Pronunciation:

klor-oh-THYE-a-zide

Brand Names:

• Diuril Sodium
• Sodium Diuril

Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Classifications:

Therapeutic—

Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic—

Diuretic

Chemical—

Thiazide

Uses of This Medicine:

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

Chlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. It reduces the amount of water in the body by increasing the flow of urine, which helps reduce fluid retention (edema).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Before Using This Medicine:

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 this medicine, the following should be considered:

Allergies—

Tell your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine 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.

Children—

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

Older adults—

Appropriate studies performed to date have not demonstrated geriatric-specific problems that would limit the usefulness of chlorothiazide in the elderly. However, elderly patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart problems, which may require an adjustment in the dose for patients receiving chlorothiazide.

Breast-feeding—

Studies suggest that this medication may alter milk production or composition. If an alternative to this medication is not prescribed, you should monitor the infant for side effects and adequate milk intake.

Other 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 receiving this medicine, 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 this medicine 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.

• Acarbose
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acetyldigoxin
• Albiglutide
• Albuterol
• Alogliptin
• Amphetamine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Aspirin
• Benzphetamine
• Bepridil
• Bromfenac
• Bromocriptine
• Bufexamac
• Buprenorphine
• Canagliflozin
• Celecoxib
• Chlorpropamide
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Codeine
• Dapagliflozin
• Deslanoside
• Desmopressin
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Dextroamphetamine
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Digitalis
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin
• Dipyrone
• Dofetilide
• Droxicam
• Dulaglutide
• Empagliflozin
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Exenatide
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Flecainide
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Formoterol
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Ibuprofen
• Indomethacin
• Insulin
• Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
• Insulin Bovine
• Insulin Degludec
• Insulin Detemir
• Insulin Glulisine
• Ketanserin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Linagliptin
• Liraglutide
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Lithium
• Lixisenatide
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Methamphetamine
• Metildigoxin
• Miglitol
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nateglinide
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Oliceridine
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Pioglitazone
• Piroxicam
• Porfimer
• Pramlintide
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Repaglinide
• Rofecoxib
• Rosiglitazone
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Saxagliptin
• Sitagliptin
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sufentanil
• Sulindac
• Tapentadol
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Tramadol
• Valdecoxib
• Vildagliptin
• Vonoprazan

Using this medicine 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.

• Aminolevulinic Acid
• Calcium
• Ginkgo
• Gossypol
• Licorice

Other interactions—

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 this medicine. 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
• Liver disease or
• Systemic lupus erythematosus—Use with caution. This medicine may make these conditions worse.

• Kidney 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 This Medicine:

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

Precautions While Using This Medicine:

Your doctor will only give you a few doses of this medicine until your condition improves, and then you will be switched to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

Side Effects of This Medicine:

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 or nurse immediately if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

Abdominal or stomach pain

back, leg, or stomach pains

black, tarry stools

bleeding gums

blisters on skin

blood in urine or stools

bloody or cloudy urine

blue lips and fingernails

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 that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum

coughing up blood

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 heartbeat

feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings

fever

flushed, dry skin

fruit-like breath odor

general feeling of discomfort or illness

general feeling of tiredness or weakness

headache

hives

increased blood pressure

increased hunger

increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight

increased sweating

increased thirst

increased urination

indigestion

itching

joint pain, stiffness, or swelling

loss of appetite

lower back or side pain

muscle cramps or pain

nausea

nosebleeds

numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet

pain in joints or muscles

painful or difficult urination

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

redness or other discoloration of skin

redness, soreness, or itching skin

seizures

sensation of spinning

severe sunburn

shortness of breath

skin rash

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

sores, welting, or blisters

sugar in the urine

sweating

swelling in legs and ankles

swelling of face, fingers, or lower legs

swollen or painful glands

tenderness of salivary glands

thickening of bronchial secretions

tightness in chest

trembling

troubled breathing

unexplained weight loss

unpleasant breath odor

unusual bleeding or bruising

unusual tiredness or weakness

unusual weight loss

vomiting of blood

weight gain

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

Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin

cracks in the skin

cramping

decreased interest in sexual intercourse

difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)

hair loss, thinning of hair

inability to have or keep an erection

loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance

loss of heat from the body

muscle spasm

pinpoint red or purple spots on skin

red, irritated eyes

red, swollen skin

restlessness

scaly skin

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.