Generic name: chlorthalidone [ klor-THAL-i-done ]
Brand names: Hygroton, Thalitone
Dosage form: oral tablet (25 mg; 50 mg)
Drug class: Thiazide diuretics

Medically reviewed by Drugs.com on Oct 1, 2024. Written by Cerner Multum.

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.

Chlorthalidone is also used to treat high blood pressure (hypertension).

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

Chlorthalidone side effects

Get emergency medical help if you have signs of an allergic reaction: hives; difficult breathing; swelling of your face, lips, tongue, or throat.

Chlorthalidone may cause serious side effects. Call your doctor at once if you have:

• a light-headed feeling, like you might pass out;

• low sodium--headache, confusion, slurred speech, severe weakness, vomiting, loss of coordination, feeling unsteady;

• low potassium--leg cramps, constipation, irregular heartbeats, fluttering in your chest, increased thirst or urination, numbness or tingling, muscle weakness or limp feeling;

• low magnesium--dizziness, irregular heartbeats, feeling jittery, muscle cramps, muscle spasms, cough or choking feeling; or

• kidney problems--little or no urination, swelling in your feet or ankles, feeling tired or short of breath.

Common side effects of chlorthalidone may include:

• low blood pressure (feeling light-headed);

• kidney problems;

• dizziness; or

• an electrolyte imbalance (such as low levels of potassium, sodium, or magnesium in your blood).

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.

Warnings

You should not use chlorthalidone if you are unable to urinate, or if you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Before taking this medicine

You should not use chlorthalidone if you are allergic to it, or if:

• you are unable to urinate; or

• you are allergic to sulfa drugs.

Tell your doctor if you have ever had:

• kidney disease;

• heart failure;

• gout;

• high cholesterol or triglycerides;

• diabetes; or

• if you are on a low-salt diet.

Tell your doctor if you are pregnant or plan to become pregnant. Taking chlorthalidone during pregnancy may cause side effects in the newborn baby, such as jaundice (yellowing of the skin or eyes), bruising or bleeding, low blood sugar, or an electrolyte imbalance.

Do not start or stop taking chlorthalidone during pregnancy without your doctor's advice. Although chlorthalidone may cause side effects in a newborn, having high blood pressure during pregnancy can cause complications such as diabetes or eclampsia (dangerously high blood pressure that can lead to medical problems in both mother and baby). The benefit of treating hypertension may outweigh any risks to the baby.

You should not breastfeed while using chlorthalidone.

How should I take chlorthalidone?

Follow all directions on your prescription label and read all medication guides or instruction sheets. Your doctor may occasionally change your dose. Use the medicine exactly as directed.

Call your doctor if you are sick with vomiting or diarrhea, or if you are sweating more than usual. You can easily become dehydrated while taking chlorthalidone. This can lead to very low blood pressure, a serious electrolyte imbalance, or kidney failure.

Your blood pressure will need to be checked often. Your blood and urine may both be tested if you have been vomiting or are dehydrated.

chlorthalidone can affect the results of certain medical tests. Tell any doctor who treats you that you are using chlorthalidone.

If you need surgery, tell your surgeon you currently use this medicine.

If you have high blood pressure, keep using this medicine even if you feel well. High blood pressure often has no symptoms. You may need to use blood pressure medicine for the rest of your life.

Store this medicine at room temperature away from moisture, heat, and light. Keep the bottle tightly closed when not in use.

Chlorthalidone dosing information

Usual Adult Dose for Hypertension:

-Initial dose: 25 mg orally once a day
-Titration: Increase to 50 mg orally once a day if response is inadequate; if response is still inadequate, increase to 100 mg orally once a day, or a second antihypertensive drug (step 2 therapy) may be added
-Maintenance dose: 25 to 100 mg orally once a day
-Maximum dose: 100 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-Doses should be taken in the morning with food.
-Maintenance doses may be lower than initial doses and should be adjusted according to individual patient response.
-Effectiveness is well sustained during continued use.

Use: Hypertension (alone or with another antihypertensive drug)

Usual Adult Dose for Edema:

-Initial dose: 50 to 100 mg orally once a day, or 100 mg orally every other day; some patients may require 150 to 200 mg orally at these intervals
-Maximum dose: 200 mg orally once a day

Comments:
-Doses should be taken in the morning with food.
-Maintenance doses may be lower than initial doses and should be adjusted according to individual patient response.
-Effectiveness is well sustained during continued use.

Use: For edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction, such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure

Related/similar drugs

amlodipine, lisinopril, metoprolol, losartan, furosemide, hydrochlorothiazide, spironolactone, Lasix, torsemide, bumetanide

What happens if I miss a dose?

Take the medicine as soon as you can, but skip the missed dose if it is almost time for your next dose. Do not take two doses at one time.

What happens if I overdose?

Seek emergency medical attention or call the Poison Help line at 1-800-222-1222.

Overdose symptoms may include nausea, weakness, dizziness, drowsiness, extreme thirst, muscle pain, or rapid heartbeats.

What should I avoid while taking chlorthalidone?

Drinking alcohol with chlorthalidone can cause side effects.

Avoid getting up too fast from a sitting or lying position, or you may feel dizzy.

Avoid becoming overheated or dehydrated during exercise, in hot weather, or by not drinking enough fluids. 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.

What other drugs will affect chlorthalidone?

Using chlorthalidone with other drugs that make you light-headed can worsen this effect. Ask your doctor before using opioid medication, a sleeping pill, a muscle relaxer, or medicine for anxiety or seizures.

Tell your doctor about all your other medicines, especially:

• other blood pressure medications;

• lithium;

• digoxin, digitalis;

• insulin or oral diabetes medicine; or

• steroid medicine.

This list is not complete. Other drugs may affect chlorthalidone, including prescription and over-the-counter medicines, vitamins, and herbal products. Not all possible drug interactions are listed here.

Popular FAQ

Further information

Remember, keep this and all other medicines out of the reach of children, never share your medicines with others, and use this medication only for the indication prescribed.

Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances.

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