What is the most important information I should know about hydrochlorothiazide?
You should not use this medicine if you are unable to urinate.
What is hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).
Hydrochlorothiazide may also be used for purposes not listed in this medication guide.
What should I discuss with my healthcare provider before taking hydrochlorothiazide?
You should not use hydrochlorothiazide if you are allergic to it, or if you are unable to urinate.
Tell your doctor if you have ever had:
- kidney disease;
- liver disease;
- gout;
- glaucoma;
- low levels of potassium or sodium in your blood;
- high levels of calcium in your blood;
- a parathyroid gland disorder;
- diabetes; or
- an allergy to sulfa drugs or penicillin.
Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. If you take this medicine during pregnancy, your newborn baby may develop jaundice or other problems.
You should not breastfeed while using this medicine.
Hydrochlorothiazide is not approved for use by anyone younger than 18 years old.
How should I take hydrochlorothiazide?
Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.
Call your doctor if you have ongoing vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking this medicine, which can lead to severely low blood pressure or a serious electrolyte imbalance.
Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your blood and urine may be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine. You may need to stop for a short time.
Keep using this medicine as directed, even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.
Store at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and freezing. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.
What happens if I miss a dose?
Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.
What happens if I overdose?
Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.
Overdose symptoms may include nausea, dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, and muscle pain or weakness.
What should I avoid while taking hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide may increase your risk of skin cancer. Avoid sunlight or tanning beds. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen (SPF 30 or higher) when you are outdoors. Your doctor may want you to have skin examinations on a regular basis.
Drinking alcohol with this medicine can cause side effects.
Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.
Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. Follow your doctor's instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.
What are the possible side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?
Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction (hives, difficult breathing, swelling in your face or throat) or a severe skin reaction (fever, sore throat, burning eyes, skin pain, red or purple skin rash with blistering and peeling).
Call your doctor at once if you have:
- a light-headed feeling;
- eye pain, vision problems;
- jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes);
- pale skin, easy bruising, unusual bleeding (nose, mouth, vagina, or rectum);
- shortness of breath, wheezing, cough with foamy mucus, chest pain;
- dehydration symptoms --feeling very thirsty or hot, being unable to urinate, heavy sweating, or hot and dry skin; or
- signs of an electrolyte imbalance --increased thirst or urination, confusion, vomiting, constipation, muscle pain, leg cramps, bone pain, lack of energy, irregular heartbeats, tingly feeling.
Common side effects may include:
- weakness;
- feeling like you might pass out;
- severe pain in your upper stomach spreading to your back, nausea and vomiting;
- fever, chills, tiredness, mouth sores, skin sores, easy bruising, unusual bleeding, pale skin, cold hands and feet, feeling light-headed or short of breath; or
- electrolyte imbalance.
This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.
What other drugs will affect hydrochlorothiazide?
Taking this medicine with other drugs that make you light-headed can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.
Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:
- cholestyramine, colestipol;
- insulin or oral diabetes medicine;
- lithium;
- other blood pressure medications;
- steroid medicine; or
- NSAIDs (nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) --aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), naproxen (Aleve), celecoxib, diclofenac, indomethacin, meloxicam, and others.
This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect hydrochlorothiazide, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.
Where can I get more information?
Your pharmacist can provide more information about hydrochlorothiazide.
