{"id":53754,"date":"2022-09-16T23:57:54","date_gmt":"2022-09-17T03:57:54","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=53754"},"modified":"2025-09-12T16:17:36","modified_gmt":"2025-09-12T20:17:36","slug":"hydrochlorothiazide-alternatives","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hydrochlorothiazide-alternatives\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydrochlorothiazide alternatives: What can I take instead of hydrochlorothiazide?"},"content":{"rendered":"

Compare hydrochlorothiazide alternatives<\/a> | Zestril<\/a> | Diovan<\/a> | Norvasc<\/a> | Lasix<\/a> | Aldactone<\/a> |\u00a0Natural alternatives<\/a> | How to switch meds<\/a><\/span><\/p>\n

Whether you are taking <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span><\/a> to lower your blood pressure or lessen leg swelling, you probably recognize its important role in your health. Unfortunately, you may also be noticing some of the downsides to <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> therapy. Frequent urination, <\/span>electrolyte<\/span> imbalance, sun sensitivity, and muscle cramps are among the potential <\/span>adverse effects of hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>. A <\/span>side effect<\/span> or ineffectiveness are the most likely reasons for seeking an alternative, because the cost of this generic drug is usually quite low. You should know that there are plenty of other options that could avoid the same <\/span>side effects<\/span> and still be kind to your wallet.<\/span><\/p>\n

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What can I take in place of <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>?<\/span><\/h2>\n

Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>, better known as <\/span>HCTZ<\/span>, is a <\/span>thiazide diuretic<\/span><\/a> or <\/span>water pill<\/span><\/a>. It inhibits the reabsorption of sodium in the kidney, thereby allowing more sodium and water to be lost in the urine. The drug\u2019s effectiveness has led to two indications for use from the Food and Drug Administration (<\/span>FDA<\/span>). <\/span>HCTZ<\/span> can be taken for <\/span>hypertension<\/span><\/a> (<\/span>high blood pressure<\/span>) or peripheral <\/span>edema<\/span>, which is most commonly experienced as lower leg swelling. If you have a contraindication to its use or if you are experiencing an <\/span>adverse effect<\/span>, either medical condition can be treated with alternatives to <\/span>HCTZ<\/span>. A member of the loop or <\/span>potassium-sparing diuretic<\/span> classes could help with peripheral <\/span>edema<\/span>. Hypertension could be treated with a multitude of different classes of <\/span>antihypertensives<\/span>, including <\/span>diuretics<\/span>, <\/span>angiotensin-converting enzyme<\/span> (ACE) <\/span>inhibitors<\/span>, angiotensin <\/span>receptor blockers<\/span> (ARBs), <\/span>calcium channel blockers<\/span>, and <\/span>beta blockers<\/span>.<\/span><\/p>\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\n
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Compare hydrochlorothiazide alternatives<\/span><\/h2>\n<\/th>\n<\/tr>\n<\/thead>\n

Drug name<\/b><\/td>\nUses<\/b><\/td>\nDosage<\/b><\/td>\nCoupons<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> (<\/span>HCTZ<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, peripheral <\/span>edema<\/span> (swelling)<\/span><\/td>\n12.5 to 50 mg once daily (higher doses up to 200 mg may be used for <\/span>edema<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nGet <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zestril (<\/span>lisinopril<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, CHF with low EF, acute MI<\/span><\/td>\n2.5 to 40 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Zestril coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Vasotec (<\/span>enalapril<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, CHF with low EF, <\/span>systolic<\/span> dysfunction (reduced heart squeeze) without symptoms<\/span><\/td>\n2.5 to 20 mg once or twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Vasotec coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lotensin (benazepril)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension<\/span><\/td>\n5 to 40 mg once or twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Lotensin coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Zestoretic (combination <\/span>lisinopril<\/span>\/<\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension<\/span><\/td>\n10 mg\/12.5 mg, 20 mg\/12.5 mg, or 20 mg\/25 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Zestoretic coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cozaar (<\/span>losartan<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, diabetic nephropathy, stroke prevention<\/span><\/td>\n25 to 100 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Cozaar coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Diovan (<\/span>valsartan<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, CHF with low EF, left ventricular dysfunction (reduced heart squeeze) after MI<\/span><\/td>\n80 to 320 mg once daily (or divided into two doses)<\/span><\/td>\nGet Diovan coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Avapro (irbesartan)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, diabetic nephropathy<\/span><\/td>\n75 to 150 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Avapro coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Norvasc (<\/span>amlodipine<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, <\/span>coronary<\/span> artery disease (CAD)<\/span><\/td>\n2.5 to 10 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Norvasc coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lotrel (combination <\/span>amlodipine<\/span>\/benazepril)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension<\/span><\/td>\n2.5 mg\/10 mg, 5 mg\/10 mg, 5 mg\/20 mg, 5 mg\/40 mg, 10 mg\/20 mg, or 10 mg\/40 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Lotrel coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cardizem CD (diltiazem extended release)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, angina<\/span><\/td>\n120 to 480 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Cardizem CD coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Toprol XL (<\/span>metoprolol<\/span> extended release)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, angina, CHF with low EF<\/span><\/td>\n25 to 400 mg once daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Toprol XL coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Coreg (carvedilol)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, CHF with low EF, left ventricular dysfunction after MI<\/span><\/td>\n3.125 to 25 mg twice daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet Coreg coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Aldactone (<\/span>spironolactone<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, CHF with low EF, <\/span>edema<\/span>, primary hyperaldosteronism (excess aldosterone from adrenal glands)<\/span><\/td>\n12.5 to 100 mg once daily for hypertension (or up to 200 to 400 mg daily for some indications)<\/span><\/td>\nGet aldactone coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Lasix (<\/span>furosemide<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, <\/span>edema<\/span><\/td>\n10 to 40 mg twice daily for hypertension (or up to 600 mg per day for <\/span>edema<\/span>)<\/span><\/td>\nGet Lasix coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Hydralazine<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension<\/span><\/td>\n10 to 50 mg four times daily<\/span><\/td>\nGet hydralazine coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n
Cardura (doxazosin)<\/span><\/td>\nHypertension, benign prostatic hypertrophy (BPH, enlarged prostate)<\/span><\/td>\n1 to 16 mg once daily (or maximum of 8 mg for BPH)<\/span><\/td>\nGet Cardura coupons<\/span><\/a><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n

Other alternatives to <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span><\/h3>\n