A Little About Thiazide Diuretics

As part of your drug regimen you may be taking one of these:

• bendroflumethiazide
• benzthiazide
• chlorothiazide
• hydrochlorothiazide
• hydroflumethiazide
• trichlormethiazide

Thiazide diuretics are used in the long-term treatment of hypertension as an adjunct to other antihypertensive medications. By themselves, they provide only a limited reduction in blood pressure - but they help decrease the fluid retention caused by other BP-lowering drugs.

Keep these things in mind if you're using a thiazide diuretic:

• It may induce hypokalemia (low potassium) and hyponatremia (low sodium) so levels of these minerals should be monitored.
• It may increase blood glucose levels, so if you're diabetic you should watch your blood sugar levels more closely.
• It can appear in breast milk, so check with your physician or pharmacist if you're breastfeeding.