Rinfocan- Prescription Drug Information for Canadians
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THIAZIDE DIURETICS
GENERIC NAME: BENDROFLUMETHIAZIDE
Naturetin
GENERIC NAME: BENZTHIAZIDE
Exna
Hydrex
GENERIC NAME: CHLOROTHIAZIDE
Diachlor
Diurigen
Diuril, 500 mg
GENERIC NAME: CHLORTHALIDONE
Hygroton, 25 mg
Hylidone
Thalitone
(Also available in generic form)
GENERIC NAME: HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
Diaqua
Esidrix, 25 mg
Hydro-Chlor
HydroDIURIL
Hydromal
Hydro-T
Hydro-Z-50
Mictrin
Oretic
Thiuretic
(Also available in generic form)
GENERIC NAME: HYDROFLUMETHIAZIDE
Diucardin
Saluron
(Also available in generic form)
GENERIC NAME: INDAPAMIDE
Lozide
GENERIC NAME: METOLAZONE
Diulo, 5 mg
Microx
Zaroxolyn, 2.5 mg
Zaroxolyn, 10 mg
GENERIC NAME: METHYCLOTHIAZIDE
Aquatensen
Enduron, 2.5 mg
Ethon
(Also available in generic form)
GENERIC NAME: POLYTHIAZIDE
Renese
GENERIC NAME: QUINETHAZONE
Hydromox
GENERIC NAME: TRICHLORMETHIAZIDE
Diurese
Metahydrin
Naqua
Niazide
Trichlorex
(Also available in generic form)
PRESCRIBED FOR
Congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, kidney
malfunction, high blood pressure, and other conditions where it
is necessary to rid the body of excess water.
GENERAL INFORMATION
Thiazide diuretics act on the kidneys to stimulate the production
of large amounts of urine. They also cause you to lose
bicarbonate, chloride, and potassium ions from the body. They
are used as part of the treatment of any disease where it is
desirable to eliminate large quantities of body water. These
diseases include heart failure, some kidney diseases, and liver
disease. Thiazide drugs are often taken together with other
medicines to treat high blood pressure.
CAUTIONS AND WARNINGS
Do not take a thiazide diuretic if you are allergic or sensitive to
any drugs of this group or to sulfa drugs. If you have a history of
allergy or bronchial asthma, you may also have a sensitivity or
allergy to thiazide diuretics.
PREGNANCY/BREAST-FEEDING
Although these drugs have been used to treat specific conditions
in pregnancy, unsupervised use by pregnant patients should be
avoided. Thiazide diuretics cross the placenta and can cause side
effects in the newborn infant, such as jaundice, blood problems,
and low potassium. Birth defects have not been seen in animal
studies.
Thiazide diuretics pass into breast milk. No problems have been
reported in nursing infants, but nursing mothers should consider
an alternative feeding method.
SENIORS
Older adults are more sensitive to the effects of these drugs,
especially dizziness. They should closely follow their doctor's
directions and report any side effects at once.
POSSIBLE SIDE EFFECTS
Thiazide diuretics cause loss of body potassium. Signs of low
potassium are dryness of the mouth, thirst, weakness, lethargy,
drowsiness, restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, muscular
tiredness, low blood pressure, decreased frequency of urination
and decreased amount of urine produced, abnormal heart rate,
stomach upset including nausea and vomiting. To treat this,
potassium supplements are given in the form of tablets, liquids,
or powders or by consumption of foods such as bananas, citrus
fruits, melons, and tomatoes is increased.
Less common side effects are loss of appetite, stomach upset,
nausea, vomiting, cramping, diarrhea, constipation, dizziness,
headache, tingling of the toes and fingers, restlessness, changes
in blood composition, sensitivity to sunlight, rash, itching, fever,
difficulty in breathing, allergic reactions, dizziness when rising
quickly from a sitting or lying position, muscle spasms,
weakness, and blurred vision.
DRUG INTERACTIONS
Thiazide diuretics increase the action of other
blood-pressure-lowering drugs. This is good and is the reason
why people with high blood pressure often take more than one
medicine.
The possibility of developing imbalances in body fluids
(electrolytes) is increased if you take medications such as
Digitalis and adrenal corticosteroids while you take a thiazide
diuretic.
If you are taking an oral antidiabetic drug and begin taking a
thiazide diuretic, the antidiabetic dose may have to be altered.
Lithium Carbonate taken with a thiazide diuretic should be
monitored carefully by a doctor because there may be an
increased risk of Lithium toxicity.
If you are taking a thiazide diuretic for the treatment of high
blood pressure or congestive heart failure, avoid
over-the-counter medicines for the treatment of coughs, colds,
and allergies: Such medicines may contain stimulants. If you are
unsure about them, ask your pharmacist.
USUAL DOSE
BENDROFLUMETHIAZIDE
Initial dose, up to 20 milligrams 1 to 2 times per day.
Maintenance dose, 2.5 to 5 milligrams per day. It is
recommended that you take this drug in the morning to avoid the
possibility of your sleep being disturbed by the need to urinate.
BENZTHIAZIDE
Initial dose, 50 to 200 milligrams per day. Daily dosages over
100 milligrams should be divided into 2 doses, to be taken after
morning and evening meals. Maintenance dose, 50 to 150
milligrams per day.
CHLOROTHIAZIDE
Adult: 0.5 to 1 gram 1 to 2 times per day. Often people respond
to intermittent therapy, that is, taking the drug on alternate days
or 3 to 5 days per week. This reduces side effects.
Child: 10 milligrams per pound of body weight each day in 2
equal doses.
Infant (under age 6 months): up to 15 milligrams per pound of
body weight per day in 2 equal doses.
CHLORTHALIDONE
50 to 100 milligrams per day, or 100 milligrams on alternate days
or 3 days per week. Some patients may require 150 or 200
milligrams per day; doses of more than 200 milligrams per day
generally do not produce greater response. A single dose is
taken with food in the morning.
HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE
Adult: 25 to 200 milligrams per day, depending on condition
treated. Maintenance dose, 25 to 100 milligrams per day; some
patients may require up to 200 milligrams per day. It is
recommended that you take this drug early in the morning to
avoid the possibility of your sleep being disturbed by the need to
urinate.
Child (age 6 months and over): 1 milligram per pound of body
we weight per day in 2 doses.
Infant (under age 6 months): 1.5 milligrams per pound per day
in 2 doses.
HYDROFLUMETHIAZIDE
Initial dose, 50 milligrams 1 or 2 times per day. Maintenance
dose, 25 to 200 milligrams per day. Daily dosages over 100
milligrams should be divided into separate doses.
INDAPAMIDE
2.5 milligrams per day, taken in the morning. Dosage may be
increased to 5 milligrams per day.
METOLAZONE
Dosage is individualized. Diulo and Zaroxolyn: 2.5 to 20
milligrams once per day, depending on condition treated.
Microx: 0.5 milligrams once per day, taken in the morning.
Dosage may be increased to 1 milligram per day.
METHYCLOTHIAZIDE
2.5 to 10 milligrams per day, in the morning.
POLYTHIAZIDE
1 to 4 milligrams per day.
QUINETHAZONE
50 to 100 milligrams per day. Occasionally dosages of 100
milligrams are divided into 2 doses. Some patients may require
150 to 200 milligrams per day.
TRICHLORMETHIAZIDE
1 to 4 milligrams per day.
Thiazide diuretic doses must be adjusted until maximum
therapeutic response at minimum effective dose is reached.
OVERDOSAGE
Signs can be tingling in the arms or legs, weakness, fatigue,
changes in your heartbeat, a sickly feeling, dry mouth,
restlessness, muscle pains or cramps, urinary difficulty, nausea,
or vomiting. Take the overdose victim to a hospital emergency
room for treatment at once. ALWAYS bring the prescription
bottle and any remaining medicine.
SPECIAL INFORMATION
If you forget to take a dose of a thiazide diuretic, take it as soon
as you remember. If it is almost time for your next regularly
scheduled dose, skip the one you forgot and continue with your
regular schedule. Do not take a double dose.
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