hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic (water pill) used primarily to treat hypertension (high blood pressure) and edema (fluid retention) associated with conditions such as congestive heart failure, liver cirrhosis, kidney disorders including nephrotic syndrome and glomerulonephritis. It works by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney via blockade of the sodium-chloride symporter. This action increases excretion of sodium and water in urine while reducing fluid volume in tissues and blood vessels. The drug was first approved by the FDA in 1959 and is widely prescribed both alone and as part of fixed-dose combination products with other antihypertensive agents.

Brand names

HydroDIURILEsidrixMicrozideApo-HydroAquazideBPZideDichlotrideEsidrexHydrochlorotHydroSaluricHypothiazidOretic

Other names

HCTZ