Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic that helps the kidneys get rid of excessive water and salt through urination.
What is Hydrochlorothiazide?
When used alone or in combination with other drugs, hydrochlorothiazide helps treat high blood pressure. It is also used to treat fluid retention associated with diseases that affect the heart, kidneys and liver or those associated with taking medications such as estrogen and corticosteroids. Hydrochlorothiazide can also be useful in treating diabetes insipidus and helping prevent kidney stones in the presence of high levels of calcium in the blood.
How should Hydrochlorothiazide be taken?
Hydrochlorothiazide can be taken orally in the form of tablets, capsules or solutions. It should normally be taken once or twice a day. When it is used to treat water retention, the dosage may drop to only a few doses per week.
Side effects associated with Hydrochlorothiazide
The possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide include the following:
- Diarrhea
- Headache
- Frequent urination
- Hair loss
- Loss of appetite
It is important to contact a doctor immediately if taking the drug triggers:
- Rapid heartbeat
- Confusion
- Weakness
- Muscle weakness, pain or cramps
- Difficulty breathing or difficulty swallowing
- Continuous pain rising from the stomach but spreading to the back
- Pain or joint swelling
- Bruising or unjustified bleeding
- Fever, sore throat, chills and other symptoms of infection
- Restlessness
- Nausea
- Urticaria
- Vision problems, eye pain or swelling or redness around the area
- Itching
- Rash
- Dry mouth
- Thirst
- Drowsiness
- Fatigue
- Blistering or peeling of the skin
- Vomiting
Contraindications and warnings associated with the use of Hydrochlorothiazide
In case of simultaneous treatment with cholestyramine or colestipol, the medication must be taken one hour before or four hours after hydrochlorothiazide. It is also important to remember that hydrochlorothiazide may make the skin sensitive to light. When it is taken, it is advised to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to the sun's rays and protect oneself with clothing, sunglasses and high-protection sunscreens. Since the drug can cause dizziness and fainting, it is advised to be careful when you get up from a lying position, especially in the early stages of treatment.
Before taking hydrochlorothiazide, it is important to inform your doctor:
- If you have any allergies to the active substance, to sulfa antibiotics, penicillin or any other medication
- If you are taking any medications, herbal remedies or supplements. Mentioning in particular: barbiturates, corticosteroids, corticotrophin, insulin, oral hypoglycemic agents, NSAIDs, analgesics and antihypertensive drugs
- If you suffer from kidney disease
- If you suffer (or have suffered) from diabetes, asthma, gout, lupus, high cholesterol or liver disease
- If you are pregnant or breastfeeding
