Chlorothiazide
/api/v1/drug/chlorothiazideMechanism of action
Sourced from openFDAMechanism-of-action class: Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors.
Indications
Sourced from openFDA- Chlorothiazide sodium for injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. Chlorothiazide sodium for injection has also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure.ICD-10: I50.9, R60.9
Contraindications
Sourced from openFDA- Anuria. Hypersensitivity to any component of this product or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.contraindicated
Dosage & administration
Sourced from openFDAChlorothiazide sodium for injection should be reserved for patients unable to take oral medication or for emergency situations. Therapy should be individualized according to patient response. Use the smallest dosage necessary to achieve the required response. Intravenous use in infants and children has been limited and is not generally recommended. When medication can be taken orally, therapy with chlorothiazide tablets or oral suspension may be substituted for intravenous therapy, using the same dosage schedule as for the parenteral route. Chlorothiazide sodium for injection may be given slowly by direct intravenous injection or by intravenous infusion. Extravasation must be rigidly avoided. Do not give subcutaneously or intramuscularly. The usual adult dosage is 500 mg to 1 g once or twice a day. Many patients with edema respond to intermittent therapy, i.e., administration on alternate days or on three to five days each week. With an intermittent schedule, excessive response and the resulting undesirable electrolyte imbalance are less likely to occur. Directions for Reconstitution Use aseptic technique. Because chlorothiazide sodium for injection contains no preservative, a fresh solution should be prepared immediately prior to each administration, and the unused portion should be discarded. Add 18 mL of Sterile Water for Injection to the vial to form an isotonic solution for intravenous injection. Never add less than 18 mL. When reconstituted with 18 mL of Sterile Water, the final concentration of intravenous chlorothiazide sodium is 28 mg/mL.
Warnings & precautions
Sourced from openFDAIntravenous use in infants and children has been limited and is not generally recommended. Use with caution in severe renal disease. In patients with renal disease, thiazides may precipitate azotemia. Cumulative effects of the drug may develop in patients with impaired renal function. Thiazides should be used with caution in patients with impaired hepatic function or progressive liver disease, since minor alterations of fluid and electrolyte balance may precipitate hepatic coma. Thiazides may add to or potentiate the action of other antihypertensive drugs. Sensitivity reactions may occur in patients with or without a history of allergy or bronchial asthma. The possibility of exacerbation or activation of systemic lupus erythematosus has been reported. Lithium generally should not be given with diuretics (see PRECAUTIONS, Drug Interactions ).
Adverse reactions
Sourced from openFDAThe following adverse reactions have been reported and, within each category, are listed in order of decreasing severity. Body as a Whole: Weakness. Cardiovascular: Hypotension including orthostatic hypotension (may be aggravated by alcohol, barbiturates, narcotics or antihypertensive drugs). Digestive: Pancreatitis, jaundice (intrahepatic cholestatic jaundice), diarrhea, vomiting, sialadenitis, cramping, constipation, gastric irritation, nausea, anorexia. Hematologic: Aplastic anemia, agranulocytosis, leukopenia, hemolytic anemia, thrombocytopenia. Hypersensitivity: Anaphylactic reactions, necrotizing angiitis (vasculitis and cutaneous vasculitis), respiratory distress including pneumonitis and pulmonary edema, photosensitivity, fever, urticaria, rash, purpura. Metabolic: Electrolyte imbalance (see PRECAUTIONS ), hyperglycemia, glycosuria, hyperuricemia. Musculoskeletal: Muscle spasm. Nervous System/Psychiatric: Vertigo, paresthesias, dizziness, headache, restlessness. Skin: Erythema multiforme including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis including toxic epidermal necrolysis, alopecia. Special Senses: Transient blurred vision, xanthopsia. Renal: Renal failure, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis, (see WARNINGS ); hematuria (following intravenous use). Urogenital: Impotence. Whenever adverse reactions are moderate or severe, thiazide dosage should be reduced or therapy withdrawn.
Use in specific populations
Sourced from openFDAPregnancy Teratogenic Effects Pregnancy Category C: Although reproduction studies performed with chlorothiazide doses of 50 mg/kg/day in rabbits, 60 mg/kg/day in rats and 500 mg/kg/day in mice revealed no external abnormalities of the fetus or impairment of growth and survival of the fetus due to chlorothiazide, such studies did not include complete examinations for visceral and skeletal abnormalities. It is not known whether chlorothiazide can cause fetal harm when administered to a pregnant woman; however, thiazides cross the placental barrier and appear in cord blood. Chlorothiazide should be used during pregnancy only if clearly needed (see INDICATIONS AND USAGE ). Nonteratogenic Effects: Chlorothiazide may cause fetal or neonatal jaundice, thrombocytopenia, and possibly other adverse reactions which have occurred in the adult.
Overdosage
Sourced from openFDAThe most common signs and symptoms observed are those caused by electrolyte depletion (hypokalemia, hypochloremia, hyponatremia) and dehydration resulting from excessive diuresis. If digitalis has also been administered, hypokalemia may accentuate cardiac arrhythmias. In the event of overdosage, symptomatic and supportive measures should be employed. Correct dehydration, electrolyte imbalance, hepatic coma and hypotension by established procedures. If required, give oxygen or artificial respiration for respiratory impairment. The degree to which chlorothiazide sodium is removed by hemodialysis has not been established. The intravenous LD 50 of chlorothiazide in the mouse is 1.1 g/kg.
Approval history
Sourced from openFDA- Oct 6, 1961NDANDA011870Salix Pharms
- Oct 16, 2009ANDAANDA090896Fresenius Kabi Usa
- Jul 26, 2011ANDAANDA091546Sun Pharm
- Apr 22, 2013ANDAANDA202561Am Regent
- May 29, 2015ANDAANDA202462Sagent Pharms Inc
- Oct 3, 2024ANDAANDA218630Gland
FDA shortages
Reference statistics from the openFDA drug-shortage dataset. For a live view, consult the FDA database directly. Not clinical guidance.
- Diuril, Oral Suspension, 250 mg/5mL (NDC 65649-311-12)To be discontinuedSponsor: Salix Pharmaceuticals, a division of Bausch Health US, LLCUpdated
FAERS reports
- 1Off Label Use836.5%
- 2Dyspnoea816.4%
- 3Pyrexia776.1%
- 4Diarrhoea725.7%
- 5Hypotension715.6%
- 6Drug Ineffective655.1%
- 7Pneumonia645.0%
- 8Respiratory Failure635.0%
- 9Pain594.7%
- 10Vomiting564.4%
- 11Death514.0%
- 12Cough473.7%
- 13Headache473.7%
- 14Renal Failure453.5%
- 15Condition Aggravated423.3%
Literature
Recent PubMed references pinned to Chlorothiazide as a MeSH major topic. Citations link to pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov.
- Risk of skin cancer from hydrochlorothiazide and other diuretics across races: A global cohort study.Environmental toxicology and pharmacology · 2026 · Lee CN, Shao SC, Yang CC, et al.PMID 42167389DOI 10.1016/j.etap.2026.105043
- The urine metabolomic signature of distal diuretics and diuretic-induced hyponatremia in patients with chronic kidney disease.American journal of physiology. Renal physiology · 2026 · Rudolphi CF, Musterd-Bhaggoe U, Ruijter GJG, et al.PMID 41962959DOI 10.1152/ajprenal.00431.2025
- Single-Pill Combination Olmesartan/Amlodipine/Hydrochlorothiazide Safety and Effectiveness in Older Patients with Hypertension: Pooled Analysis of Post-Approval Observational Studies.Advances in therapy · 2026 · Kim HJ, Kim HM, Kim DH, et al.PMID 41915114DOI 10.1007/s12325-026-03573-9
- Pharmacogenetics of RAS-affecting AGT and ACE variants and the efficacy of Valsartan/HCTZ therapy.Scientific reports · 2026 · Baig A, Shah SMM, Alfaiz AS, et al.PMID 41794841DOI 10.1038/s41598-026-42902-4
- 24-month single-pill, triple antihypertensive therapy in rural Rwanda.Blood pressure · 2026 · Hunjan I, Stroppa C, Umulisa A, et al.PMID 41738761DOI 10.1080/08037051.2026.2635838
- Solubility of Incongruently Melting Active Pharmaceutical Ingredient Cocrystals: The Hydrochlorothiazide-Nicotinamide System.Molecular pharmaceutics · 2026 · Nasrallah S, Gavali T, Yavuz I, et al.PMID 41664448DOI 10.1021/acs.molpharmaceut.5c01520
- Efficacy & safety of chlorthalidone vs. hydrochlorothiazide in hypertension: A systematic review & meta-analysis.The Indian journal of medical research · 2025 · Aggarwal P, Oza RR, Solanki H, et al.PMID 41648959DOI 10.25259/IJMR_1553_2025
- Spectroscopic methods for the simultaneous determination of amlodipine besylate and Hydrochlorothiazide in their binary mixture and pharmaceutical dosage form.Scientific reports · 2026 · Badrawy M, El-Abassy OM, Nour IM, et al.PMID 41629378DOI 10.1038/s41598-025-33191-4
Clinical trials
The 10 most recently updated of 355 ClinicalTrials.gov registrations naming Chlorothiazide as an intervention. Registration is not evidence of efficacy or safety — reference crosswalk only.
- TACTIC-HF: Sequential Diuretic Strategies in Ambulatory Worsening Heart FailureNot yet recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Lucrecia Maria BurgosNCT07593612updated 2026-05-18
- Indapamide and Chlorthalidone to Reduce Urine Supersaturation for Kidney Stone PreventionRecruiting · Phase 2 · Interventional · 99 enrolled · Insel Gruppe AG, University Hospital BernNCT06111885updated 2026-05-06
- Impact of Medically Supervised Performance-Enhancing Substances (PES) on Elite AthletesEnrolling by invitation · Interventional · 60 enrolled · Enhanced Emirates LimitedNCT07568574updated 2026-05-06
- Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Commonly Used Drugs in Lactating Women and Breastfed InfantsRecruiting · Observational · 1,600 enrolled · Duke UniversityNCT03511118updated 2026-04-24
- Effectiveness of Valsartan Alone vs Combination Therapy in Hypertensive Heart DiseaseCompleted · Phase 1 · Interventional · 118 enrolled · Shaikh Zayed Hospital, LahoreNCT07544888updated 2026-04-22
- Pharmacokinetics, Pharmacodynamics, and Safety Profile of Understudied Drugs Administered to Children Per Standard of Care (POPS)Recruiting · Observational · 5,000 enrolled · Duke UniversityNCT04278404updated 2026-04-06
- POcus INTERvention for Tailoring Diuretic Strategy in Acute Decompensated Heart FailureNot yet recruiting · Phase 2 · Phase 3 · Interventional · 128 enrolled · Hospital de Clinicas de Porto AlegreNCT07469722updated 2026-03-18
- Triple Antihypertensive Medication After Intracerebral Hemorrhage for Blood Pressure ControlRecruiting · Interventional · 140 enrolled · The University of Hong KongNCT07458880updated 2026-03-09
- HYDROchlorothiazide to PROTECT Polycystic Kidney Disease Patients and Improve Their Quality of LifeRecruiting · Phase 3 · Interventional · 300 enrolled · University Medical Center GroningenNCT05373264updated 2026-02-25
- Study to Evaluate the Efficacy and Safety of TEL/AML/CTD in Elderly Patients With Essential HypertensionActive not recruiting · Phase 4 · Interventional · 198 enrolled · Yuhan CorporationNCT06041529updated 2026-02-13
Frequently asked questions
- How does Chlorothiazide work?
- Mechanism-of-action class: Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors.
- What is Chlorothiazide used for?
- According to FDA labeling, Chlorothiazide carries indications including: Chlorothiazide sodium for injection is indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. Chlorothiazide sodium for injection has also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure.. This is a reference summary of labeled uses, not medical advice or a treatment recommendation.
- What class of drug is Chlorothiazide?
- Chlorothiazide is classified as Thiazides, plain, Thiazide Diuretic, Sodium Chloride Symporter Inhibitors, Decreased Blood Pressure, Decreased Intravascular Volume, Increased Distal Tubule Cl- Excretion, Increased Distal Tubule H+ Excretion, Increased Distal Tubule HCO3- Excretion, Increased Distal Tubule K+ Excretion, Increased Distal Tubule Na+ Excretion, Increased Diuresis.
- What are the brand names for Chlorothiazide?
- Chlorothiazide is marketed under brand names including Diuril.
- What are the contraindications for Chlorothiazide?
- Chlorothiazide labeling lists contraindications including: Anuria. Hypersensitivity to any component of this product or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.. Always consult the full prescribing information and a clinician.
chlorothiazide is illustrative MVP content compiled from public sources. pharmacopeia is for educational and informational use only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice.