Hydrochlorothiazide (brand names: Apo-Hydro / Aquazide H / Dichlotride / Hydrodiuril / HydroSaluric / Microzide / Oretic / Moduretic / Inderide / Dyazide / Aldactazide / Aldoril), sometimes abbreviated HCT, HCTZ, or HZT is a popular diuretic drug (water pill) that acts by inhibiting the kidney's 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 used to treat excessive fluid accumulation and swelling (edema) of the body caused by heart failure, cirrhosis, chronic kidney failure, corticosteroid medications, and nephrotic syndrome.
Hydrochlorothiazide is also used alone or in combination with other blood pressure lowering medications to treat high blood pressure.
This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.
Recommendations
Follow the directions for using this medicine provided by your doctor. Take Hydrochlorothiazide exactly as directed.
Hydrochlorothiazide may be taken with or without food. Hydrochlorothiazide is usually taken once or twice a day. If you are to take it once a day, take it in the morning; if you are to take it twice a day, take it in the morning and in the late afternoon to avoid going to the bathroom during the night. Take this medication with meals or a snack.
If you forget to take Hydrochlorothiazide, take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule. Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one.
Store Hydrochlorothiazide at room temperature, away from excess heat and moisture.
Precautions
Before taking Hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor if:
you are allergic to any medicines;
you have or have ever had diabetes, gout, or kidney, liver, thyroid, or parathyroid disease;
you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breast-feeding.
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