In order to manage high blood pressure, hydrochlorothiazide may be taken either on its own or in conjunction with other drugs. Hydrochlorothiazide is used to treat edoema (fluid retention; extra fluid trapped in bodily tissues) brought on by a variety of medical conditions, such as heart, kidney, and liver disease, as well as edoema brought on by the use of specific drugs, such as oestrogen and corticosteroids. Diuretics, also known as “water pills,” are a class of drugs that includes hydrochlorothiazide. It functions by causing the kidneys to excrete salt and water from the body through the urine.

High blood pressure is a common illness that, if left untreated, can harm the kidneys, brain, heart, blood vessels, and other organs. Heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, a stroke, renal failure, eyesight loss, and other issues may result from damage to these organs. Making lifestyle modifications will help you control your blood pressure in addition to taking medication. These adjustments include quitting smoking, drinking alcohol in moderation, eating a diet low in fat and salt, keeping a healthy weight, and exercising for at least 30 minutes most days.

The oral forms of hydrochlorothiazide include tablets, capsules, and solutions (liquids). Typically, it is consumed once or twice a day. Hydrochlorothiazide may be taken every day or just on particular days of the week when treating edoema. Ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any instructions on your prescription label that you are unsure about following. follow the hydrochlorothiazide directions to the letter. Never take it in larger or less amounts or more frequently than directed by your doctor.

Despite not curing high blood pressure, hydrochlorothiazide manages it. If you feel fine, keep taking hydrochlorothiazide. Without consulting your doctor, do not discontinue taking hydrochlorothiazide.

In addition to treating diabetes insipidus, hydrochlorothiazide may also be used to prevent kidney stones in those with excessive blood calcium levels. Discuss the potential dangers of using this medication for your illness with your doctor.

Ask your doctor or pharmacist for more details if you’re interested in using this medication for any other conditions.

Before taking hydrochlorothiazide,

• If you have an allergy to penicillin,’sulfa medicines,’ hydrochlorothiazide, or any other medication, tell your doctor right away.
• Inform your physician and pharmacist of any additional prescription and over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, dietary supplements, and herbal products you are now taking or intend to use. Be certain to bring up any of the following: Barbiturates like phenobarbital and secobarbital (Seconal); corticosteroids like betamethasone (Celestone), budesonide (Entocort), cortisone (Cortone), dexamethasone (Decadron, Dexpak, Dexasone, others), fludrocortisone (Florinef), hydrocortisone (Cortef, Hydrocortone), methylpredni (Advil, Motrin, others) plus naproxen (Aleve, Naprosyn, others). Your physician might need to adjust the dosage of your drugs or keep a close eye on you for side effects.
• Cholestyramine and colestipol should be taken one hour prior to or four hours following the administration of hydrochlorothiazide, respectively.
• If you have kidney disease, tell your doctor. You could be advised by your doctor not to take hydrochlorothiazide.
• Inform your physician if you have or have had had kidney or liver illness, diabetes, asthma, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), excessive cholesterol, or any other medical conditions.
• Inform your doctor if you are nursing a baby, intend to get pregnant, or are already pregnant. Hydrochlorothiazide can cause pregnancy, so call your doctor right once if it does.
• Make a plan to limit your time spent in the sun and to use sunscreen, sunglasses, and protective clothes. Your skin may become more susceptible to sunlight and you may get certain types of skin cancer as a result of taking hydrochlorothiazide. During the course of your hydrochlorothiazide therapy, your doctor will examine your skin for skin malignancies. If you see any new skin growths or changes, contact your doctor right away.
• You should be aware that if you get out of a sleeping position too rapidly while taking hydrochlorothiazide, you could have dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting. When you initially start taking hydrochlorothiazide, this is more typical. Get out of bed gradually, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up, to avoid this issue. These negative effects may be exacerbated by alcohol.

If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, or to eat or drink increased amounts of potassium-rich foods (e.g., bananas, prunes, raisins, and orange juice) in your diet, follow these instructions carefully.

If you miss a dosage, take it as soon as you recall. If your next dose is approaching, skip the missed one and carry on with your regular dosing regimen. To make up for a missing dose, do not take a second one.

If any of these symptoms are severe or do not go away, let your doctor know right once:

• Often urinating
• Diarrhea
• Reduced appetite
• Headache
• Hair fall

Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you have any of the following symptoms:

• Dry lips, thirst, nausea, vomiting, fatigue, restlessness, confusion, muscle weakness, soreness, or cramps, a rapid heartbeat, and other symptoms of electrolyte imbalance and dehydration
• Peeling or blistering skin
• Hives
• Rash
• Itching
• Breathing or swallowing challenges
• Fever, chills, a sore throat, and other symptoms of infection
• Uncommon bruising or bleeding
• Ongoing stomach ache that occasionally radiates to the back
• Joint discomfort or puffiness
• Changes in vision, discomfort in the eye, or eyelids that are swollen or reddened

You or your doctor can submit a report to the Food and Drug Administration’s (FDA) MedWatch Adverse Event Reporting programme online or by phone if you have a serious side event (1-800-332-1088).

Keep this medication tightly closed in the original container and out of the reach of children. Store it away from excessive heat and moisture at room temperature (not in the bathroom). The liquid or pills must not freeze.

As many containers (such as weekly pill minders and those for eye drops, creams, patches, and inhalers) are not child-resistant and are simple for young children to open, it is crucial to keep all medications out of sight and out of reach of children. Always lock safety caps and promptly stash medication up and away from young children where it is out of their sight and reach to prevent poisoning. http://www.upandaway.org

Unused prescriptions must be disposed of carefully to prevent pets, kids, and other people from ingesting them. You should not, however, dispose of this medication in the toilet. Instead, utilising a medicine take-back programme is the easiest approach to get rid of your medication. To find out about take-back programmes in your area, speak with your pharmacist or the garbage/recycling department in your city. If you do not have access to a take-back programme, see the FDA’s Safe Disposal of Medicines website at http://goo.gl/c4Rm4p for additional information.

Call 1-800-222-1222 to reach the poison control hotline in the event of an overdose. You can get information online at https://www.poisonhelp.org/help. Call emergency services at 911 right away if the sufferer has fallen, experienced a seizure, is having problems breathing, or cannot be roused.

Maintain all scheduled times with your physician and the lab. Regular blood pressure checks and blood testing should both be performed on you.

Inform the lab staff and your doctor that you are taking hydrochlorothiazide prior to any laboratory test.

No one else should take your medication. Any queries you may have regarding medication refills should be directed to your pharmacist.

You should keep a written record of every medication you take, including any over-the-counter (OTC) items, prescription drugs, and dietary supplements like vitamins and minerals. This list should be brought with you whenever you see a doctor or are admitted to the hospital. You should always have this information with you in case of emergencies.