chlorthalidone

klor-THAL-i-done

Commonly used brand name(s)

In the U.S.

• Thalitone

Available Dosage Forms:

• Tablet

Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Diuretic

Chemical Class: Thiazide Related

Uses For chlorthalidone

Chlorthalidone is used alone or together with other medicines to treat high blood pressure (hypertension). High blood pressure adds to the workload of the heart and arteries. If it continues for a long time, the heart and arteries may not function properly. This can damage the blood vessels of the brain, heart, and kidneys, resulting in a stroke, heart failure, or kidney failure. High blood pressure may also increase the risk of heart attacks. These problems may be less likely to occur if blood pressure is controlled.

Chlorthalidone is also used to treat fluid retention (edema) that is caused by congestive heart failure, severe liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, or treatment with a hormone or steroid medicine.

Chlorthalidone is a diuretic (water pill). It reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps to lower blood pressure.

Chlorthalidone is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using chlorthalidone

In deciding to use a medicine, the risks of taking the medicine must be weighed against the good it will do. This is a decision you and your doctor will make. For chlorthalidone, the following should be considered:

Allergies

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to chlorthalidone or any other medicines. Also tell your health care professional if you have any other types of allergies, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For non-prescription products, read the label or package ingredients carefully.

Pediatric

Appropriate studies have not been performed on the relationship of age to the effects of chlorthalidone in the pediatric population. Safety and efficacy have not been established.

Geriatric

No information is available on the relationship of age to the effects of chlorthalidone in geriatric patients. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related kidney disease, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving chlorthalidone.

Pregnancy

	Pregnancy Category	Explanation
All Trimesters	B	Animal studies have revealed no evidence of harm to the fetus, however, there are no adequate studies in pregnant women OR animal studies have shown an adverse effect, but adequate studies in pregnant women have failed to demonstrate a risk to the fetus.

Breast Feeding

There are no adequate studies in women for determining infant risk when using this medication during breastfeeding. Weigh the potential benefits against the potential risks before taking this medication while breastfeeding.

Interactions with Medicines

Although certain medicines should not be used together at all, in other cases two different medicines may be used together even if an interaction might occur. In these cases, your doctor may want to change the dose, or other precautions may be necessary. When you are taking chlorthalidone, it is especially important that your healthcare professional know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions have been selected on the basis of their potential significance and are not necessarily all-inclusive.

Using chlorthalidone with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be required in some cases. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Acetyldigoxin


• Arsenic Trioxide


• Bepridil


• Deslanoside


• Digitalis


• Digitoxin


• Digoxin


• Dofetilide


• Droperidol


• Flecainide


• Ketanserin


• Levomethadyl


• Lithium


• Metildigoxin


• Sotalol

Using chlorthalidone with any of the following medicines may cause an increased risk of certain side effects, but using both drugs may be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or how often you use one or both of the medicines.

• Alacepril


• Apazone


• Aspirin


• Benazepril


• Bromfenac


• Captopril


• Celecoxib


• Chlorpropamide


• Cilazapril


• Delapril


• Diclofenac


• Diflunisal


• Enalaprilat


• Enalapril Maleate


• Etodolac


• Fenoprofen


• Flurbiprofen


• Fosinopril


• Gossypol


• Ibuprofen


• Ibuprofen Lysine


• Imidapril


• Indomethacin


• Ketoprofen


• Ketorolac


• Licorice


• Lisinopril


• Magnesium Salicylate


• Meclofenamate


• Mefenamic Acid


• Meloxicam


• Moexipril


• Nabumetone


• Naproxen


• Nepafenac


• Oxaprozin


• Pentopril


• Perindopril


• Piroxicam


• Quinapril


• Ramipril


• Salicylic Acid


• Salsalate


• Spirapril


• Sulindac


• Temocapril


• Tolmetin


• Trandolapril


• Zofenopril

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be used at or around the time of eating food or eating certain types of food since interactions may occur. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also cause interactions to occur. Discuss with your healthcare professional the use of your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

The presence of other medical problems may affect the use of chlorthalidone. Make sure you tell your doctor if you have any other medical problems, especially:

• Anuria (not able to form urine)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Asthma or


• Diabetes or


• Gout or


• Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood) or


• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or


• Hypochloremia (low chloride in the blood) or


• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or


• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or


• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or


• Hypophosphatemia (low phosphorus in the blood) or


• Systemic lupus erythematosus—Use with caution. chlorthalidone may make these conditions worse.

• Kidney disease or


• Liver disease—Use with caution. The effects of the medicine may be increased because of slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Proper Use of chlorthalidone

In addition to the use of chlorthalidone, treatment for your high blood pressure may include weight control and changes in the types of foods you eat, especially foods high in sodium or potassium. Your doctor will tell you which of these are most important for you. You should check with your doctor before changing your diet.

Many patients who have high blood pressure will not notice any signs of the problem. In fact, many may feel normal. It is very important that you take your medicine exactly as directed and that you keep your appointments with your doctor even if you feel well.

Remember that chlorthalidone will not cure your high blood pressure, but it does help control it. You must continue to take it as directed if you expect to lower your blood pressure and keep it down. You may have to take high blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life. If high blood pressure is not treated, it can cause serious problems such as heart failure, blood vessel disease, stroke, or kidney disease.

Chlorthalidone is usually taken in the morning with food.

Dosing

The dose of chlorthalidone will be different for different patients. Follow your doctor's orders or the directions on the label. The following information includes only the average doses of chlorthalidone. If your dose is different, do not change it unless your doctor tells you to do so.

The amount of medicine that you take depends on the strength of the medicine. Also, the number of doses you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and the length of time you take the medicine depend on the medical problem for which you are using the medicine.

• For oral dosage forms (tablets):
  
  • For fluid retention (edema):
    
    • Adults—At first, 50 to 100 milligrams (mg) once a day, or 100 mg once every other day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  
  • For high blood pressure:
    
    • Adults—At first, 25 milligrams (mg) once a day. Your doctor may adjust your dose if needed.
    
    
    • Children—Use and dose must be determined by your doctor.
    
    
  
  

Missed Dose

If you miss a dose of chlorthalidone, take it as soon as possible. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and go back to your regular dosing schedule. Do not double doses.

Storage

Store the medicine in a closed container at room temperature, away from heat, moisture, and direct light. Keep from freezing.

Keep out of the reach of children.

Do not keep outdated medicine or medicine no longer needed.

Ask your healthcare professional how you should dispose of any medicine you do not use.

Precautions While Using chlorthalidone

It is very important that your doctor check your progress at regular visits to make sure chlorthalidone is working properly. Blood tests may be needed to check for unwanted effects.

Check with your doctor right away if you have any of the following symptoms while taking chlorthalidone: convulsions or seizures; decreased urine; drowsiness; dry mouth; excessive thirst; muscle pains or cramps; nausea or vomiting; increased heart rate or pulse; or unusual tiredness or weakness. These may be symptoms of a condition called hypokalemia or potassium loss.

chlorthalidone may cause some people to become dizzy. Do not drive, use machines, or do anything else that could be dangerous if you are dizzy.

Drinking alcoholic beverages may also make the dizziness worse. While you are taking chlorthalidone, be careful to limit the amount of alcohol you drink.

Do not take other medicines unless they have been discussed with your doctor. This includes prescription or nonprescription (over-the-counter [OTC]) medicines and herbal or vitamin supplements.

chlorthalidone Side Effects

Along with its needed effects, a medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Although not all of these side effects may occur, if they do occur they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain


• black, tarry stools


• bleeding gums


• blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin


• bloating


• blood in urine or stools


• blurred vision


• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings


• chest pain


• chills


• clay-colored stools


• cold sweats


• confusion


• constipation


• cough or hoarseness


• coughing up blood


• darkened urine


• diarrhea


• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly


• dry mouth


• fast heartbeat


• fatigue


• fever


• flushed, dry skin


• fruit-like breath odor


• general feeling of tiredness or weakness


• headache


• increased hunger


• increased thirst


• increased urination


• indigestion


• itching


• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling


• loss of appetite


• lower back or side pain


• nausea


• pain in joints or muscles


• painful or difficult urination


• pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back


• pinpoint red spots on skin


• red irritated eyes


• red skin lesions, often with a purple center


• redness, soreness or itching skin


• shortness of breath


• skin rash


• sore throat


• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth


• sores, welting, or blisters


• sugar in the urine


• sweating


• swelling of feet or lower legs


• swollen glands


• tightness in chest


• troubled breathing


• unpleasant breath odor


• unusual bleeding or bruising


• unusual tiredness or weakness


• unusual weight loss


• vomiting


• vomiting of blood


• weight loss


• wheezing


• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Cramping


• decreased interest in sexual intercourse


• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)


• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings


• hives


• inability to have or keep an erection


• increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight


• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance


• muscle spasm


• redness or other discoloration of skin


• restlessness


• sensation of spinning


• severe sunburn


• weakness

Other side effects not listed may also occur in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

See also: chlorthalidone side effects (in more detail)

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More chlorthalidone resources

• Chlorthalidone Side Effects (in more detail)
• Chlorthalidone Dosage
• Chlorthalidone Use in Pregnancy & Breastfeeding
• Drug Images
• Chlorthalidone Drug Interactions
• Chlorthalidone Support Group
• 1 Review for Chlorthalidone - Add your own review/rating

• chlorthalidone Concise Consumer Information (Cerner Multum)


• Chlorthalidone Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Chlorthalidone Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Chlorthalidone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Chlorthalidone MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Thalitone Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare chlorthalidone with other medications

• Edema
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