Chlortalidone
About
Chlortalidone belongs to a group of medicines called thiazide-related diuretics (which increase the production of urine) and is primarily used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and oedema (a build-up of fluid in the body). Hypertension or high blood pressure is a chronic condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the artery wall is high. The higher this blood pressure, the harder the heart has to pump. As a result, it leads to heart diseases, irregular heartbeat and other complications. Oedema may occur in case of high blood pressure where fluids of the body get trapped in the tissues of the hands, arms, feet, ankles and legs, leading to its swelling.
Chlortalidone works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney or lung disease. This reduces the workload on the heart and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps to lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke.
You can take Chlortalidone with food or without food. It should be swallowed whole with a glass of water. Do not chew, bite or break it. Your doctor will advise you on how often you take your medicine based on your medical condition. In some cases, you may experience headaches, nausea or dizziness. Most of these side effects of Chlortalidone do not require medical attention and gradually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
Try not to stop taking this medicine on your own as it may cause a rise in blood pressure and can increase the risk of getting heart diseases and stroke. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from any kidney or liver, or heart disease. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Chlortalidone can be prescribed accordingly. Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to this medicine.
Uses of Chlortalidone
Medicinal Benefits
Chlortalidone works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. It effectively reduces excess fluid levels in the body and treats oedema (swelling) associated with heart, liver, kidney or lung disease. This reduces the workload on the heart and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. Thus, it helps lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke. In addition, this relieves oedema and helps you carry out your daily activities more efficiently.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chlortalidone
- Headache
- Dizziness
- Nausea
- Vomiting
- Stomach cramping
- Diarrhoea
- Constipation
- Loss of appetite
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Chlortalidone should not be given to the people allergic to it, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, pregnant women or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Besides this, it is contraindicated in low blood pressure (hypotension), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart) and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Chlortalidone can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is not known. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Chlortalidone and breastfeeding.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Chlortalidone may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (benazepril, metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin, simvastatin, diltiazem, verapamil, benazepril, lisinopril), and can lower your blood pressure leading to severe condition. Besides this, it also interacts with medicine to treat erectile dysfunction (sildenafil), anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine), and painkillers (ibuprofen, aspirin) etc. If you are taking any of the above, speak with your doctor.
Drug-Food Interactions: You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Chlortalidone to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Chlortalidone should not be given to the people with cardiogenic shock (when the heart fails to pump required blood to the body), heart valve problem (stenosis), low blood pressure (hypotension), coronary heart disease, liver disease, or heart failure, low serum potassium (hypokalemia), patients with nil urine output (anuria) etc.
Drug-Drug Interactions Checker List:
Safety Advice
Alcohol
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Chlortalidone to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeChlortalidone should not be taken until prescribed. Chlortalidone is a Category B pregnancy drug which is considered unsafe for pregnant women. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionChlortalidone is excreted into milk in small amounts and is cleared slowly. Thus, it is best to speak to your doctor who will weigh the potential benefits and the risks if any before prescribing Chlortalidone during breastfeeding.
Driving
cautionIt is not recommended to drive after taking Chlortalidone as it may occasionally cause drowsiness or fatigue.
Liver
cautionChlortalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of liver diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Kidney
cautionChlortalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. The dose may have to be adjusted by your doctor.
Children
unsafeChlortalidone is not recommended in children. The safety and efficacy of Chlortalidone in children have not yet been established.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Do regular physical activity or exercise for at least 150 minutes per week, or about 30 minutes most days of the week. Doing this can help you to lower your raised blood pressure by about 5 mm of Hg.
- Opt for a diet rich in whole grains, fruits, veggies and low-fat dairy products.
- Limit intake of sodium chloride (table salt) in your daily diet to 2300 mg per day or less than 1500 mg is ideal for most adults.
- If you are taking alcohol then only one serving for women and two servings for men is advisable.
- Quitting smoking is the best strategy to lower the risk of heart disease.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure. Try to enjoy and spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Monitor your blood pressure daily and if there is too much fluctuation then immediately contact your doctor.
- Try to include heart-healthy omega 3 fatty acids containing food drinks in your daily diet. You can also use low-fat cooking oil like olive oil, soybean oil, canola oil and coconut oil can help in lowering your elevated blood pressure.
Special Advise
- Chlortalidone is generally advised to treat high blood pressure and other heart conditions.
- Chlortalidone should be taken at the same time every day for its maximum effects to be seen and for increased compliance.
- Consumption of Chlortalidone may cause dizziness. Avoid activities like driving while on this medication.
- A sudden drop in blood pressure may be seen while on this medication which might lead to dizziness. Changing your posture at a slower rate might help counter this.
- Chlortalidone may alter your sugar and lipid levels when taken for the long term. Thus, regular monitoring of blood sugar and lipid levels is recommended. Consult your doctor if this or other side effects cause trouble or are persistent.
Patients Concern
Disease/Condition Glossary
Hypertension: It is a chronic condition when blood pressure is too high. This condition can lead to hardened arteries (blood vessels), decreasing the blood and oxygen flow to the heart. Blood pressure is the measurement of the force that our heart uses to pump blood to all parts of the body. Raised blood pressure can cause chest pain (angina) and heart attack (when blood supply to the heart is blocked). Additionally, high blood pressure also causes brain damage (stroke) and kidney failure. High blood pressure can be diagnosed with the help of a blood pressure monitor or sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when your heart is at the resting stage between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mm of Hg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mm of Hg, and diastolic pressure is 90 mm of Hg. Ideal blood pressure is around 120/80 mm of Hg.
FAQs
Yes, Chlortalidone can cause dizziness or light-headedness especially when getting up from bed. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Chlortalidone. In case you feel dizzy or light-headed, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better. If it is troublesome, reach out to your doctor who may consider reducing the dose of Chlortalidone.
Yes, Chlortalidone is contraindicated in people with known allergy to any of the components of this medicine. It should be avoided in people with severe kidney or liver impairment and in people with anuria (reduction or absence of urine). It should also be avoided in women who are in the second and third trimesters of their pregnancy.
No, you are advised to inform your doctor and monitor your blood pressure for at least two weeks before stopping the medicine. Depending upon your current blood pressure readings, there is a possibility your doctor may lower your medicine dosage and not recommend to discontinue it.
In case, you have missed a dose of Chlortalidone, you are advised to take it as soon as you remember. However, try not to miss a dose in the first place, if it's time for you to take your next dose, then do not take both the doses together. Take only one dose, taking a double dose of Chlortalidone will lead to low blood pressure.
Chlortalidone can be safely taken as long as your doctor has prescribed it to you. Conditions such as high blood pressure are life-long conditions and one should not abruptly discontinue it without discussing it with a doctor.
Yes, the occurrence of gout due to Chlortalidone is very rare. However, it can cause an increase in the levels of uric acid.
