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine, including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs, vitamins).

Copyright © 1978-2000 Lexi-Comp Inc. All Rights Reserved