Classes
DEA Class; Rx
Common Brand Names; Diuril
- Diuretics, Thiazide
Description
Indications
Indicated for the treatment of hypertension.
Contraindications
Hypersensitivity to chlorothiazide or sulfonamides
Anuria
Adverse Effects
- Scaling eczema
- Stevens-Johnson syndrome
- Toxic epidermal necrolysis
- Disorder of hematopoietic structure
- Hepatotoxicity
- Systemic lupus erythematosus
- Hypotension
- Alopecia
- Photosensitivity
- Phototoxicity
- Rash
- Urticaria
- Hyperglycemia
- Hyperuricemia
- Constipation
- Diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Nausea and vomiting
- Electrolytes abnormal
- Spasticity
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Blurred vision
- Xanthopsia
- Impotence
Warnings
May aggravate digitalis toxicity
Sensitivity reactions may occur with or without history of allergy or asthma
Patients allergic to sulfa may show cross-sensitivity
May deleteriously alter lipid/glucose metabolism
Risk of male sexual dysfunction
Use with caution in severe renal disease. In patients with renal disease, thiazides may precipitate azotemia; cumulative effects of drug may develop in patients with impaired renal function.
Thiazides should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma
Thiazides may add to or potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs
Sensitivity reactions may occur in patients with or without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma; the possibility of exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported
Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics
Although any chloride deficit is generally mild and usually does not require specific treatment except under extraordinary circumstances (as in liver disease or renal disease), chloride replacement may be required in the treatment of metabolic alkalosis
Dilutional hyponatremia may occur in edematous patients in hot weather; appropriate therapy is water restriction, rather than administration of salt, except in rare instances when the hyponatremia is life-threatening; in actual salt depletion, appropriate replacement is therapy of choice
Hyperuricemia may occur or acute gout may be precipitated in certain patients receiving thiazides
In diabetic patients dosage adjustments of insulin or oral hypoglycemic agents may be required; hyperglycemia may occur with thiazide diuretics; latent diabetes mellitus may become manifest during thiazide therapy
The antihypertensive effects of drug may be enhanced in the post-sympathectomy patient
Pregnancy and Lactation
Pregnancy Category: C; D (expert analysis). Chlorothiazide may cause fetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia, and possibly other adverse reactions which have occurred in the adult. Use of diuretics for pregnancy-induced hypertension should be avoided due to risk of decreased placental perfusion.
Lactation: enters breast milk/not recommended (AAP states “compatible with nursing”)
Maximum Dosage
2,000 mg/day PO for hypertension; 1,000 mg/day PO or 2,000 mg/day IV for edema.
2,000 mg/day PO for hypertension; 1,000 mg/day PO or 2,000 mg/day IV for edema.
2,000 mg/day PO for hypertension or 1,000 mg/day PO for edema. Safety and efficacy of IV chlorothiazide have not been established; doses up to 20 mg/kg/day IV (Max: 2,000 mg/day IV) have been used off-label.
2 to 12 years: 20 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 1,000 mg/day) is recommended by FDA-approved labeling; however, up to 40 mg/kg/day has been used off-label. Safety and efficacy of IV chlorothiazide have not been established; doses up to 20 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label.
1 year: 20 mg/kg/day PO (Max: 375 mg/day) is recommended by FDA-approved labeling; however, up to 40 mg/kg/day has been used off-label. Safety and efficacy of IV chlorothiazide have not been established; doses up to 20 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label.
6 to 11 months: 20 mg/kg/day PO is recommended by FDA-approved labeling; however, up to 40 mg/kg/day PO has been used off-label. Safety and efficacy of IV formulation have not been established; doses up to 20 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label.
1 to 5 months: 30 mg/kg/day PO is recommended by FDA-approved labeling; however, up to 40 mg/kg/day PO has been used off-label. Safety and efficacy of IV formulation have not been established; doses up to 20 mg/kg/day IV have been used off-label.
30 mg/kg/day PO is recommended by FDA-approved labeling; up to 40 mg/kg/day PO has been used off-label for chronic lung disease. Safety and efficacy have not been established for IV formulation.
How supplied
Chlorothiazide
oral suspension
- 250mg/5mL
powder for injection
- 500mg
tablet
- 250mg
- 500mg