Chlorthalidone and Increased Heart Rate: What Users Say

• Nic...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Let me start off by saying this medication is HORRIBLE! Let me share my story. I’m a 27-year-old female. Diagnosed with hypertension. I’ve been on metoprolol for a few months, but since my blood pressure continued to rise, my doctor suggested trying chlorthalidone 25 mg to add to the mix. Within 2 days of taking this pill, I was in the ER. First symptom I noticed was my heart racing extremely fast (145 bpm) and my blood pressure spiked to about 179/110. I got really worried. I had never seen my BP that high. Usually, 145/95 is my usual. My muscles were weak in my legs, and I was feeling very fatigued. Turns out the hospital said I had low potassium and dehydration, the 2 symptoms this medication is known for. I even drank my normal 100 oz of water daily both days while taking this medication, and still was dehydrated. The hospital told me this medication is rarely given anymore for this reason. Please, if you're prescribed this, be careful!"

• Mic...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• April 28, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "My cardiologist prescribed this because I was having blood pressure spikes, mostly caused by stress. I only take half of a pill (12.5 mg) at night along with atenolol. It completely stabilized my BP, and I only go to the restroom once during the night. At first, it caused my heart to pound with an increase in pulse rate. Also, a little dizziness. After 2-3 weeks of this, those symptoms stopped, and now I don’t have any problems. Works great for me."

• Anonymous
• November 4, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "The doctor prescribed me this medication for my elevated blood pressure, mostly due to my anxiety. I only took the pill for 2 days before ending up in the hospital for an extreme heart rate. I stopped taking the pill but suffered with a fast heart rate for the next 2 days."

• Joh...
• September 3, 2016

For Edema "I am 57 with sporadic edema, and was given this drug because I asked for something less powerful than what I was taking. Two days later, I was in the emergency room, having difficulty breathing and a racing heart rate with almost no exertion. Symptoms went away a day after stopping the drug. Perhaps my physician misprescribed this, but it almost did me in. Awful reaction."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 3, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "While the medication seems to work, the side effects are unacceptable. My dose is 25 mg. It leaves me very lightheaded all day and with absolutely no energy at all. I spend most of the day in bed. My muscles become very fatigued with minimal exertion, and I develop rapid heartbeat and respirations."

• Jew...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 16, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "Been on this for 5 days, and my heart races very high just standing, and I am out of breath just standing at the kitchen sink. Heartbeat would jump up to 150 just standing. For the last 2 nights, when I get up to go pee, I feel my body being way off. Not like dizziness but falling. I almost fell in the tub last night. Now, today I can’t eat or it makes me really sick to my stomach."