chlorthalidone

Generic Name: chlorthalidone (klor THAL i done)

Brand names: Thalitone, Hygroton

What is chlorthalidone?

Chlorthalidone is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) that helps prevent your body from absorbing too much salt, which can cause fluid retention.

Chlorthalidone 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).

Chlorthalidone may also be used for other purposes not listed in this medication guide.

What is the most important information I should know about chlorthalidone?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorthalidone or if you are unable to urinate.

Before using this medication, tell your doctor if you are allergic to sulfa drugs, or if you have liver disease, kidney disease, asthma, allergies, gout, lupus, or diabetes.

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of chlorthalidone.

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.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

What should I discuss with my doctor before taking chlorthalidone?

Do not use this medication if you are allergic to chlorthalidone, or if you are unable to urinate.

If you have any of these conditions, you may need a dose adjustment or special tests to safely take this medication. Before using chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you have:

• kidney disease;


• liver disease;


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  asthma or allergies;

  
  


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  gout;

  
  


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  lupus;

  
  


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  diabetes; or

  
  


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  if you have an allergy to sulfa drugs.

  
  

FDA pregnancy category B. This medication is not expected to be harmful to an unborn baby. Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant during treatment. Chlorthalidone can pass into breast milk and may harm a nursing baby. Do not use this medication without telling your doctor if you are breast-feeding a baby.

How should I take chlorthalidone?

Take this medication exactly as it was prescribed for you. Do not take the medication in larger amounts, or take it for longer than recommended by your doctor. Follow the directions on your prescription label.

Your doctor may occasionally change your dose to make sure you get the best results from this medication.

To be sure this medication is not causing harmful effects, your blood will need to be tested on a regular basis. Do not miss any scheduled appointments.

Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.

If you are being treated for high blood pressure, keep using this medication even if you feel fine. High blood pressure often has no symptoms.

Store the tablets at room temperature away from heat, light, and moisture.

See also: Chlorthalidone dosage (in more detail)

What happens if I 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.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention if you think you have used too much of this medicine. Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, dizziness, dry mouth, thirst, and muscle pain or weakness.

What should I avoid while taking chlorthalidone?

Avoid drinking alcohol, which can increase some of the side effects of chlorthalidone. Avoid exposure to sunlight or artificial UV rays (sunlamps or tanning beds). Chlorthalidone can make your skin more sensitive to sunlight and sunburn may result. Use a sunscreen (minimum SPF 15) and wear protective clothing if you must be out in the sun.

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.

Chlorthalidone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have any of these signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficulty breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat. Stop using this medication and call your doctor at once if you have any of these serious side effects:

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  dry mouth, thirst, nausea, vomiting;

  
  


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  feeling weak, drowsy, restless, or light-headed;

  
  


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  fast or uneven heartbeat;

  
  


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  muscle pain or weakness;

  
  


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  urinating less than usual or not at all;

  
  


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  easy bruising or bleeding, unusual weakness;

  
  


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  red or purple spots on your skin;

  
  


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  numbness or tingly feeling; or

  
  


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  nausea, stomach pain, low fever, loss of appetite, dark urine, clay-colored stools, jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes).

  
  

Less serious side effects may include:

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  diarrhea;

  
  


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  constipation;

  
  


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  loss of appetite;

  
  


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  dizziness;

  
  


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  headache; or

  
  


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  muscle spasm.

  
  

This is not a complete list of side effects and others may occur. Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

Chlorthalidone Dosing Information

Usual Adult Dose for Edema:

Initial dose: 50-100 mg orally once a day.
Maintenance dose: 25-100 mg once a day or
50-200 mg every other day.

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day (15 mg for Thalitone).
Maintenance dose: 25-100 mg once a day (15-50 mg for Thalitone).

What other drugs will affect chlorthalidone?

Before using chlorthalidone, tell your doctor if you regularly use other medicines that make you sleepy (such as cold or allergy medicine, sedatives, narcotic pain medicine, sleeping pills, muscle relaxers, and medicine for seizures, depression, or anxiety). They can add to sleepiness caused by chlorthalidone.

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  lithium;

  
  


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  digoxin (Lanoxin);

  
  


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  steroids (prednisone and others);

  
  


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  other blood pressure medications; or

  
  


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  insulin or diabetes medicine taken by mouth.

  
  

This list is not complete and there may be other drugs that can interact with chlorthalidone. Tell your doctor about all the prescription and over-the-counter medications you use. This includes vitamins, minerals, herbal products, and drugs prescribed by other doctors. Do not start using a new medication without telling your doctor.

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 Advanced Consumer (Micromedex) - Includes Dosage Information


• Chlorthalidone Prescribing Information (FDA)


• Chlorthalidone Professional Patient Advice (Wolters Kluwer)


• Chlorthalidone Monograph (AHFS DI)


• Chlorthalidone MedFacts Consumer Leaflet (Wolters Kluwer)


• Thalitone Prescribing Information (FDA)

Compare chlorthalidone with other medications

• Edema
• High Blood Pressure

Where can I get more information?

• Your pharmacist can provide more information about chlorthalidone.

See also: chlorthalidone side effects (in more detail)