Drug name: Hypothiazid

Other names used:

• Aldactazide®
• Aldoril®
• Apo-Hydro®
• Capozide®
• Dichlotride®
• Dyazide®
• HydroDIURIL®
• HydroSaluric®
• Inderide®
• Lopressor HCT®
• Maxzide®
• Microzide®
• Moduretic®
• Oretic®
• Timolide®
• Vaseretic®

Active Ingredients:

• Hydrochlorothiazide

Therapeutic effect of Hypothiazid: Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of medicines known as diuretic or water pill. This category of drugs promotes the formation of urine in the kidney. Hydrochlorothiazide's mode of action is to induce the kidney to remove large amounts of salt and water from the blood. This excess water and salt is then removed from the body by way of urination. Hydrochlorothiazide by removing excess water and salt from the blood reduces the volume of blood in the body. This action consequently lowers the blood pressure and fluid retention.

Indications: Hydrochlorothiazide is used to:

• Control hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Treat fluid retention caused due to renal failure, cirrhosis, heart failure and use of certain medicines

Precautions and Restrictions: Do not use Hydrochlorothiazide tablets if:

• You are allergic to Hydrochlorothiazide or any of its ingredients or similar substances
• You are allergic to sulfa drugs which may include certain diuretics, drugs used for treating diabetes and antibiotics
• Non-passage of urine (anuria)

If you have the below mentioned conditions then talk to a doctor before using Hydrochlorothiazide tablets:

• Liver disorders
• Kidney disorders
• Diabetes
• Long-term autoimmune disorder called Systemic lupus erythematosus
• Family history or personal history of swelling under the skin (angioedema)
• Inflammation of joints due to uric acid increase in blood (Gout)
• Inflammation of the pancreas (Pancreatitis)
• Hypercholesterolemia
• Allergic reaction to hydrochlorothiazide, dyes, foods, sulfa drugs or angiotensin-converting-enzyme inhibitor
• Asthma
• Disorders of fluid and electrolyte
• Parathyroid diseases
• Underwent a surgery called sympathectomy

Also talk to the doctor if you are:

• Pregnant
• Breast feeding mother. Hydrochlorothiazide may pass into mother's milk hence consult a doctor to know whether it is safe to use this medicine or not.

Important

Use of Hydrochlorothiazide may have some effect on the electrolytes in the blood so your doctor will constantly monitor you. If you experience the following symptoms then contact a doctor at once because you may be having electrolyte imbalance. The symptoms of electrolyte imbalance are pain in the muscles, irregular heartbeat, fatigue, vomiting, nausea, dry mouth and increased thirst.

Do not change the dosage all of a sudden as it may cause low blood pressure. People who are undergoing dialysis or suffer from heart failure, who have diarrhea or vomiting, or those who sweat a lot are more at risk of having low blood pressure due to dosage change. So drink a lot of water while using this medicine. If you experience the following symptoms then stop using hydrochlorothiazide at once and contact a doctor: syncope, lightheadedness and fainting.

Side effects of hydrochlorothiazide: There are certain side effects that may affect some people. These side effects will not be experienced by all the patients who are taking the drug.

This medicine is a diuretic hence you will urinate often. Excessive urination will stop after about two weeks.

Talk to a doctor if the below mentioned symptoms are severe or do not go away:

• Hair loss
• Cephalalgia
• Appetite loss
• Diarrhea
• Vomiting
• Dyspepsia
• Abdominal pain
• Thirst
• Cramps
• Lightheadedness
• Decrease in the strength of the muscles

If you experience any of the following reactions then visit a doctor at once:

• Fever coupled with sore throat
• Unexplained bruising and bleeding
• Severe rashes with peeling of the skin
• Shortness of breath and Dysphagia

The above mentioned list of side effects is by no means exhaustive, so for the complete list of adverse reactions and possible side effects please see the information provided by the drug manufacturer or consult a doctor or a pharmacist.

Interactions: Prior to using hydrochlorothiazide tablets it is best to consult a doctor and apprise him of the treatment or medication you are currently taking and also get a prescription from your doctor before starting any new drug to make sure that the combination of the two drugs is safe. Be cautious while using the following medicines:

• NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) such as ketorolac (Toradol), meloxicam (Mobic), nabumetone (Relafen), indomethacin (Indocin), ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil) etc.
• Lithium preparations such as Lithobid and Eskalith
• Drugs that relax muscles like tubocurarine
• Corticotropin such as Acthar
• Norepinephrine
• Corticosteroids such as dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexone), hydrocortisone (Cortef) etc.
• Colestipol like Colestid
• Bile acid sequestrant like Cholestyramine
• Narcotics such as hydrocodone, oxycodone, morphine, codeine etc.
• Depressant drugs (Barbiturates) such as Phenobarbital (Luminal), Butabarbital (Butisol Sodium), Amobarbital (Amytal) etc.
• Alcohol
• Other medicines used to control blood pressure
• Oral medicines used to treat diabetes
• Insulin

Additional Information: Drugs and medical equipments should not be used without prior approval of a trained physician and don't share these drugs with anybody else. Hydrochlorothiazide tablets are made for specific conditions and it's not advisable to use them for other purposes. Keep medicinal drugs out of the reach of children.