What brand names are available for chlorthalidone?
Hygroton, Thalitone (both discontinued in U.S.A.)
Is chlorthalidone available as a generic drug?
GENERIC AVAILABLE: Yes
Do I need a prescription for chlorthalidone?
Yes
What are the uses for chlorthalidone?
Chlorthalidone is used in the treatment of high blood
pressure, congestive heart failure, and edema (fluid retention).
What are the side effects of chlorthalidone?
Chlorthalidone generally is well tolerated.
Side effects include:
More serious side effects include:
- Low blood
levels of potassium, sodium, and magnesium due to increased excretion via urine. - High blood calcium levels also can occur, especially in persons who are taking
calcium supplements. - Thiazide diuretics such as chlorthalidone increase the
levels of uric acid in the blood, but gout (which is caused by high levels of
uric acid) rarely occurs. - Chlorthalidone can cause high blood sugars in patients
with diabetes.
What is the dosage for chlorthalidone?
The optimal dose of chlorthalidone varies greatly from patient
to patient.
For high blood pressure the recommended dose range is 25 to 100 mg
daily. Most patients receive 12.5 to 25 mg daily.
Edema is treated with 50 to
100 mg daily or 100 mg every other day and the maximum dose is 200 mg daily.
Heart failure is treated with 12.5 to 100 mg daily.
Which drugs or supplements interact with chlorthalidone?
Chlorthalidone can lower blood potassium and
magnesium levels because both potassium and magnesium are lost in the urine.
This is especially true in patients who are also taking another class of
diuretics, called loop diuretics which includes furosemide (Lasix), bumetanide (Bumex),
and torsemide (Demadex). Low potassium and magnesium levels can lead to
abnormal
heart rhythms, especially in patients taking digoxin (Lanoxin).
Chlorthalidone
reduces the kidney's ability to eliminate lithium
(Eskalith, Lithobid) in the urine. As a result,
patients taking chlorthalidone at the same time as drugs containing lithium may
develop high levels of lithium and lithium toxicity.
Nonsteroidal
anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen (Motrin), naproxen (Naprosyn),
and nabumetone (Relafen) can reduce the effectiveness of chlorthalidone though
the reason for this is not clear. Blood sugar levels can be elevated by thiazide
diuretics. Patients with diabetes may need to adjust the doses of of medications
they are taking for treating diabetes.
QUESTION
Salt and sodium are the same.
See Answer
Is chlorthalidone safe to take if I’m pregnant or breastfeeding?
Thiazide diuretics including chlorthalidone cross the
placenta and can cause jaundice in the fetus or newborn. Therefore,
chlorthalidone should not be used
during pregnancy unless absolutely necessary.
Large doses of thiazide diuretics may suppress milk
production, but the American Academy of Pediatrics considers thiazides to be
compatible with breastfeeding.
What else should I know about chlorthalidone?
What preparations of chlorthalidone are available?
Tablets: 15, 25, 50, and 100 mg.
How should I keep chlorthalidone stored?
Tablets should be stored at room temperature, 15 C – 30 C (59 F – 86
F).