Hydrochlorothiazide

Hydrochlorothiazide is a drug used to treat high blood pressure.

It is a thiazide diuretic and exhibits the typical action of one. Its action is to deplete the body’s sodium stores. It also reduces the levels of chloride, bicarbonate, phosphate and magnesium. The drug also reduces the loss of calcium.

The drug inhibits cell’s reabsorption of NaCl. Thiazides are organic anions and bind to the site of the Cl^- on the sodium chloride transporter molecule preventing it from picking up NaCl.

Health Effects

The depletion of NaCl stores in the body reduces blood pressure and cardiac output. After a few weeks cardiac output returns to a normal level. Distal calcium reabsorption is also increased.

Problems

The drug causes a intolerance of carbohydrates and may can lead to hyperglycemia in diabetics. Thiazides increase levels of serum cholesterol. Increased thirst is also possible as the diluting capacity of the kidney is reduced. Allergic reactions are also possible.

Drug interactions

Hydrochlorothiazide’s depletion of calcium levels can increase the toxicity of digitalis.

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