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Compare Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, warnings, and more.

Key takeaways

Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) and prazosin (Minipress) are both medications used to lower high blood pressure, but they work in different ways and belong to different drug classes. Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic, also known as a water pill, that helps you urinate more to remove extra fluid and certain electrolytes from your body. This helps lower blood pressure and reduce swelling. Prazosin, on the other hand, is an alpha blocker that relaxes your blood vessels to help blood flow more easily. Hydrochlorothiazide is typically taken once daily, while prazosin is usually taken 2 to 3 times a day. Common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide include dizziness and frequent urination, whereas prazosin can cause dizziness, headache, and drowsiness. Hydrochlorothiazide is often a first-choice treatment for high blood pressure, while prazosin is not usually the first option due to its side effects. Both medications are available in lower-cost generic forms.

  • Hydrochlorothiazide
    Prazosin (Minipress)
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
    Prazosin (Minipress)

  • Summary of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

    Summary for Diuretic (water pill)
    Prescription only

    Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that helps to lower blood pressure and ease swelling from fluid (edema) caused by many health conditions, such as heart failure and kidney problems. Typically, you take hydrochlorothiazide by mouth once (sometimes twice) daily. Some common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide include dizziness and urinating more often.

    Summary for Alpha blocker
    Prescription only

    Prazosin (Minipress) is an alpha blocker that's used to lower high blood pressure. It works by relaxing your blood vessels, so blood flows through more easily. Prazosin (Minipress) is taken by mouth, typically 2 to 3 times a day. But it isn't a first-choice medication to lower blood pressure because it can cause bothersome side effects like dizziness, headache, and sleepiness.

  • Indications of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

    Indications for
    •High blood pressure
    •Swelling in the body from fluids (edema), in addition to other medications
    Indications for
    •High blood pressure (hypertension)

  • Pros and Cons of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

    Pros and Const for Diuretic (water pill)
    Pros
    •Does a good job getting rid of extra fluids in your body
    •A first choice treatment option if you have high blood pressure and heart failure
    •Provider can adjust dose based on your response
    •Might protect against osteoporosis over time since it raises the body's level of calcium
    Cons
    •Makes you urinate more often
    •Must be used with caution in people with severe kidney or liver problems
    •Raises risk of gout attacks in people with poor kidney function or a history of gout
    •Can cause electrolytes and fluid levels to be out of balance, which can be dangerous
    Pros and Const for Alpha blocker
    Pros
    •Taken by mouth
    •Can be taken with or without food
    •Available as a lower-cost generic medication
    Cons
    •Not a first-choice option for lowering blood pressure
    •Older adults are at higher risk for side effects, like dizziness or drowsiness
    •Taken multiple times a day

  • Common Side Effects of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness
    •Weakness
    •Skin more sensitive to sunlight
    •Temporary blurred vision
    •Headache
    •Low blood pressure
    •Electrolytes out of balance
    •Difficulty getting or maintaining an erection
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dizziness (10%)
    •Headache (8%)
    •Drowsiness (8%)
    •Lack of energy (7%)
    •Weakness (7%)
    •Pounding heart (5%)
    •Nausea (5%)

  • Warnings of Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

    Common Side Effects for
    •Vision problems
    •Fluid and electrolyte imbalance
    •Waste build up in body
    •Higher blood sugars
    •Gout
    •Allergic reaction
    Common Side Effects for
    •Dangerously low blood pressure and risk of fainting
    •Painful erection (priapism)
    •Eye problems during surgery

  • Prices with our coupons for Hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin

    Learn more about Hydrochlorothiazide
    Learn more about Prazosin

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