Chlorothiazide (Diuril) –
What You Need To Know

Brand Name: Diuril

What is Chlorothiazide (Diuril)?

The Information about Chlorothiazide (Diuril) contained herein is a compilation of materials available from drugs.com and simplified for the average consumer.

Chlorothiazide saltChlorothiazide also known by the brand name Diuril is a diuretic that helps rid your body of salt (sodium) and water. Chlorothiazide (Diuril) works by making your kidneys put more sodium into your urine. The sodium, in turn, takes water with it from your blood. That decreases the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels, which reduces pressure on the walls of your arteries.

There are drug free alternatives to lowering your blood pressure that may be effective for you. Read about them here.

Caution, losing too much sodium or other minerals (e.g., zinc, potassium and magnesium) in the urine can lead to serious new problems.

Chlorothiazide (Diuril) treats fluid retention (edema) in people with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, or kidney disorders, or edema caused by taking steroids or estrogen. This medication is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

How to use Chlorothiazide (Diuril):

  • Chlorthalidone taking pillUse Chlorothiazide (Diuril) as directed by your doctor. Check the label on the medicine for exact dosing instructions. Do not take in larger amounts or for longer than recommended by your doctor.
  • Take Chlorothiazide (Diuril) by mouth with food, preferably in the morning.
  • To be sure Chlorothiazide (Diuril) is helping your condition, your blood pressure will need to be checked on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.
  • Your blood and urine may need to be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.
  • Chlorothiazide (Diuril) can interfere with the results of a thyroid test. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using a thiazide diuretic.
  • Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.
  • If you miss a dose, take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and take the medicine at the next regularly scheduled time. Do not take extra medicine to make up the missed dose.

Ask your health care provider any questions you may have about how to use Chlorothiazide (Diuril).

What to know before using Chlorothiazide (Diuril):

If any of the following apply to you, discuss with your doctor before taking Chlorothiazide (Diuril):

  • allergic to sulfa drugsliver disease
  • have liver disease
  • kidney disease
  • asthma
  • allergies
  • gout
  • lupus
  • diabetes
  • allergic to sulfa drugs

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of Chlorothiazide (Diuril).

Do not take Chlorothiazide (Diuril) if you are pregnant or lactating.

Tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you light-headed (such as cold or allergy medicine, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to the side effects of Chlorothiazide (Diuril).

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise and in hot weather. Follow your doctor’s instructions about the type and amount of liquids you should drink. In some cases, drinking too much liquid can be as unsafe as not drinking enough.

Side effects of Chlorothiazide (Diuril):

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these allergic reactions:

  • hives
  • difficulty breathing
  • swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Stop using Chlorothiazide (Diuril) and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

  • nausea and vomiting with weaknessChlorothiazide vomiting
  • loss of appetite
  • headache
  • hallucinations
  • muscle pain
  • seizures
  • confusion
  • uneven heart rate
  • extreme thirst
  • leg discomfort
  • muscle weakness or limp feeling
  • urinating more or less than usual or not at all
  • easy bruising or bleeding
  • numbness or tingly feeling
  • fever, sore throat, and headache with a severe blistering, peeling, and red skin rash
  • jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

Less serious side effects may include:

  • constipation
  • diarrhea
  • stomach cramps
  • muscle spasm
  • loss of interest in sex
  • blurred vision.
  • dizziness, spinning sensation
  • Abdominal or stomach pain
  • back, leg, or stomach pains
  • black, tarry stools
  • bleeding gums
  • blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
  • bloating
  • blood in urine or stools
  • bloody urine
  • blue lips and fingernails
  • blurred vision
  • burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, “pins and needles”, or tingling feelings
  • chest pain
  • chills
  • clay-colored stools
  • cloudy urine
  • cold sweats
  • constipation
  • cough or hoarseness
  • coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
  • coughing up blood
  • cracks in the skin
  • darkened urine
  • decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
  • decreased frequency or amount of urine
  • diarrhea
  • difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
  • difficulty swallowing
  • dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
  • dry mouth
  • fast or irregular heartbeat
  • flushed, dry skin
  • fruit-like breath odor
  • general body swelling
  • general feeling of discomfort or illness
  • general feeling of tiredness or weakness
  • hives
  • unusual weight loss
  • vomiting of blood
  • weakness and heaviness of legs
  • weight gain
  • wheezing
  • troubled breathing
  • unpleasant breath odor
  • increased blood pressure
  • increased hunger
  • increased sweating
  • indigestion
  • itching
  • joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
  • loss of heat from the body
  • lower back or side pain
  • muscle cramps or pain
  • nosebleeds
  • numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
  • pain in joints or muscles
  • pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
  • pale skin
  • pinpoint red spots on skin
  • puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
  • red, irritated eyes
  • red skin lesions, often with a purple center
  • red, swollen skin
  • redness, soreness, or itching skin
  • scaly skin
  • shortness of breath
  • Cramping
  • decreased interest in sexual intercourse
  • difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
  • feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
  • hair loss, thinning of hair
  • inability to have or keep an erection
  • increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
  • loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
  • muscle spasm
  • pinpoint red or purple spots on skin
  • redness or other discoloration of skin
  • restlessness
  • sensation of spinning
  • severe sunburn
  • weakness
  • sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
  • sugar in the urine
  • swelling of face, fingers, legs, ankles, feet, or lower legs
  • swollen or painful glands
  • tenderness of salivary glands
  • thickening of bronchial secretions
  • tightness in chest
  • trembling
  • unusual tiredness or weakness

The information about Chlorothiazide comes from drugs.com

 

Chlorothiazide (Diuril) Natural Alternatives:

tikvawithdrinkIf you are taking Chlorothiazide (Diuril) or other diuretic medications, the various ingredients  in Tikva have been proven through either clinical trials or other research to lower your blood pressure naturally by dilating (widening) the arteries. Tikva does not act as a diuretic.

Several of the ingredients in Tikva can also increase circulation, dissolve plaque that is already in the arteries and reduce new plaque from forming. In addition, there are ingredients in Tikva to help reduce stress that often increases blood pressure without all of the side effects.
Read more about the natural ingredients in Tikva on our research and ingredients page, by clicking here.

watermellonVarious herbs, foods and beverages offer a natural diuretic effect; however, they should be used with caution, in the event of unknown medical conditions with fluid retention as a symptom, or due to side effects with other medications. Consult with your physician prior to using natural diuretics.

Cutting back on sodium and exercising more can also help reduce fluid buildup.

Eating more fruits and vegetables that act as diuretics, like watermelon, grapes, berries, celery, asparagus, onions, garlic, and bell peppers, may be another beneficial solution.

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The information provided on this page should not be used to decide whether or not to take Chlorothiazide (Diuril) or any other medicine. Consult your doctor to decide which medicines are right for you. This information does not endorse any medicine as safe, effective, or approved for treating any patient or health condition.

This information about Chlorothiazide (Diuril) is a brief summary and does NOT include all information about the possible uses, directions, warnings, precautions, interactions, adverse effects, or risks that may apply to Chlorothiazide (Diuril).

This information is not specific medical advice and does not replace information you receive from your health care provider. You must speak with your doctor for complete information about the risks and benefits of using Chlorothiazide (Diuril).