What is Hydrochlorothiazide used for?

Hydrochlorothiazide is a prescription diuretic medication that lowers blood pressure in patients with high blood pressure. It can be used alone or in combination with other blood pressure medications. Hydrochlorothiazide is also used to treat edema (fluid retention) caused by conditions such as: 

• Congestive heart failure
• Hepatic cirrhosis
• Kidney diseases such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure
• Corticosteroid and estrogen therapy

Hydrochlorothiazide is also used to treat patients with diabetes insipidus and kidney stones. There may be other uses of this medicine — your healthcare professional or pharmacist can provide medical advice and give you more hydrochlorothiazide drug information.

Hydrochlorothiazide Mechanism of Action

Hydrochlorothiazide acts on the distal convoluted tubule in the kidneys and helps the body eliminate excess water and salt in the urine. It lowers blood pressure by increasing renal clearance of fluid and salt and decreasing plasma (blood) volume.

What is the dosage of Hydrochlorothiazide?

Hydrochlorothiazide is available as 12.5 mg, 25 mg, and 50 mg tablets and 12.5 mg capsules. 

High Blood Pressure
The usual dose of hydrochlorothiazide to control hypertension (high blood pressure) is 25 mg daily, given as a single dose. It can be increased to 50 mg daily in a single dose or two divided doses. 

Edema
For edema, the usual dose is 25 mg to 100 mg daily as a single dose or in divided doses. Doctors sometimes prescribe hydrochlorothiazide on alternate days or 3-5 days a week to treat edema. 

The dose of hydrochlorothiazide in infants and children is based on body weight.