Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ  

Hydrochlorothiazide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
6-chloro-1,1-dioxo-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide
Identifiers
CAS number	58-93-5
ATC code	C03AA03
PubChem	3639
ChemSpider	3513
Chemical data
Formula	C7H8ClN3O4S2
Mol. mass	297.74
SMILES	eMolecules & PubChem
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Variably absorbed from GI tract
Metabolism	does not undergo significant metabolism (>95% excreted unchanged in urine)[1]
Half life	5.6-14.8 h
Excretion	Primarily excreted unchanged in urine
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	B (D if used to treat pregnancy-induced hypertension)
Legal status	Prescription only
Routes	Oral (capsules, tablets, oral solution)
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Hydrochlorothiazide, abbreviated HCTZ, HCT, or HZT, is a first line diuretic drug of the thiazide class that acts by inhibiting the kidneys' ability to retain water. This reduces the volume of the blood, decreasing blood return to the heart and thus cardiac output and, by other mechanisms, is believed to lower peripheral vascular resistance. Hydrochlorothiazide is sold both as a generic drug and under a large number of brand names, including Apo-Hydro, Aquazide H, Dichlotride, Hydrodiuril, HydroSaluric, Microzide, Esidrex, and Oretic.

Hydrochlorothiazide is also used in combination with many popular drugs used to treat hypertension such as Diovan HCT, Zestoretic, Benicar HCT, Atacand HCT, and Lotensin HCT and others.

Mechanism of action

Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to the thiazide class of diuretics, acting on the kidneys to reduce sodium (Na) reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. This increases the osmolarity in the lumen, causing less water to be reabsorbed from the collecting ducts. This leads to increased urinary output.

Indications

HCTZ is often used in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, symptomatic edema and the prevention of kidney stones. It is effective for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus and is also sometimes used for hypercalciuria, Dent's disease and Meniere's disease.

Hypokalemia, an occasional side effect, can be usually prevented by potassium supplements or by combining hydrochlorothiazide with a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Thiazides are also used in the treatment of osteoporosis. Thiazides decrease mineral bone loss by promoting calcium retention in the kidney, and by directly stimulating osteoblast differentiation and bone mineral formation.^[2]

Side effects

• Hypokalemia
• Hypomagnesemia
• Hyperuricemia and gout
• High blood sugar
• Hyperlipidemia
• Hypercalcemia
• Headache
• Nausea/vomiting
• Photosensitivity
• Weight Gain

See also

• Benicar HCT
• Diovan HCT

External links

• NIH medlineplus druginfo

References

Recent Hydrochlorothiazide, HCTZ Forums  View All  

Would Like An Answer To My Question I have been taking hydrochlorothiazide for years and i want to know how long it will take to get out of the system. Its a simple question and i see other people have asked the same question and they answer everything but the time frame of how long or about how long it will take to get out of the system. Friday, 9/11/2009 11:31:25 PM  2 Replies

Hydrochlorothiazide if you do not take this medication for 3-5days can it cause water retention right away? Tuesday, 10/21/2008 6:51:50 AM  2 Replies

Hydrochlorothiazide I have antiphospolipid syndrome (APS) I was given HCTZ for blood pressure and after two weeks my body went hatwire. This resulted in severe resperatory distress, intubated for 3 days had heart attack was kept alive w/ macinery & drugs. Later realized this triggered catastrophic antiphospolipid syndrome. After researching found that this is a known trigger- to late for me. Two years later I still don't have all the feeling back in my legs and have lung and kidney damage. Tuesday, 5/6/2008 1:23:43 PM  1 Reply

I Have A Kidney Disease And Afraid To Take This Hb i have polycystic kidney disease and was prescribed this HBP pill,after reading the side effects i'm scared to take them but my bp is high off and on all day...i feel week and have weird pressure going on in my head and my heart feels weird ... Wednesday, 4/2/2008 9:24:18 PM  Post a Reply