Chlorthalidone
About
Chlorthalidone belongs to a group of medicines known as diuretics (water pills which increase urine production) 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 lifelong or chronic condition in which the force exerted by the blood against the blood vessel (arteries wall) increases. 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 swelling.
Chlorthalidone contains Chlorthalidone, and it works by increasing the amount of urine 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, in turn, reduces the workload on the heart and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. So, it helps to lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke.
In some cases, you may experience headaches, nausea, or dizziness. Most of these side effects of Chlorthalidone 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 of your own. Tell your doctor about this, as it may cause a rise in blood pressure and can increase the risk of getting heart complications like stroke and heart diseases. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from kidney, liver, or heart disease or are diabetic. If you are pregnant or breastfeeding, please tell your doctor so that the dosage of Chlorthalidone can be prescribed accordingly. Taking Chlorthalidone during pregnancy may cause side effects like jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), unexplained bleeding, low blood sugar, or an electrolyte imbalance in the newborn baby. Do not use Chlorthalidone if you are unable to urinate, have low blood pressure (hypotension), gout (excess uric acid), high cholesterol (hyperlipidaemia), cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart). Please tell your doctor if you are taking any other medicines or are allergic to this medicine. Reducing the amount of table salt (sodium chloride) in your food often relieves the swelling of the body.
Uses of Chlorthalidone
Medicinal Benefits
When you take Chlorthalidone, the blood vessels in your body will be relaxed, which will help lower the raised blood pressure. Also, it widens the blood vessels (lining of arteries wall) and helps to improve the blood flow. It helps in losing out excess fluids from the body by increasing the production of urine. 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. Chlorthalidone also helps decrease fluid buildup, which reduces inflammation or swelling. In addition, this relieves oedema and helps you carry out your daily activities more efficiently.
Directions for Use
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorthalidone
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Hyperglycemia
- Hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid in the blood)
- Muscle spasm
- Nausea
- Extreme tiredness
In-Depth Precautions and Warning
Drug Warnings
Chlorthalidone should not be given to the people allergic to Chlorthalidone, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), have had a heart attack, kidney disease, liver disease, gout (high uric acid), high cholesterol (hyperlipidemia), pregnant women, or planning to get pregnant and breastfeeding women. Besides this, it is contraindicated in people with cardiogenic shock (sudden stopping of blood flow to the heart), and aortic stenosis (heart valve problem). Chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk, but its effect on the baby is unknown. So, it is better to tell your doctor if you are taking Chlorthalidone and breastfeeding. Tell your doctor if you are on low sodium (table salt) diet. Cases of electrolyte imbalance have been observed (like low levels of sodium, potassium, or magnesium in your blood). So your doctor might advise monitoring blood pressure, kidney function test, and electrolytes.
Drug Interactions
Drug-Drug Interactions: Chlorthalidone may interact with other high blood pressure-lowering pills (metoprolol, ramipril, hydrochlorothiazide, atorvastatin), 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 Chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side effects.
Drug-Disease Interactions: Chlorthalidone 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
cautionYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
cautionChlorthalidone is classified as FDA pregnancy risk category B. So, Chlorthalidone should not be used during pregnancy unless clearly necessary. Prolonged intake of Chlorthalidone during pregnancy may cause jaundice (yellowing of skin and eye), unexplained bruising, low blood sugar and electrolyte imbalance in the neonates (newborn baby). Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Breast Feeding
cautionChlorthalidone should not be used when breastfeeding unless clearly necessary. Your doctor will weigh the benefits and any potential risks before prescribing it to you. Please consult your doctor.
Driving
cautionDriving after taking Chlorthalidone is not recommended as it may occasionally cause drowsiness.
Liver
cautionChlorthalidone 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
cautionChlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you have a history of kidney diseases/conditions. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your current kidney conditions.
Children
cautionChlorthalidone to be taken with caution, especially if you are children below the age of 12. Your doctor may adjust your dose depending upon your age.
Habit Forming
Diet & Lifestyle Advise
- Consume antioxidant-rich food. Blueberries, cherries, tomatoes, squash, and bell peppers are high in antioxidants.
- Eat natural diuretic foods. Asparagus, beets, green beans, grapes, onion, leafy greens, pineapple, leeks, pumpkin, and garlic are all-natural diuretic foods.
- Use healthy cooking oils like soybean, olive, canola, and coconut oil.
- You should avoid refined foods such as white bread, spaghetti, sugar, and red meat.
- Reduce or eliminate Trans fatty acids, which are found in commercially baked items such as cookies, cakes, crackers, French fries, onion rings, doughnuts, and processed foods.
- Avoid consumption of too much salt or salty food.
- Keep your weight under control with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Regular physical activity or exercise like walking improves your blood flow.
- When possible, elevate your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillows.
- Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods of time.
- Avoid chronic stress as it can raise your blood pressure.
- Spend time with your loved ones to cope with stress and practice mindfulness techniques.
- Quitting smoking and alcohol consumption is the best strategy to lower the risk of many health complications.
Special Advise
If you have taken high doses drink more water and Consult your doctor immediately.
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 our heart uses to pump blood to all body parts. 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 should be between 90/60 mm of Hg and 120/80 mm of Hg.
Oedema: Also known as 'dropsy' or 'hydropsy', is a condition of fluid retention in the body characterized by swelling of the body's tissue, including ankles, feet and legs. It is usually caused by standing or sitting in the same position for too long, eating too much salty food, and being overweight. Oedema mainly affects the lymphatic system (including the circulatory and immune system) and organs like the tonsils, spleen, and thymus that maintain fluid balance and fight infections.
FAQs
Chlorthalidone contains Chlorthalidone, and it works by increasing the amount of urine 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, in turn, reduces the workload on the heart and makes the heart more efficient at pumping blood throughout the body. So, it helps to lower high blood pressure, reducing the chances of heart attack or stroke.
Yes, Chlorthalidone can cause dizziness. It is advised to avoid driving or operate any heavy machinery while taking Chlorthalidone. In case you feel dizzy or lightheaded, it is advised to rest for some time until you feel better.
Taking Chlorthalidone may cause dehydration. So, to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if you feel extremely thirsty.
It's unlikely that Chlorthalidone affects fertility in men or women. However, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. There's not enough evidence to say for certain. For the best advice, consult your doctor.
Chlorthalidone 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.
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 discontinuing it.
