What does hydrochlorothiazide do to the body?

What does hydrochlorothiazide do to the body?

Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to a class of drugs known as diuretics/”water pills.” It works by causing you to make more urine. This helps your body get rid of extra salt and water. This medication also reduces extra fluid in the body (edema) caused by conditions such as heart failure, liver disease, or kidney disease.

Can I drink coffee while taking hydrochlorothiazide?

Taking caffeine with water pills might cause potassium levels to drop too low. Some “water pills” that can deplete potassium include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Thalitone), furosemide (Lasix), hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ, HydroDiuril, Microzide), and others.

How long does it take for hydrochlorothiazide to start working?

Pharmacological effects begin in about 2 hours after an oral dose, peaks in 4 hours, and lasts for about 6 to 12 hours. Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolized, and a majority is excreted in the urine unchanged. It also causes a loss of potassium and bicarbonate.

Why is hydrochlorothiazide used for high blood pressure?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic mainly used for high blood pressure and water retention. It belongs to the class of thiazide diuretics (or benzothiadiazines). Thiazide diuretics promote the flushing of sodium and water in urine by blocking sodium uptake in the kidneys [1, 2, 3].

Are there any off label uses for hydrochlorothiazide?

It is approved for high blood pressure and edema, and it has a handful of off-label uses. Hydrochlorothiazide and other thiazide diuretics block a kidney cell protein (SLC12A3) that absorbs sodium and chloride from the urine. By doing so, they increase the flushing of sodium, chloride, and water, while reducing their reuptake into the blood [ 2 ].

How does hydrochlorothiazide work in the kidneys?

What is hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide)? Hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that makes you urinate more. It works in the kidneys to remove extra water and certain electrolytes (like sodium and potassium) to lower blood pressure and reduce swelling.

What kind of edema is hydrochlorothiazide used for?

Hydrochlorothiazide is also used to treat fluid retention (edema) that is caused by congestive heart failure, severe liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, or treatment with a steroid or hormone medicine.

What is hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg used for?

Hydrochlorothiazide (12.5 mg or 25 mg) is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). Hydrochlorothiazide is likewise used to treat fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney conditions, or edema caused by taking steroids or estrogen. This medication is used to treat high blood pressure.

How long for HCTZ to work?

HCTZ/triamterene will start having an effect in the first 24-48 hours, but the full benefit may take 5-7 days. You should check with your doctor about the Norvasc , but my assumption is that you will need to continue this in order to keep you blood pressure in the normal range.

How to stop taking hydrochlorothiazide?

You can stop these medications without tapering but you run the risks of electrolyte and hormonal imbalance. You need to be under a doctor’s care so to avoid complicaitons like high blood pressure, hyperkalemia, and hypokalemia, to name just a few.

Should I take hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide can be used to lower blood pressure and to treat edema in people with kidney disorders, liver disorders and congestive heart failure as well as those who have overused steroids or estrogen. Take Hydrochlorothiazide exactly as your doctor or the prescription bottle tells you to.