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chlorothiazide

Generic
Used for Edema, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Cirrhosis
Used for Edema, Heart Failure, Hypertension, Cirrhosis

Chlorothiazide is an older water pill used to treat high blood pressure or leg swelling. Though it works well, other medications are more often used.

Reviewed by:
reviewer
Christina Aungst, PharmD
reviewer
Jennifer Tran, PharmD
Last reviewed on August 3, 2020
BasicsSide effectsPros & consPharmacist tipsFAQsWarningsDosageInteractionsCostAlternativesPricesMedicare
basics-icon

What is Chlorothiazide?

What is Chlorothiazide used for?

  • High blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Fluid retention (edema)

How Chlorothiazide works

Chlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that makes you urinate more. It works in the kidneys to remove extra water and certain electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) to lower blood pressure and reduce swelling.

Drug Facts

Common BrandsDiuril
Drug ClassDiuretic (water pill)
Controlled Substance ClassificationNot a controlled medication
Generic StatusLower-cost generic available
AvailabilityPrescription only
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What are the side effects of Chlorothiazide?

The following side effects may get better over time as your body gets used to the medication. Let your healthcare provider know immediately if you continue to experience these symptoms or if they worsen over time.

Common Side Effects

  • Dizziness, especially when first starting it
  • Low blood pressure
  • Electrolyte changes
  • Sensitivity to the sun

Other Side Effects

  • High blood sugar
  • Kidney failure
  • Difficulties having sex (like erectile dysfunction)

Source: DailyMed

The following side effects have also been reported

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.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

back, leg, or stomach pains

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin

bloating

blood in urine or stools

bloody urine

blue lips and fingernails

blurred vision

burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings

chest pain

chills

clay-colored stools

cloudy urine

cold sweats

confusion

constipation

cough or hoarseness

coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum

coughing up blood

cracks in the skin

darkened urine

decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability

decreased frequency or amount of urine

diarrhea

difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing

difficulty swallowing

dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly

dry mouth

fast or irregular heartbeat

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general body swelling

general feeling of discomfort or illness

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

greatly decreased frequency of urination or amount of urine

headache

hives

increased blood pressure

increased hunger

increased sweating

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

itching

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

loss of appetite

loss of heat from the body

lower back or side pain

muscle cramps or pain

nausea or vomiting

nosebleeds

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet

pain in joints or muscles

painful or difficult urination

pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back

pale skin

pinpoint red spots on skin

puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue

rash

red, irritated eyes

red skin lesions, often with a purple center

red, swollen skin

redness, soreness, or itching skin

scaly skin

seizures

shortness of breath

sore throat

sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth

sores, welting, or blisters

sugar in the urine

swelling of face, fingers, legs, ankles, feet, or lower legs

swollen or painful glands

tenderness of salivary glands

thickening of bronchial secretions

tightness in chest

trembling

troubled breathing

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight loss

vomiting of blood

weakness and heaviness of legs

weight gain

wheezing

yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

Cramping

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

hair loss, thinning of hair

inability to have or keep an erection

increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

muscle spasm

pinpoint red or purple spots on skin

redness or other discoloration of skin

restlessness

sensation of spinning

severe sunburn

weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

pros-and-cons

Pros and cons of Chlorothiazide

thumbs-up

Pros

Well-tolerated in most people to lower blood pressure

Can be used with other drugs to help minimize swelling

Can increase your calcium levels, which is good for people with osteoporosis

A relatively cheap medication, even without insurance

thumbs-down

Cons

Makes you urinate more frequently — taking it too late in the day may cause you to wake up at night to use the bathroom

Can cause you to have low potassium levels, which may affect your heart

Does not work as well in people with bad kidney function

Can make your blood sugar levels higher

People with sulfa allergy should avoid this drug

pharmacist-tips

Pharmacist tips for Chlorothiazide

pharmacist

  • Chlorothiazide will make you urinate more frequently for a few hours after you take it. Try to take it at least 6 hours before you want to go to bed so that you don't wake up often during the night to use the restroom.

    • Since chlorothiazide lowers your blood pressure, you may feel dizzy in the first few days when you first start taking it. Your body will adjust over time. Getting up slowly from your seat or bed can help with this.

      • While taking chlorothiazide, you may need regular blood tests to make sure your kidneys are healthy and certain electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) are not too low.

        • Chlorothiazide can make you more sensitive to the sun. Wear sunscreen when going outside to prevent sunburn.

          • A very small number of people with a sulfa allergy may also be allergic to chlorothiazide. Let your provider or pharmacist know if you have any drug allergies before taking this medication.

            • If you have diabetes, you may need to monitor your blood glucose more frequently because it can affect your blood sugar.

              faqs

              Frequently asked questions about Chlorothiazide

              Is hydrochlorothiazide the same as chlorothiazide?
              Hydrochlorothiazide and chlorothiazide are not the same, but they are in the same class of medications and work in very similar ways. Both are water pills and can be used for edema (fluid retention) and high blood pressure.
              When should I take chlorothiazide?
              It is best to take chlorothiazide in the morning if you only take it once a day. This is because it causes you to urinate more, so you may wake up in the middle of the night to use the restroom if you take it too late in the day. If you take it twice a day, try to take your second dose at least 6 hours before you plan to go to bed.
              Should you drink lots of water when taking water pills?
              Some people who take water pills, such as chlorothiazide, are told to limit the amount of water they drink per day due to certain conditions they have. Check with your healthcare provider to see if you are supposed to lower the amount of water you are drinking before making any changes to your current daily habits.
              How long does chlorothiazide stay in your system?
              Chlorothiazide will have most of its effects (more urination) within the first 6 hours after taking it, but some people will find it lasts for up to 12 hours.
              How long does it take for chlorothiazide to work?
              Chlorothiazide will start working after about 2 hours, causing you to urinate more. Most people will see a change in their blood pressure or amount of swelling within the first week of starting the medication.
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              What are the risks and warnings for Chlorothiazide?

              Chlorothiazide can cause some serious health issues. This risk may be even higher for certain groups. If this worries you, talk to your doctor or pharmacist about other options.

              risk-warning

              DEHYDRATION AND ELECTROLYTE IMBALANCE

              • Risk factors: Impaired kidney function | Current electrolyte imbalance | Hot weather

                Taking too much chlorothiazide can cause you to urinate a lot, which can lead to dehydration and low levels of sodium, potassium, magnesium, or chloride (electrolytes) if you're not careful. Let your healthcare provider know if you experience dry mouth, weakness, tiredness, dizziness, muscle pain or cramps, increased heart rate, vomiting, or nausea.

                risk-warning

                LOW BLOOD PRESSURE

                • Risk factors: Taking with alcohol | Taking other medications that lower your blood pressure

                  Chlorothiazide lowers your blood pressure. Low blood pressure can make you feel lightheaded or dizzy. If you drink alcohol or take other medications that lower blood pressure, chlorothiazide can cause your blood pressure to drop too low. It is best to avoid alcohol if possible when taking it.

                  risk-warning

                  WORSENING KIDNEY PROBLEMS

                  • Risk factors: History of kidney problems

                    Chlorothiazide can make your kidneys not work as well. It's important to get blood work done to check your kidney health before starting chlorothiazide and at least yearly after.

                    risk-warning

                    HIGHER BLOOD SUGARS

                    • Risk factors: Diabetes

                      Chlorothiazide can raise your blood sugars. If you have diabetes, your provider may have you check your blood sugar more regularly. Your provider will talk about this with you if it's a problem.

                      risk-warning

                      GOUT

                      • Risk factors: History of gout | Current kidney problems

                        Chlorothiazide can raise uric acid levels and cause or worsen gout.

                        risk-warning

                        PARATHYROID DISEASE

                        Your body gets rid of less calcium while taking chlorothiazide, which can affect your parathyroid gland.

                        dosage

                        Chlorothiazide dosage forms

                        The average cost for 30 tablets of 500mg of Chlorothiazide is $41.92 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 1.23% off the average retail price of $42.44.
                        tablet
                        Tablet
                        DosageQuantityPrice as low asPrice per unit
                        250mg30 tablets$21.15$0.70
                        500mg30 tablets$41.92$1.40

                        Typical dosing for Chlorothiazide

                        • High blood pressure: Chlorothiazide is typically started at 500 mg to 1,000 mg by mouth per day for hypertension either as a single dose or split into two doses. It can be increased to 2,000 mg per day split into two doses.

                        • Fluid retention: Typical dosing for chlorothiazide is between 500 mg to 1,000 mg by mouth once or twice daily for edema. Many people only take this a few days of the week instead of every day when using it for fluid retention.

                        interactions

                        Interactions between Chlorothiazide and other drugs

                        Chlorothiazide may interact with certain medications or supplements. Always let your doctor and pharmacist know about any other medications or supplements (including prescribed and over-the-counter medications, vitamins, and dietary or herbal supplements) that you are currently taking. The list below does not include all possible drug interactions with Chlorothiazide. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

                        • Aminolevulinic Acid
                        • Calcium
                        • Ginkgo
                        • Gossypol
                        • Licorice
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                        How much does Chlorothiazide cost?

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                        alternatives

                        What are alternatives to Chlorothiazide?

                        There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Chlorothiazide. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
                        Chlorothiazide
                        Used for:

                        • High blood pressure (hypertension)

                        • Fluid retention (edema)

                        $21.15 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices
                        Hydrochlorothiazide
                        Used for:

                        • High blood pressure

                        • Swelling in the body from fluids (edema), in addition to other medications

                        $3.00 Lowest GoodRx priceView Prices

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