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Thiazide Diuretics
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.