{"id":627220,"date":"2024-03-08T15:38:57","date_gmt":"2024-03-08T20:38:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/?p=627220"},"modified":"2024-10-25T10:04:27","modified_gmt":"2024-10-25T14:04:27","slug":"hydrochlorothiazide-interactions","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.singlecare.com\/blog\/hydrochlorothiazide-interactions\/","title":{"rendered":"Hydrochlorothiazide interactions to avoid"},"content":{"rendered":"

Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span><\/a> is a generic prescription medication used to treat <\/span>high blood pressure<\/span> (<\/span>hypertension<\/span><\/a>) and <\/span>edema<\/span>. <\/span>Edema<\/span><\/a> is swelling caused by fluid retention in certain body tissues, often due to <\/span>heart failure<\/span>, certain kidney conditions, <\/span>corticosteroid<\/span> therapy, or estrogen therapy. <\/span>Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> belongs to a group of medications called <\/span>thiazide diuretics<\/span> (<\/span>water pills<\/span><\/a>). <\/span>Diuretics<\/span> work to excrete water and electrolytes by increasing the production and volume of urine.<\/span><\/p>\n

Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span><\/a> interacts with diabetes medications, <\/span>lithium<\/span>, certain <\/span>cholesterol<\/span> medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span>), and other blood pressure-lowering medications, among other drug classes. Only take <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> with the anti-arrhythmic medication dofetilide (<\/span>brand name<\/span> Tikosyn) with consultation from a <\/span>healthcare professional<\/span>. <\/span>Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> also interacts with licorice and alcohol.
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It’s important to be aware of <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> interactions, as other drugs and foods can affect <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>’s effectiveness and cause or worsen <\/span>side effects<\/span>. Since serious effects may happen with certain <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> drug interactions<\/span>, understanding which medications to avoid or use caution with is important.<\/span><\/p>\n

RELATED: <\/b>Hydrochlorothiazide<\/b> side effects<\/b> and how to avoid them<\/b><\/a><\/p>\n

Hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> drug interactions<\/span><\/h2>\n

Many prescription and <\/span>over-the-counter<\/span> (OTC) medications can interact with <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>, including diabetes medications, <\/span>lithium<\/span>, certain <\/span>cholesterol<\/span> medications, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (<\/span>NSAIDs<\/span>), and other blood pressure-lowering medications.<\/span><\/p>\n

Diabetes Medications<\/span><\/h3>\n

Diabetes medications control <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> levels. <\/span>Treatment for diabetes<\/span><\/a> includes a healthy lifestyle with both diet modifications and exercise, along with medications to further lower and control <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> levels. <\/span>Thiazide diuretics<\/span> like <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> can affect <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> levels. When taking an anti-diabetic medication and <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>, the therapeutic effect of the anti-diabetic medication can be decreased, resulting in higher <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> levels.<\/span><\/p>\n

People with diabetes need to monitor <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> levels when using <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span>. This is especially important when starting <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> or when increasing the <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> dose. <\/span>Healthcare providers<\/span> will monitor therapy and prescribe <\/span>hydrochlorothiazide<\/span> at low doses. Tips for monitoring this <\/span>drug interaction<\/span> include being aware of the <\/span>signs of high <\/span>blood sugar<\/span><\/a> (hyperglycemia), such as frequent urination and increased thirst, and checking <\/span>blood sugar<\/span> levels with a glucose monitor.<\/span><\/p>\n

Examples of common anti-diabetic medications:<\/span><\/p>\n