Chlorothiazide Oral Tablets

What is this medication?

CHLOROTHIAZIDE (klor oh THYE a zide) is a diuretic. It helps you make more urine and to lose salt and excess water from your body. It treats swelling from heart, kidney, or liver disease. It also treats high blood pressure.

This medicine may be used for other purposes; ask your health care provider or pharmacist if you have questions.

COMMON BRAND NAME(S): Diuril

What should I tell my care team before I take this medication?

They need to know if you have any of these conditions:

• dehydration
• diabetes, high blood sugar
• high or low levels of electrolytes, like magnesium, potassium, or sodium in your blood
• kidney disease
• liver disease
• lupus
• an unusual or allergic reaction to chlorothiazide, sulfa drugs, other drugs, foods, dyes or preservatives
• pregnant or trying to get pregnant
• breast-feeding

How should I use this medication?

Take this drug by mouth. Take it as directed on the prescription label at the same time every day. You can take it with or without food. If it upsets your stomach, take it with food. Keep taking it unless your health care provider tells you to stop.

Talk to your health care provider about the use of this drug in children. While it may be prescribed for selected conditions, precautions do apply.

Overdosage: If you think you have taken too much of this medicine contact a poison control center or emergency room at once.

NOTE: This medicine is only for you. Do not share this medicine with others.

What if I miss a dose?

If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you can. If it is almost time for your next dose, take only that dose. Do not take double or extra doses.

What may interact with this medication?

• barbiturates, like phenobarbital
• lithium
• medicines for diabetes
• medicines for high blood pressure
• medicines for high cholesterol, like cholestyramine or colestipol
• NSAIDs, medicines for pain and inflammation, like ibuprofen or naproxen
• prescription pain medicines
• skeletal muscle relaxants like tubocurarine
• steroid medicines like prednisone or cortisone

This list may not describe all possible interactions. Give your health care provider a list of all the medicines, herbs, non-prescription drugs, or dietary supplements you use. Also tell them if you smoke, drink alcohol, or use illegal drugs. Some items may interact with your medicine.

What should I watch for while using this medication?

Visit your health care provider for regular checks on your progress. Check your blood pressure as directed. Ask your health care provider what your blood pressure should be. Also, find out when you should contact him or her.

Check with your health care provider if you have severe diarrhea, nausea, and vomiting, or if you sweat a lot. The loss of too much body fluid may make it dangerous for you to take this drug.

You may need to be on a special diet while you are taking this drug. Ask your health care provider. Also, find out how many glasses of fluids you need to drink each day.

You may get drowsy or dizzy. Do not drive, use machinery, or do anything that needs mental alertness until you know how this drug affects you. Do not stand up or sit up quickly, especially if you are an older patient. This reduces the risk of dizzy or fainting spells. Alcohol may interfere with the effect of this drug. Avoid alcoholic drinks.

Do not treat yourself for coughs, colds, or pain while you are using this drug without asking your health care provider for advice. Some drugs may increase your blood pressure.

What side effects may I notice from receiving this medication?

Side effects that you should report to your doctor or health care professional as soon as possible:

• allergic reactions (skin rash, itching or hives; swelling of the face, lips, or tongue)
• heartbeat rhythm changes (trouble breathing; chest pain; dizziness; fast, irregular heartbeat; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls)
• kidney injury (trouble passing urine or change in the amount of urine)
• low blood pressure (dizziness; feeling faint or lightheaded, falls; unusually weak or tired)
• redness, blistering, peeling, or loosening of the skin, including inside the mouth

Side effects that usually do not require medical attention (report to your doctor or health care professional if they continue or are bothersome):

• diarrhea
• high blood sugar (increased hunger, thirst or urination; unusually weak or tired, blurry vision)
• increased thirst
• loss of appetite
• muscle cramps, pain
• unusual sweating
• vomiting

This list may not describe all possible side effects. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Where should I keep my medication?

Keep out of the reach of children and pets.

Store at room temperature between 20 and 25 degrees C (68 and 77 degrees F). Throw away any unused drug after the expiration date.

NOTE: This sheet is a summary. It may not cover all possible information. If you have questions about this medicine, talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or health care provider.