Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic (water pill) medicine used to treat hypertension (high blood pressure). This medicine reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats edema (fluid overload) associated with heart, liver, kidney, or lung disease.

Hydrochlorothiazide makes you lose excess water through urine. It may be used alone or in combination with other medicines. This medicine should be taken only during day time to avoid frequent urination at night. You must take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by the doctor and never stop it abruptly without consulting the doctor. Most people with high blood pressure do not feel ill, but if you stop taking this medicine, your condition could get worse. This may lead to your blood pressure rising up again and increase your risk of heart disease and stroke.

It is important to have your blood pressure checked regularly. This medicine is only one part of a treatment program which should also include a healthy diet, regular exercise, smoking cessation, moderation of alcohol intake and weight reduction. You can eat normally while taking this medicine, but try to reduce your salt intake.

Common side effects of this medicine include headache, nausea, dizziness, and weakness. Consult your doctor if these side effects bother you. Before taking this medicine, its better to let your doctor know if you are suffering from any kidney or liver disease. Also, pregnant women and breastfeeding mothers should consult doctor before taking it. You must inform doctor about all the other medicines that you are taking apart from this medicine. Regular monitoring of kidney function and electrolytes is important while using this medicine.

• Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
• Treatment of Edema

Treatment of Hypertension (high blood pressure)
Hydrochlorothiazide is known as a water pill, which increases urine output thereby lowering blood pressure. If your blood pressure is controlled, you are less at risk of having a heart attack, stroke or kidney problems. The medicine must be taken regularly as prescribed to be effective. You do not usually feel any direct benefit from taking this medicine, but it works in the long term to keep you well.

Treatment of Edema
Edema is caused by your body retaining too much water. Hydrochlorothiazide helps get rid of the extra water and electrolytes from your body by increasing the amount of urine produced. This enables your body to get rid of extra water thereby relieving symptoms such as shortness of breath and swelling in your arms, legs or abdomen. Therefore, you can carry out your daily activities more comfortably. Take Hydrochlorothiazide regularly and make appropriate lifestyle changes to get maximum benefits.

Most side effects do not require any medical attention and disappear as your body adjusts to the medicine. Consult your doctor if they persist or if you’re worried about them

Common side effects of DavaIndia

• Headache
• Nausea
• Altered blood lipid level
• Weakness
• Dizziness

Take this medicine in the dose and duration as advised by your doctor. Swallow it as a whole. Do not chew, crush or break it. Hydrochlorothiazide is to be taken with food.

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic which lowers blood pressure by removing extra water and certain electrolytes from the body. Over time it also relaxes blood vessels and improves blood flow.

• Hydrochlorothiazide helps lower blood pressure and also removes excess water from your body.

• Take it in the morning with breakfast to avoid getting up at night to urinate.

• It makes you feel dizzy. Avoid driving and attention requiring activity until you know how it affects you.

• Avoid alcohol intake while taking Hydrochlorothiazide as it may increase the dizziness.

• It may cause a sudden drop of sodium level in blood. Avoid low sodium diet while you are taking this medication.

• Monitor your blood pressure after starting Hydrochlorothiazide, and notify your doctor if it does not lower down.

• Notify your doctor if you experience dizziness, tiredness, or muscle weakness that does not go away.

• Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, planning pregnancy or breastfeeding.

Opie LH, Victor RG, Kaplan NM. Diuretics. In: Opie LH, Gersh BJ, editors. Drugs for the Heart. 8th ed. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania: Elsevier Saunders; 2013. pp. 99, 101-102.

Hydrochlorothiazide. Morgantown, West Virginia: Mylan Pharmaceuticals Inc.; 2011. [Accessed 18 Mar. 2019] (online) Available from:

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