Chlorthalidone
About Chlorthalidone
Chlorthalidone is used to treat high blood pressure, heart failure and oedema (a build-up of fluid in the body). Higher blood pressure can lead to heart disease, irregular heartbeat, and other complications, such as oedema (when fluids in the body become trapped in the tissues of the hands, arms, feet, ankles, and legs, causing swelling).
Chlorthalidone contains Chlorthalidone, which works by increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys. Hence, it helps treat hypertension and oedema.
In some cases, you may experience headaches, nausea and dizziness. Most of these side effects do not require medical attention. However, talk to your doctor if you experience these side effects persistently.
Do not stop this medicine early, as it may raise blood pressure and increase the risk of heart disease and stroke. Inform your doctor if you are suffering from any kidney, liver, or heart disease. Inform your doctor if you are pregnant or breastfeeding before taking Chlorthalidone.
Uses of Chlorthalidone
Medicinal Benefits
- When you take Chlorthalidone, it relaxes the blood vessels in your body, which helps lower high blood pressure.
- It widens the blood vessels, including the lining of the artery walls, to improve blood flow throughout the body.
- Chlorthalidone helps the body lose excess fluids by increasing urine production.
- Reducing fluid overload decreases the workload on the heart, making the heart more efficient at pumping blood.
- It helps lower high blood pressure, thereby reducing the risk of a future heart attack or stroke.
- Chlorthalidone also helps reduce fluid buildup in the body, which in turn reduces inflammation and swelling.
- By reducing oedema, it supports better physical comfort and helps you carry out your daily activities more efficiently.
Directions for Use
- Chlorthalidone should be taken with food, preferably after breakfast.
- It is usually taken once daily in the morning. However, your doctor may adjust the dosage of Chlorthalidone based on your medical condition and response to treatment.
- Swallow Chlorthalidone as a whole with a glass of water.
- Do not crush, chew, or break it.
Storage
Side Effects of Chlorthalidone
- Bradycardia (slow heart rate)
- Hyperglycemia
- Hyperuricemia (an excess of uric acid in the blood)
- Muscle spasm
- Nausea
- Extreme tiredness
Drug Warnings
- Chlorthalidone should not be given to 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.
- Chlorthalidone 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 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 a 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
unsafeYou are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Pregnancy
unsafeChlorthalidone 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
consult your doctorChlorthalidone 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 talk to your doctor.
Driving
unsafeDriving 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, such as 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 consuming excessive salt or foods high in salt.
- Maintain a healthy weight with a BMI of 19.5-24.9.
- Regular physical activity, such as walking, improves blood flow.
- When possible, elevate your legs or the swollen area on a chair or pillows.
- Avoid standing or sitting for extended periods.
- 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 is a chronic condition characterised by blood pressure that 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 a heart attack (when the 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, also known as a sphygmomanometer. Systolic pressure is the pressure when the heart pumps blood out. On the other hand, diastolic pressure is the pressure when the heart is at rest between heartbeats. If your blood pressure is 140/90 mmHg, it means the systolic pressure is 140 mmHg and the diastolic pressure is 90 mmHg. The ideal blood pressure range should be between 90/60 mmHg and 120/80 mmHg.
Oedema: Also known as 'dropsy' or 'hydropsy', is a condition of fluid retention in the body characterised by swelling of the body's tissue, including ankles, feet and legs. It is usually caused by prolonged standing or sitting in the same position, excessive consumption of salty foods, and being overweight. Oedema mainly affects the lymphatic system (including the circulatory and immune system) and organs like the tonsils, spleen, and thymus, which maintain fluid balance and fight infections.
FAQs
Chlorthalidone is used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension) and oedema (a build-up of fluid in the body).
Chlorthalidone 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 a heart attack or stroke.
Taking Chlorthalidone may cause dehydration. So, to avoid dehydration, drink plenty of fluids and inform your doctor if you feel extremely thirsty.
It is unlikely that Chlorthalidone affects fertility in men or women. However, some water pills like hydrochlorothiazide may lead to erectile dysfunction. There is 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 lifelong conditions and one should not abruptly discontinue them 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.
Yes, Chlorthalidone is a diuretic (water pill), which increasing the amount of urine that is passed out from the kidneys.
Take Chlorthalidone as prescribed by the doctor. It can be taken daily if advised by the doctor.
You are recommended not to consume alcohol along with Chlorthalidone to avoid unpleasant side-effects.
Taking more than the recommended dose of Chlorthalidone may cause serious side effects. The symptoms of overdose include drowsiness, dizziness, nausea, weakness, muscle pain, extreme thirst, or rapid heartbeats. If you suspect you have taken an overdose or notice signs of overdose, please consult a doctor immediately. Avoid exceeding the recommended dose and take Chlorthalidone as advised by the doctor.
Consult the doctor before taking ibuprofen with Chlorthalidone as dose adjustment may be needed to safely take both the medicines together.
Yes, Chlorthalidone may increase uric acid levels leading to gout. Inform the doctor if you have gout or if you notice symptoms of gout such as sudden/severe attack of pain, swelling, redness and tenderness in one or more joints.
Chlorthalidone may not cause skin cancer. However, it might cause sensitivity to sunlight. Wear protective clothing and use sunscreen while going out.
Chlorthalidone may cause side effects like headaches, nausea or dizziness, which usually resolve over time. However, if the side effects are persistent, reach out to your doctor.
