How to Choose the Best Blood Pressure Medication for You
Certain blood pressure medications are better suited to you than others, depending on your age, race, and blood pressure reading. Learn more here.
chlorthalidone
Used for Cirrhosis, Edema, Heart Failure, Hypertension
Used for Cirrhosis, Edema, Heart Failure, Hypertension
Chlorthalidone is used to treat high blood pressure in adults. It can be taken alone or with other blood pressure medications. It's also used with other medications to help reduce swelling caused by certain conditions, like heart failure or kidney problems. Chlorthalidone belongs to a drug class called diuretics (water pills). It comes as a tablet that you take by mouth once a day. Common side effects are needing to urinate more, dizziness, and headache.
What is Chlorthalidone?
What is Chlorthalidone used for?
- High blood pressure
- Swelling from fluid buildup (edema) caused by certain conditions (e.g., heart failure, kidney problems) or medications
How Chlorthalidone works
Chlorthalidone is a type of diuretic (water pill) called a thiazide-like diuretic. It works in the kidneys to remove extra water and certain electrolytes from your body. It moves these substances into your urine, which you then urinate out. This helps lower your blood pressure and get rid of swelling in the body.
When does Chlorthalidone start working?Time passed since treatment started:
Drug facts
| Common Brands | Hygroton |
|---|---|
| Drug Class | Diuretic (water pill) |
| Controlled Substance Classification | Not a controlled medication |
| Generic Status | Lower-cost generic available |
| Availability | Prescription only |
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Side effects of Chlorthalidone
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
- Urinating more
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Vertigo (feeling like everything around you is spinning)
Less Common Side Effects
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Diarrhea
- Constipation
- Stomach cramps
- Muscle spasm
- Weakness
- Restlessness
- Skin that's sensitive to the sun
- Rash
Chlorthalidone serious side effects
Contact your healthcare provider immediately if you experience any of the following.
- Allergic reaction: trouble breathing; swelling of the mouth, tongue, or throat; rash; hives
- Abnormal electrolyte levels: very thirsty, tired, weak, confused, muscle cramps or pain, muscle twitching, nausea, vomiting, fast heartbeat
- Kidney problems: not urinating as often as usual, feeling tired, itchiness, confusion
When do Chlorthalidone possible side effects begin and end?
Time passed since treatment started:
H
D
W
M
Urinating more
Dizziness
Headache
If a line continues to the right, you'll likely keep experiencing this side effect once it starts.
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The following Chlorthalidone 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
black, tarry stools
bleeding gums
blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin
blood in the urine or stools
blurred vision
burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
chills
clay-colored stools
cold sweats
confusion
cough or hoarseness
coughing up blood
darkened urine
difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up suddenly from a lying or sitting position
fast heartbeat
flushed, dry skin
fruit-like breath odor
general feeling of tiredness or weakness
headache
increased hunger
increased thirst
increased urination
indigestion
itching or skin rash
joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
loss of appetite
lower back or side pain
pain in the joints or muscles
painful or difficult urination
pains in the stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
pinpoint red spots on the skin
red, irritated eyes
red skin lesions, often with a purple center
redness, soreness or itching skin
sores, ulcers, or white spots on the lips or in the mouth
sores, welting, or blisters
sugar in the urine
sweating
swelling of the feet or lower legs
swollen glands
tightness in the chest
troubled breathing
unpleasant breath odor
unusual bleeding or bruising
unusual tiredness or weakness
unusual weight loss
vomiting
vomiting of blood
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
feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
inability to have or keep an erection
increased sensitivity of the skin to sunlight
loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
redness or other discoloration of the 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.
Get your GoodRx coupon
$9.000
GoodRx discount
$9.00
Pros and cons of Chlorthalidone
Pros
- Works well for high blood pressure, edema, or both
- Works especially well for Black people
- Works for a longer time than other thiazide diuretics
Cons
- Makes you urinate more often
- Might be more likely to cause low electrolyte levels
- Not a good option if you have a sulfa allergy
Pharmacist tips for Chlorthalidone
- Take chlorthalidone in the morning with a meal. This medication makes you urinate more, so be sure there's a bathroom nearby so it's easy to get to when you need to go. If you take it later in the evening, it might interrupt your sleep since you might have to wake up to use the bathroom.
- Chlorthalidone can make you dizzy. This is more common in the first few days after starting or after your dose gets raised. Stand up slowly and hold onto something sturdy to prevent too much dizziness and falling. Tell your care team if the dizziness bothers you or doesn't go away.
- Talk to your care team about how much alcohol you drink and how to take chlorthalidone safely. This medication can make you feel dizzy, and alcohol can make this side effect worse.
- If you're taking chlorthalidone to help with blood pressure, your care team might ask you to check your blood pressure at home. Write down your numbers and share them with your prescriber. This helps them see how well the medication is working and if you need any changes to your treatment plan.
- Be sure to keep all your lab appointments. Chlorthalidone can change your electrolyte levels. Blood tests help check for any abnormal changes. This helps your care team make sure the medication is still safe for you to take.
- Your skin might get more sensitive to the sun while taking chlorthalidone. This means it might be easier for you to get a sunburn. Don't forget to use sunscreen and wear protective clothing when you're outside even if it's cloudy or wintertime.
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Risks and warnings for Chlorthalidone
Chlorthalidone 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.
Abnormal electrolyte levels
- Risk factors: Dehydration | Vomiting a lot | Kidney problems | Severe liver problems | Taking other medications that can affect electrolyte levels, like steroids
Chlorthalidone works in your kidneys to help your body get rid of extra water and electrolytes. This can change the levels of electrolytes in your body.
Chlorthalidone can cause low sodium, potassium, magnesium, or chloride levels. It might also cause high calcium levels. Your risk might be higher if you have kidney problems. It could also be higher if you take other medications that can affect electrolyte levels.
You might need regular blood tests while taking chlorthalidone to check your electrolyte levels. If your levels are abnormal, your care team can help manage this problem.
Let your care team know if you feel very thirsty, tired, weak, or confused. Also tell them if you have muscle cramps, muscle twitching, nausea, vomiting, or a fast heartbeat. These can be signs of electrolyte problems, and you might need a blood test to check.
Higher blood sugar
- Risk factors: Diabetes
It's possible for chlorthalidone to raise your blood sugar levels. Know the symptoms of higher blood sugar. This can include dry mouth, thirst, more urination, and headache. If you notice these symptoms while taking chlorthalidone, let your care team know.
If you have diabetes, tell your prescriber. They might want you to check your blood sugar more often while taking this medication. Let your diabetes care team know if your blood sugar stays higher than usual. They might need to adjust your diabetes treatment plan to control your blood sugar better.
Risk of gout
- Risk factors: History of gout
Chlorthalidone can raise the uric acid levels in your body. This can cause or worsen gout in certain people. Tell your prescriber if you have a history of gout. Let your care team know if your joints swell, get red, or hurt while taking chlorthalidone. These can be signs of a gout attack.
Caution use in people with kidney problems
- Risk factors: Severe kidney problems
Let your prescriber know if you have severe kidney problems. In people with kidney problems, chlorthalidone can cause certain waste products to build up in the body. Tell your care team right away if you have symptoms like trouble making urine, swelling in your legs, weakness, or confusion.
Caution use in people with liver problems
Tell your prescriber if you have a history of liver problems. Chlorthalidone should be used with caution in people with liver problems. This medication can cause changes to your fluid and electrolyte levels. Even small changes to these levels can possibly raise the risk of hepatic coma, which is serious.
Chlorthalidone dosage
The average cost for 30 tablets of 25mg of Chlorthalidone is $9.00 with a free GoodRx coupon. This is 0.00% off the average retail price of $9.00.
Typical dosage for Chlorthalidone
Generic chlorthalidone tablets
- High blood pressure: The typical starting dose is 25 mg by mouth once daily. If needed, your prescriber will adjust your dose. The maximum dose is 100 mg once daily.
- Swelling from fluid buildup: The typical starting dose is 50 mg to 100 mg by mouth once daily. Another option is 100 mg by mouth every other day. If needed, your prescriber will adjust your dose. The maximum dose is 200 mg once daily.
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Interactions between Chlorthalidone and other drugs
Chlorthalidone 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 Chlorthalidone. Please note that only the generic name of each medication is listed below.
More on Chlorthalidone interactions
Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking this medicine, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.
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.
- Aceclofenac
- Acemetacin
- Acetyldigoxin
- Amtolmetin Guacil
- Arsenic Trioxide
- Aspirin
- Bepridil
- Bromfenac
- Bufexamac
- Celecoxib
- Choline Salicylate
- Clonixin
- Deslanoside
- Desmopressin
- Dexibuprofen
- Dexketoprofen
- Diclofenac
- Diflunisal
- Digitalis
- Digitoxin
- Digoxin
- Dipyrone
- Dofetilide
- Droperidol
- Droxicam
- Etodolac
- Etofenamate
- Etoricoxib
- Felbinac
- Fenoprofen
- Fepradinol
- Feprazone
- Flecainide
- Floctafenine
- Flufenamic Acid
- Flurbiprofen
- Ibuprofen
- Indomethacin
- Ketanserin
- Ketoprofen
- Ketorolac
- Levomethadyl
- Lithium
- Lornoxicam
- Loxoprofen
- Lumiracoxib
- Meclofenamate
- Mefenamic Acid
- Meloxicam
- Metildigoxin
- Morniflumate
- Nabumetone
- Naproxen
- Nepafenac
- Niflumic Acid
- Nimesulide
- Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
- Oxaprozin
- Oxyphenbutazone
- Parecoxib
- Phenylbutazone
- Piketoprofen
- Piroxicam
- Proglumetacin
- Propyphenazone
- Proquazone
- Rofecoxib
- Salicylic Acid
- Salsalate
- Sodium Salicylate
- Sotalol
- Sulindac
- Tenoxicam
- Tiaprofenic Acid
- Tolfenamic Acid
- Tolmetin
- Valdecoxib
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
- Gossypol
- Licorice
- Warfarin
How much does Chlorthalidone cost?
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Chlorthalidone (generic)
$9.00
Chlorthalidone contraindications
Contraindications are specific health conditions or situations in which a person should not take a medication due to safety concerns. If you have any of the following conditions or if any of the following apply to you, let your healthcare provider know because Chlorthalidone will not be safe for you to take.
- Not making urine (not urinating)
- Allergy to "sulfa drugs"
What are alternatives to Chlorthalidone?
There are a number of medications that your doctor can prescribe in place of Chlorthalidone. Compare a few possible alternatives below.
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Chlorthalidone images
