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Hydrochlorothiazide is a chemical compound that is one of the basic ingredients of drugs that are used in the treatment of high blood pressure. This compound has a diuretic effect, which means that it belongs to the group of diuretics. How does hydrochlorothiazide work and what are the indications for taking drugs with this ingredient. Can the use of drugs with hydrochlorothiazide cause side effects?
Hydrochlorothiazide – composition and action
Hydrochlorothiazide is an organic chemical compound that belongs to the group of thiazides, which means that it has a diuretic effect. In medicine and pharmacology, it is used as a component of drugs used in the treatment of hypertension. Hydrochlorothiazide is characterized by a sulphonamide structure. The consequence of the action of this compound is a significant increase in the excretion of sodium, potassium, magnesium and the retention of calcium in the body. Uric acid excretion is also reduced, which can trigger gout in the long-term patient. As hydrochlorothiazide reduces the volume of extracellular fluids and directly affects blood vessels, this compound is the basis of many drugs for the treatment of hypertension.
Indications for the use of drugs with hydrochlorothiazide
Due to the specificity of the action of the compound, which is hydrochlorothiazide, the indications for the use of hydrochlorothiazide-based drugs are heart failure, edema, arterial hypertension, hypocalcemia, hypercalciuria and diabetes insipidus. Hydrochlorothiazide medications are also used in cirrhosis of the liver and kidney problems such as nephrotic syndrome or acute glomerulonephritis.
Hydrochlorothiazide – contraindications to use
Hypersensitivity to this compound and other sulfonamides is a contraindication to the use of drugs containing hydrochlorothiazide. The drug should not be used by people diagnosed with renal failure and severe liver disorders. The drug should also not be used by pregnant and breastfeeding women. Medicines with hydrochlorothiazide can be used in children up to two years of age only in special cases, on the express recommendation of the attending physician.
Side effects when taking drugs with hydrochlorothiazide
When drugs with hydrochlorothiazide are used, undesirable side effects may very often occur. The most common ones include: hypokalemia, hypovolemia and hyponatraemia. These disorders are related to the basic mechanism of action of the drug, based on the increased excretion of water, potassium and sodium from the body. Allergic reactions also occur with the use of hydrochlorothiazide. Other side effects such as somnolence and fatigue are very rare and are not usually included in the list of major side effects of hydrochlorothiazide. It is worth mentioning, however, that in 2017-2018, scientific studies were published that showed that long-term use of drugs with hydrochlorothiazide can seriously increase the risk of quite rare skin cancers. This is because hydrochlorothiazide has a photosensitizing effect, so people who use this medicine should expose their skin to the sun as little as possible.
Before use, read the leaflet, which contains indications, contraindications, data on side effects and dosage as well as information on the use of the medicinal product, or consult your doctor or pharmacist, as each drug used improperly is a threat to your life or health.