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| Pronunciation |
|
 (klor
oh THYE a
zide) |
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| Brand Names |
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| Diuril® |
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| Therapeutic
Categories |
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Diuretic, Thiazide |
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| Reasons not to take this
medicine |
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- If you have an allergy to sulfonamide drugs, any other thiazide,
chlorothiazide, or any other part of the medicine.
- If you have severe kidney disease.
- If you are pregnant.
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| What is this medicine used
for? |
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- This medicine is used for the treatment of high blood pressure. It
gets rid of extra fluid (salt and water) in the
body.
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| How does it work? |
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- Chlorothiazide lowers blood pressure. It gets rid of extra salt and
water in the body by acting on the
kidneys.
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| How is it best taken? |
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- A liquid (suspension) is available if you cannot swallow pills. Those
who have feeding tubes can also use the liquid. Flush the feeding tube before
and after medicine is given. Shake well first.
- Take with food early in the day. This prevents getting up at night to
use the bathroom.
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| What do I do if I miss a
dose? |
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- Take a missed dose as soon as possible.
- If it is almost time for the next dose, skip the missed one. Return to
your regular schedule.
- Do not take late in the day.
- Do not take a double dose or extra
doses.
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| What are the precautions when
taking this
medicine? |
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- Avoid alcohol (includes wine, beer, and liquor). Can worsen high blood
pressure or fluid gain.
- Use caution if you are diabetic. Can increase glucose. Talk with
healthcare provider.
- Not for use in kidney disease. Talk with healthcare provider.
- Do not use over-the-counter products that increase blood pressure.
These include cough or cold remedies, diet pills, stimulants, ibuprofen or like
products, and certain herbs or supplements. Talk with healthcare provider.
- You can get sunburned more easily. Avoid lots of sun. Use sunscreen;
wear protective clothing and eyewear.
- Watch for gout attacks. If you have sudden pain in a single joint,
like the toe, talk with healthcare provider.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are allergic to any medicine. Make
sure to tell about the allergy and how it affected you. This includes telling
about rash; hives; itching; shortness of breath; wheezing; cough; swelling of
face, lips, tongue, throat; or any other symptoms involved.
- Do not use in pregnancy and do not get pregnant. Use birth control
that you can trust while taking this medicine.
- Tell healthcare provider if you are
breast-feeding.
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| What are the common side effects
of this
medicine? |
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- Feeling lightheaded. Avoid driving, doing other tasks or activities
that require you to be alert until you see how this medicine affects you.
- Dizziness is common. Rise slowly over several minutes from sitting or
lying position. Be careful climbing stairs.
- Dry mouth. Frequent mouth care, sucking hard candy, or chewing gum may
help.
- Nausea or vomiting. Small frequent meals, frequent mouth care, sucking
hard candy, or chewing gum may help.
- Low potassium. This may make you feel tired, weak, or have numbness
and tingling, muscle cramps, constipation, vomiting, or rapid heartbeats. May
require taking extra potassium and/or eating foods rich in potassium. Talk with
healthcare provider.
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| What should I monitor? |
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- If you are using this medicine for fluid removal, check daily weight.
Report a weight gain or no weight loss.
- Check blood sugar as ordered by healthcare provider.
- Check blood pressure regularly.
- Follow diet plan (low salt) and exercise program as recommended by
healthcare provider.
- Check blood work. Talk with healthcare
provider.
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| Reasons to call healthcare
provider
immediately |
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- Signs of a life-threatening reaction. These include wheezing;
tightness in the chest; fever; itching; bad cough; blue skin color; fits;
swelling of face, lips, tongue, or throat.
- Passing out, fainting, dizziness, or lightheadedness.
- Signs of low potassium (see above). Can lead to serious heartbeat
problems.
- Severe nausea, vomiting, and/or diarrhea.
- Any rash.
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| How should I store this
medicine? |
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- Store in a tight container at room temperature. Protect suspension
from freezing.
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| General statements |
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- Do not share your medicine with others and do not take anyone else's
medicine.
- Keep all medicine out of the reach of children and pets.
- Keep a list of all your medicines (prescription, herbal/supplements,
vitamins, over-the-counter) with you. Give this list to healthcare provider
(doctor, nurse, pharmacist, physician assistant).
- Talk with healthcare provider before starting any new medicine,
including over-the-counter or natural products (herbs,
vitamins).
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