Hydrochlorothiazide

Before using Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if you have liver disease, kidney disease, eye problem (glaucoma), asthma, increased uric acid level (gout), diabetes, or allergic to antibiotics (like sulpha drugs or penicillin). Hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to the people allergic to Hydrochlorothiazide, have low blood pressure (less than 90 mm of Hg), or have had a heart attack, kidney disease, or liver disease. 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). Inform your doctor if you are pregnant, suspect you are pregnant, plan to have a baby or if you are breastfeeding; your doctor will prescribe Hydrochlorothiazide only if the benefits outweigh the risk. Before taking the Hydrochlorothiazide, inform your doctor about your medical history and ongoing therapies to rule out any potential adverse effects or interactions.

Drug-Drug Interactions: Hydrochlorothiazide may interact with other Other diuretics, blood pressure-lowering drugs (metoprolol, ramipril, atorvastatin), and can lower your blood pressure leading to severe condition. Besides this, it also interacts with anti-epilepsy medicines (carbamazepine, phenobarbital), anti-depression medicines (lithium), immune-suppressing drugs (cyclosporine), anti-diabetic drugs (metformin), 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 Hydrochlorothiazide to avoid unpleasant side effects.

Drug-Disease Interactions: Hydrochlorothiazide should not be given to 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, gout, low serum potassium (hypokalemia), patients with nil urine output (anuria) etc.

• 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.

• The monitoring of serum electrolytes is particularly important while taking hydrochlorothiazide.