Hydrochlorothiazide: functions, dosage, side effects, how to use

What Drug Hydrochlorothiazide?

What is Hydrochlorothiazide for?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a drug with a function to treat high blood pressure. Lowering high blood pressure can prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems. Hydrochlorothiazide is a "water pill" (diuretic) that can cause increased urine output. This will help your body to remove excess salt and water from the body.

This medicine also reduces excess fluid from the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease. And can reduce symptoms such as shortness of breath or swelling in the ankles or feet.

Hydrochlorothiazide dosage and side effects of hydrochlorothiazide are detailed below.

How to use Hydrochlorothiazide?

Follow the rules given by your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment. If you have any questions, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Take this medication as directed by your doctor, usually once a day in the morning with or without food. It is better to avoid taking this medicine approximately 4 hours before your bedtime to prevent waking up at night to urinate.

The dosage is based on the medical condition and response to treatment. Take this medicine regularly to get maximum benefits. To help you remember, take this medication at the same time each day. It is important to continue taking this medication even if you feel better. Most people with high blood pressure don't feel sick.

Cholestyramine and colestipol can decrease the absorption of hydrochlorothiazide. If you are taking either of these drugs, take this medication about 4 hours before or after taking hydrochlorothiazide.

Tell your doctor if your condition does not get better or gets worse (for example, your blood pressure increases).

How to store Hydrochlorothiazide?

This medication is best stored at room temperature, away from direct light and damp places. Don't keep it in the bathroom. Don't freeze it. Other brands of this drug may have different storage rules. Observe the storage instructions on the product package or ask your pharmacist. Keep all medicines away from children and pets.

Do not flush medicines down the toilet or down the drain unless instructed to do so. Discard this product when it has expired or when it is no longer needed. Consult your pharmacist or local waste disposal company about how to safely dispose of your product.

Hydrochlorothiazide dosage

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult your doctor or pharmacist before starting treatment.

What is the dosage of Hydrochlorothiazide for adults?

Standard adult dosage for edema:

Standard dosage: 25 mg to 100 mg orally once or twice daily

Standard adult dosage for hypertension: Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: may be increased to 50 mg orally every day, as a single dose or 2 portion doses.

Standard adult dosage for nephrocalcinosis:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: may be increased to 50 mg twice daily

Standard adult dosage for osteoporosis:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: may be increased by 50 mg daily

Standard adult dosage for diabetes insipidus:

Initial dose: 50 mg orally once a day

Maintenance dose: can be increased by 100 mg orally every day

What is the dosage of Hydrochlorothiazide for children?

Standard pediatric dosage for edema:

Less than 6 months: up to 3 mg / kg / day (up to 1.5 mg / pound) taken by mouth in 2 part doses Less than 2 years: 1 to 2 mg / kg / day (0.5 to 1 mg / pound) taken daily in doses single or divided into 2 doses Maximum dose 37.5 mg per day 2 to 12 years: 1 to 2 mg / kg / day (0.5 to 1 mg / pound) taken daily as a single dose or divided into 2 doses Maximum dose 100 mg per day

Standard pediatric dosage for hypertension:

Less than 6 months: up to 3 mg / kg / day (up to 1.5 mg / pound) taken by mouth in 2 part doses Less than 2 years: 1 to 2 mg / kg / day (0.5 to 1 mg / pound) taken daily in doses single or divided into 2 doses Maximum dose 37.5 mg per day 2 to 12 years: 1 to 2 mg / kg / day (0.5 to 1 mg / pound) taken daily in single doses or divided into 2 doses Maximum dose 100 mg per day

In what dosage is Hydrochlorothiazide available?

Hydrochlorothiazide is available in the following dosages:

Capsules, Oral: 12.5 mg Tablet, Oral: 12.5 mg, 25 mg, 50 mg

Hydrochlorothiazide side effects

What side effects can be experienced due to Hydrochlorothiazide?

Seek medical help right away if you experience an allergic reaction to HCTZ: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of the face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using HCTZ and call your doctor if you experience serious side effects such as:

• Eye pain, visual disturbances
• Dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting
• Feeling tired, drowsy, restless, or dizzy
• Irregular heartbeat
• Muscle pain or weakness
• Numbness or tingling
• There is a reddish rash on the skin, blisters, peeling
• Nausea, stomach pain, fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes)

Less serious side effects of HCTZ include:

• Diarrhea
• Mild stomach pain
• Constipation
• Blurred vision

Not everyone experiences the following side effects. There may be some side effects not listed above. If you have concerns about certain side effects, consult your doctor or pharmacist.

Hydrochlorothiazide Drug Warnings and Cautions

What should be known before using Hydrochlorothiazide?

• Tell your doctor and pharmacist if you have any allergies to hydrochlorothiazide, the sulfonamide antibiotic drug, penicillin, or any other medication.
• Tell your doctor and pharmacist what prescription and nonprescription drugs, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are using or intending to use. Be sure to mention the following drugs: barbiturates such as phenobarbital and secobarbital (Seconal); corticosteroids such as betamethasone (Celestone), budesonide (Entocort), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak, Dexasone, others), fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylprednisolone (Medrol, Meprolone, others) (Prelone, others), prednisone (Deltasone, Meticorten, Sterapred, others), and triamcinolone (Aristocort, Azmacort); corticotropin (ACTH, H.P., Acthar Gel); insulin and other drugs for diabetes; lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid); medications for high blood pressure or pain; nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin, others) and naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others). Your doctor may change your dose or monitor you closely for side effects
• If you are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take it 1 hour before or after taking hydrochlorothiazide.
• Tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor may not recommend that you use hydrochlorothiazide
• Tell your doctor if you have or have had diabetes, asthma, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE, a chronic inflammatory condition), high cholesterol, or liver disease.
• Tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while using hydrochlorothiazide, contact your doctor immediately
• Avoid being exposed to the sun for a long time and wear protective clothing, glasses and sunscreen. Hydrochlorothiazide makes your skin sensitive to sunlight
• You should know that hydrochlorothiazide can cause dizziness and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is common the first time you use hydrochlorothiazide. To avoid this problem, get up slowly from bed, resting your feet on the floor a few minutes before standing up. Alcohol can add to this side effect

Is Hydrochlorothiazide safe for pregnant and lactating women?

There are no adequate studies regarding the risks of using this drug in pregnant or breastfeeding women. Always consult your doctor to weigh the potential benefits and risks before using this medication. This drug is included in the risk of pregnancy category B according to the US Food and Drug Administration (FDA). The following references the pregnancy risk categories according to the FDA:

A = Not at risk

B = not at risk in several studies, C = May be risky, D = There is positive evidence of risk, X = Contraindicated, N = Unknown

Research shows that this drug can change the production or composition of breast milk. If an alternative to this medicine is not given, you should monitor the side effects in the baby and the amount of milk they drink.

Hydrochlorothiazide Drug Interactions

What medicines may interact with Hydrochlorothiazide?

Drug interactions can change the performance of your medications or increase the risk of serious side effects. Not all possible drug interactions are listed in this document. Keep a list of all the products you use (including prescription / non-prescription drugs and herbal products) and consult your doctor or pharmacist. Do not start, stop, or change the dose of any medication without your doctor's approval.

Tell your doctor all medicines you use, especially:

• Lithium (Eskalith, Lithobid)
• 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 (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, Naprelan, Treximet), celecoxib (Celebrex), diclofenac (Arthrotec, Cambia, Cataflam, Voltaren, Flector Patch, Pennsaid, Solareze), indomethacin (Indocin), meloxicam (Mobic), and others or
• Insulin or other oral diabetes medication

Can food or alcohol interact with hydrochlorothiazide?

Certain drugs should not be used with meals or when eating certain foods because drug interactions can occur. Consuming alcohol or tobacco with certain drugs can also cause interactions to occur. Discuss your use of drugs with food, alcohol, or tobacco with your health care provider.

What health conditions may interact with Hydrochlorothiazide?

The presence of other health problems in your body may affect the use of this drug. Tell your doctor if you have other health problems, in particular:

• Anuria (unable to urinate)
• Sulfa allergy drugs (for example, sulfamethoxazole / trimethoprim, Bactrim®, septra®) - should not be used in patients with this condition
• Asthma
• Diabetes
• Electrolyte imbalance (eg hypercalcemia, hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia)
• Uric acid
• Hypercholesterolemia (high cholesterol in the blood)
• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood)
• Hypoglycemia (low sugar levels)
• Liver disease
• Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) —Use with caution. Can make conditions worse
• Kidney disease — Use with caution. The effect can be increased due to the slow passage of the drug from the body

Hydrochlorothiazide overdose

What should I do in an emergency or overdose?

In case of an emergency or overdose, contact the local emergency services provider (112) or immediately to the nearest hospital emergency department.

What should I do if I miss a dose?

If you forget a dose of this medicine, take it as soon as possible. However, when it is nearing the time of the next dose, skip the missed dose and return to the usual dosing schedule. Don't double the dose.