Hydrochlorothiazide for High Blood Pressure User Reviews (Page 3)

• Rob...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 27, 2015

"Prescribed HCTZ 25 mg a week ago today. This is my first experience with the drug. My BP was high and erratic, the drug is supposed to flush the excess salt from my system and help lower my BP. The first six days were fine, my BP was stabilizing and steadily decreasing. I didn't have a problem with excessive urination because I take the pill at night before bed. I also lost water weight (5 lbs. approx.). The adverse effects started today, day seven. I woke up feeling congested and dry in my right nostril and had a dry BM (which never happens). I am also lightheaded with mild nausea. This medication is not for me. I'll work more diligently on alternative ways to lower my BP."

• Anonymous
• July 22, 2011

"I have used hydrochlorothiazide 12.5 mg for about 2 months now. It has significantly lowered my blood pressure, but I have noticed the arches in my feet hurt, some leg pain, and dry mouth. I also feel I don't have the same ambition. I do not urinate any more frequently than usual. I do think it has affected my sex life though, lowering my sex drive. I take this along with a beta blocker called propranolol 20mg. I will have to get my potassium checked to see how it is doing though."

• mis...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• February 17, 2017

"I took HCTZ for 12 years for blood pressure, as well as 2 meds for diabetes. Recently, I stopped taking HCTZ and started experiencing problems with hypoglycemia. I found that HCTZ was causing my blood sugar to rise, making it necessary for the second diabetes med. When I stopped taking glipizide, the hypoglycemia no longer occurred. HCTZ was a wonderful med for my blood pressure, it helped bring it down to normal levels, but as I found out 2 months ago, I was taking a second med for diabetes that I should not have had to take. If you are not diabetic, it might be a good med for you, but if you are, please be careful with this med."

• Gor...
• July 4, 2016

"I have HBP as a side effect of cyclosporine and Myfortic used as anti-rejection meds for a liver transplant. I was first on amlodipine, and after two years of numbness/severe chills/exhaustion/extreme susceptibility to cold (I am Canadian) and stage 2 kidney failure, I suspected it and discontinued it on my own. The named side effects cleared within six months, but the HBP also reappeared. Enter hydrochlorothiazide --- after two years my kidney function is normal - BP fully controlled @115/75 and absolutely no downside effects other than peeing a lot = No Big Deal! Great med for me."

• SPr...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• December 6, 2021

Hydrochlorothiazide "In conjunction with Amlodipine, it worked well to lower my BP, which had been extremely high. However, after 1 year and a half, I began having dizzy spells. About a month after these started, I landed in the emergency room when my heart rate shot through the roof. While teaching, my heart suddenly began racing, and I thought I was about to blackout. I was rushed to the emergency room, where it was found that my potassium was so low, it was affecting my heart. I was immediately taken off hydrochlorothiazide and given potassium for a couple of days. Once off the drug, my arrhythmia attacks lessened and then completely stopped after about 2 months. If you are taking this drug, ensure your doctor is checking up on your potassium levels."

• mod...
• May 2, 2016

"I just started taking this medicine about a week ago. I'm 34 years old, healthy, active, and we believe my high blood pressure is attributed to genetics. I was adopted, so I am unsure whether or not I have a biological history of HBP. After a year of monitoring my BP, I finally decided that I needed to see the doc about it. He originally prescribed me Lisinopril, in which I became lightheaded and dizzy, so he switched me to HCTZ, starting off at 6.25 mg (dividing the 12.5 mg dosage). The day after I took my first dose, my BP had already gone down to normal levels. I was amazed. I really didn't experience anything else other than going to the bathroom more often, which isn't too inconvenient for me. But now I'm beginning to feel lazy."

• Boo...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 29, 2023

"I started taking this medicine after having high blood pressure for 9 months. The first pill made me nauseous and dizzy. I was told that my body would get used to it. Seven days later, I have pain in my stomach and right lower side, severely nauseous, dizzy like being drunk, and I am a Type 2 diabetic. My blood sugar spiked 65%! I took my last pill on a Sunday, telehealth visit with the doctor on Monday, and was taken off this medication. It took me until Friday and 2 Imodium to get rid of the side effects."

• sup...
• February 20, 2016

"This med was added to enhance my present ACE inhibitor (Enalapril 20 mg/2x daily) to reduce my BP. Recently, I became extremely ill with a viral sinus infection, and ultimately my BP spiked because of fighting this wicked infection. The physician thought it may be prudent to lower the BP, so HCTZ was added to the regimen of treatment at 25 mg per day. I've been on it for 3 weeks. BP is normal, but it was normal before the infection on Enalapril. I am in good health, eat right, and exercise. I can't believe the side effects: extreme fatigue, nausea, gastric pains, muscle pains, weakness, anxiety, and on and on. I contacted the physician today, and she immediately removed me from the med. Be careful and be watchful if this med!!"

• Kim...
• July 6, 2009

"I am 21 years old and I have high blood pressure. I was on hydrochlorothiazide for approximately 2 weeks when one night, about 3 hours after I took it, I had an allergic reaction. My hands, face, lips, and feet swelled up. I was itching and had difficulty breathing. My mom rushed me to the ER. If you have ANY of the previous symptoms, please go to the ER as soon as possible."

• Anonymous
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• April 6, 2023

"I was taking hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg, amlodipine 10 mg, and telmisartan 80 mg for 3 years without any noticeable side effects other than a slight decrease in serial urge. I recently did a blood work, and my potassium level was dangerously low at 1.3. I was immediately admitted to the hospital for 2 days, and I was taken off this hydrochlorothiazide. Please do blood tests regularly if you are on 25 mg of this drug."

• MeI...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• March 27, 2023

"I am a 62-year-old woman who had been taking Losartan for 7 years to manage my blood pressure, but it only brought it down to 134/90. I noticed fluid accumulation near my ankles, and my doctor switched me to HCTZ 25 mg in June 2022. Within weeks, my blood pressure decreased to a consistent 116/65, and I lost 8 pounds. However, in January 2023, my blood pressure started to increase to 134/92 and continued to climb until I ended up in the ER on March 23, 2023, with a blood pressure of 193/116, feeling chest pressure, dizziness, and a racing heart. The ambulance personnel and ER staff were unable to determine the cause, but they discovered that my potassium and magnesium levels were critically low and treated me accordingly. My regular doctor advised me to stop taking HCTZ immediately, and I have been feeling better for the past 5 days. However, I found HCTZ to be a powerful medication."

• Lac...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• August 9, 2016

"I started taking this medicine 4 days ago. On day 3, the cramps started so badly that I couldn't do anything without my hands involuntarily becoming fists, sometimes both of them, to the point of my husband having to help me pry them apart. I also had dizziness, nausea, muscle pain, among others. None of which I had on the Benazapril. I talked to my doctor yesterday, and he switched me to something different. I'm hoping it helps!"

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2011

"I have taken hydrochlorothiazide for a number of years and felt that it helped lower my BP, but recently began feeling more fatigued, so my doctor raised my dose to 50 mg. I have had severe rashes and edema ever since. She is now running tests to see if I have developed lupus. I had just 3 months ago been diagnosed with fibromyalgia. I am in severe pain, have large rashes on both legs that itch ALL the time, and my feet and legs are so swollen that I can hardly walk, especially in the morning and late evening. She took me off HCTZ 5 days ago until the results of the tests come back. I am also taking 240 mg of Diltiazem HCl and 20 mg of Altace. I need help and answers fast. I have never been so sick."

• Mar...
• October 26, 2015

"I only took one-half a pill, had a terrible reaction, severe nerve pain in both forearms, weakness all over, went to the ER in the hospital for 3 days. Now I have loss of sensation in my skin on my left side and sciatic nerve pain, plus burning all the way down my leg and foot on my left side. I have had MRIs, pain blocks, CT scans, been to orthopedic, neurosurgeons, neurologists, etc., with no relief. I am in pain every day of my life thanks to this medicine. I could walk 3 miles 1 year ago, and now I cannot walk one block without extreme pain!"

• ban...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• December 17, 2017

"I was prescribed this drug (25 mg) daily because I've had recurrent calcium kidney stones for 20 yrs., and BP was very high for me. I am 57, of normal weight, no other medical conditions other than moderately high cholesterol, which I take simvastatin to control. Within a few hours of taking the first dose, I felt like I was going to jump out of my skin. My heart was racing. Resting pulse rate was 115-120. My jumped up to 156/86. My bp before this used to be 120/78. But the day I went to dr., it was 145/83. My resting pulse 93. I think my problem may be more tachycardia and anxiety, and this med ramped it up. Took over 24 hrs. to get out of my system and had bloating in abdomen. Will never take it again...."

• Lum...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• January 23, 2016

"Works with my lisinopril to lower my high blood pressure. Really bad dry mouth and throat the first week. Also, I pee all the time. My tummy has gotten smaller, and I fit into pants I could never wear."

• Joe...
• Taken for 2 to 5 years
• September 3, 2024

"I'm just here to say that although hydrochlorothiazide has worked to get rid of some of my fluid, it matters which manufacturer you get it from! I got switched to Heritage Pharma and Avet Pharma, which are the same company. I had a very strong urge to urinate and thought I actually had a UTI. I went back to my regular manufacturer and bam, that urge is gone. Don't let doctors make you think you're just being crazy. You know your body. Tell them what manufacturer you prefer. They can tell the pharmacy what you want. Each brand uses different ingredients that you may be more sensitive to."

• gor...
• April 11, 2015

"I hate this drug. My Dr. put me on 25 mg per day. It makes me lightheaded, run to the toilet every hour, constipated, and causes leg cramps. I don't know why he added a new drug instead of just upping the dose of Losartan."

• Ema...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• March 24, 2016

"This medication causes me to sweat profusely. It was so bad water was dripping off my hair and I was sweating all over my body. The sweating makes me miserable, and I believe dehydrated. When I tell the doctor, they just ignore me. It does not cause me to go to the bathroom more often, but I'm probably sweating it off. I was taking 25 mg. I also have type 2 diabetes. I saw diabetics shouldn't take this. I had taken it for years before I was sweating then too."

• Mim...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• July 19, 2021

"My doctor prescribed this medication for my high blood pressure, even though I have had a tendency for years to have low sodium. Five days after starting the med, I had a medical emergency due to critically low sodium and potassium and was hospitalized for 4 days to try and bring my levels back up. My doctor has since added this medication to my list of drugs I can’t take. The hospital doctor tried to convince me that my doctor did not make a mistake by prescribing this for me, but common sense tells me if a patient already has low sodium, don’t prescribe a drug that could potentially lower it even more. My doctor has said more than once that she has never had a patient react so severely to hydrochlorothiazide. I am living proof that it can and does happen."

• Ano...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• March 4, 2016

"I have been taking 50 mg of Metoprolol Succ for 5 years, and my blood pressure recently became very variable. At times, it was very well controlled, but then it would spike. My cardiologist added 25 mg hydrochlorothiazide daily. I'd taken it years ago, and it caused my sodium to go quite low-122. The doctor that prescribed it stopped. This doctor convinced me to try it again, and she would check my sodium and potassium. I took it for three days and developed several side effects, including dizziness, vision changes, mild chest pain, severe constipation, and both upper and lower abdominal pains. The doctor said to stop it. I checked my diary, and sure enough, I'd been having severe constipation and abdominal pain the last time I took it."

• Ter...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• May 20, 2016

"I had been having issues with my blood pressure and edema, so my doctor started me on this medication. I took it for about three months and went to a regular appointment for lab work. My potassium level was 1.6. I spent 4 days in the VA hospital and was taken off this medication and started on spironolactone. Also added potassium tablets too. This one is a potassium-wasting diuretic. I rated it an 8, even though it didn't work well for me. It did do the job, but the side effects were dangerous for me. Many people have no problem with them."

• ari...
• June 28, 2011

"I was given hydrochlorothiazide in combination with a beta blocker for high blood pressure. Sadly, this diuretic did not succeed in lowering my blood pressure. The label says to take it no less than four hours before bed to avoid getting up in the night; however, I found myself getting up in the night even if I took the pill at 7 in the morning. During the day, however, there was not a major delta in urinary frequency or amount. The diuretic actually made me sweat more. Somehow, this medication also cleared up my acne. My dermatologist confirmed that this is medically possible."

• d21...
• April 15, 2014

"I'm in my 60s - 5'6 - 128 lbs - have been taking HCTZ for a few years. It worked fairly well, but the last few times I've had my blood pressure checked, it has been high - 158/106. Taking 25 mg. No problems with excessive urination or other side effects (thinning hair??). Might need another medication."

• Ran...
• January 24, 2018

"I have taken 25 mg for years with no issues. My doctor recently raised it to 50 mg when my BP started creeping up. Immediately, I had issues with headache, extreme dry sinuses, dry eyes, pain in my face and teeth. Also, occasional skipped heartbeats. I have contacted my doctor and am awaiting a response, but I won't continue this dosage."