Hydrochlorothiazide and Swelling: What Users Say

• Kim...
• July 6, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "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
• October 9, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Anonymous
• October 9, 2011

For High Blood Pressure "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."

• Kah...
• January 15, 2010

For Edema "I had noticeable results within 24 hours. I had gained a lot of edema from Lyrica. This drug helped reverse that with little discomfort or side effects. I had an increased pulse at first and a little dizziness, but it went away quickly."

• Dan...
• Taken for 1 to 6 months
• July 31, 2019

For Edema "Doctor added 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) daily to the 80 mg furosemide I have been taking due to swelling and water retention caused by CHF. Seems to have helped some with leg swelling and breast tenderness plus BP has dropped to an average of 128/72."

• SBa...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• February 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "My doctor first prescribed amlodipine, which caused swelling in my ankles and feet, then prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. I peed a lot, but swelling noticeably went down by the next day. I had some leg cramps, not sure if it’s related to the meds. Overall, I think it’s helped a great deal!"

• mbm...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• August 25, 2015

For High Blood Pressure "HCTZ worked fine for me for 30 years. It kept my peripheral edema under control and worked synergistically with Lisinopril to keep my blood pressure low. But in May, my yearly blood tests showed a sodium level of 126. A repeat a few weeks later showed 124. By that time, I was having my grandson care for me. The doctor then stopped the HCTZ. I've recovered from the cerebral edema caused by the hyponatremia, and my sodium was up to 130 at the last check, but now I have hypertension and peripheral edema. I'm now on a 40 mg dose of Lisinopril with no improvement after 4 days."

• Bab...
• Taken for 5 to 10 years
• August 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken 25 mg of HCTZ once a day for 6 years. I now have cancer, and my oncologist recommends that I stop taking it. Within a day or two of the medication, my head and neck audibly pound with each heartbeat. 24/7... supine, prone, sidelying, reclined, or standing. I also develop light swelling around both ankles. I feel my body and organs have acclimated to the diuretic such that I shouldn't come off it. Anyone else have insights?"

• Hls...
• Taken for 1 to 2 years
• February 10, 2025

For Edema "In addition to having high blood pressure, I would have extreme swelling in my feet. So, my doctor gave me hydrochlorothiazide, and I swear within 24 to 48 hours, the extreme swelling in my feet was gone. But it makes you pee so much. It will drive you crazy, so I only take it when I don’t have to work or run any errands."

• Lyn...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• January 23, 2022

For High Blood Pressure "I took it for 11 days. I had a rash on my chest, and my eyes became puffy and sore. The rash might have been from the sun because this medication does make you sensitive to the sun. I had to put Triamcinolone Acetonide Cream on it to clear it up."

• kry...
• Taken for less than 1 month
• October 7, 2019

For Edema "Took 25 mg for two days. Swelling down some 30%. Extreme weakness and dizziness (86-year-old male). Awaiting callback from my MD."

• Anonymous
• August 7, 2008

For High Blood Pressure "Lowered my BP, swelling, and lost 11 lbs."

• Kit...
• August 15, 2016

For Edema "This drug isn't worth a nickel! It's made my swelling worse."

• Anonymous
• August 24, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I like this medicine. I was using hydrochlorothiazide for almost 10 years. My physician just recently changed me to Lisinopril, and it has caused swelling in both my ankles and feet."

• Anonymous
• September 2, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "This caused a lot of swelling in my ankles and feet."