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Hydrochlorothiazide



Hydrochlorothiazide
Systematic (IUPAC) name
6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H- 1,2,4-benzothiadiazine- 7-sulfonamide 1,1-dioxide
Identifiers
CAS number	58-93-5
ATC code	C03AA03
PubChem	3639
Chemical data
Formula	C₇H₈ClN₃O₄S₂
Mol. mass	297.742
Pharmacokinetic data
Bioavailability	Variably absorbed from GI tract
Metabolism	?
Half life	5.6-14.8 hours
Excretion	Primarily excreted unchanged in urine
Therapeutic considerations
Pregnancy cat.	B (D if used to treat pregnancy-induced hypertension)
Legal status	℞ Prescription only
Routes	Oral (capsules, tablets, oral solution)

Hydrochlorothiazide, sometimes abbreviated HCT, HCTZ, or HZT is a popular diuretic drug that acts by inhibiting the kidneys' 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 sold both as a generic drug and under a large number of brand names, including: Apo-Hydro, Aquazide H, Dichlotride, Hydrodiuril, HydroSaluric, Microzide, Oretic.

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Hydrochlorothiazide belongs to the thiazide class of diuretics, acting on the kidneys to reduce sodium (Na) reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule. This reduces the osmotic pressure in the kidneys, causing less water to be reabsorbed by the collecting ducts. This leads to increased urinary output.

Indications

HCT is often used in the treatment of hypertension, congestive heart failure, symptomatic edema and the prevention of kidney stones. It is effective for nephrogenic diabetes insipidus (paradoxical effect, which decreases urine formation) and is also sometimes used for hypercalciuria and Dent's Disease.

Hypokalemia, an occasional side-effect, can be usually prevented by potassium supplements or combining hydrochlorothiazide with a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Side effects

NOTE: This list needs references. The NIH link provided below does not agree with several items on this list.

v • d • e Antihypertensives (C02) and diuretics (C03)
Sympatholytic agents (including alpha)	centrally acting/antiadrenergics (Clonidine, Guanfacine, Methyldopa, Moxonidine, Rescinnamine, Reserpine, Rilmenidine) • ganglion-blocking/nicotinic antagonist (Mecamylamine, Trimethaphan) • peripherally acting/antiadrenergics (Prazosin, Guanethidine, Indoramin, Doxazosin)
Vasodilators	Diazoxide • Hydralazine • Minoxidil • Nitroprusside • Phentolamine
Other antihypertensives	serotonin antagonist (Ketanserin) • endothelin receptor antagonist (Bosentan, Ambrisentan, Sitaxsentan)
Low ceiling diuretics	Thiazide (Bendroflumethiazide, Chlorothiazide, Hydrochlorothiazide) • Chlortalidone • Indapamide • Quinethazone • Mersalyl • Metolazone • Theobromine • Cicletanine
High ceiling diuretics	Loop diuretic (Bumetanide, Furosemide, Torasemide)
Potassium-sparing diuretics	ESC blockers (Amiloride, Triamterene) • aldosterone antagonists (Spironolactone, Eplerenone, Potassium canrenoate, Canrenone)

Category: Thiazides

This article is licensed under the GNU Free Documentation License. It uses material from the Wikipedia article "Hydrochlorothiazide". A list of authors is available in Wikipedia.