Chlortalidone is used to treat water retention caused by heart failure, kidney or liver disease. Water retention may be noticed as swelling of the feet, ankles, lower leg and hands, or shortness of breath. For this reason, it is commonly known as a "water pill."
This medicine is also used to treat high blood pressure.
Chlortalidone may also be used to treat other conditions as decided by your doctor.
Take Chlortalidone exactly as directed by your doctor or according to the instructions on the label. Do not take more or less than instructed by your doctor.
Take this medicine together with food or immediately after a meal. Try to take it at the same time each day.
You may need to pass urine more often while being treated with Chlortalidone. Take this medicine early in the day, preferably in the morning. If your doctor has told you to take it twice a day, take the last dose in the late afternoon. This is to prevent you from waking up frequently at night to go to the toilet.
The dose of this medicine will be decided by your doctor. Your doctor will advise you on the treatment timeframe depending on the type and severity of your condition and response to the medication.
Chlortalidone must be taken regularly for it to be effective. Continue taking this medicine even when you feel better. Do not stop taking it unless instructed by the doctor.
Take the missed dose as soon as you remember. If it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and return to your normal dosing schedule.
DO NOT double a dose under any circumstances.
If you often forget to take your medicine, let your doctor and pharmacist know.
Do not take Chlortalidone if you ever had an allergic reaction (e.g. rashes, breathlessness, swollen eyes) to this medicine or a certain group of medicines called sulfonamides.
Alert your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- unable to pass urine
- hypokalaemia (low potassium level in the blood)
- hyponatraemia (low sodium level in the blood)
- hypercalcaemia (high calcium level in the blood)
- current or history of gout (high uric acid level in the blood) or history of kidney stones due to high uric acid level in the blood and urine
- high blood pressure during pregnancy
- Addison's disease (a rare disorder where the adrenal glands produce insufficient amounts of certain hormones)
- severe kidney disease
- severe liver disease
as Chlortalidone may not be suitable for you.
Inform your doctor if you have the following conditions:
- diabetes
- moderate or high levels of cholesterol in the blood
- systemic lupus erythematosus (autoimmune disease that causes inflammation of certain organs in the body)
- history of allergy or asthma
- low level of parathyroid hormones due to genetic problems
Let your doctor know if you are pregnant or breastfeeding.
Be sure to check with your doctor or pharmacist before giving Chlortalidone to a child or the elderly. Children and elderly people may be more sensitive to the side effects.
If you are going to have an operation, including minor surgery and dental work, inform your doctor or dentist that you are taking this medicine.
Why is it important to keep my appointments with the doctor?
Keep your appointments with your doctor. Your doctor needs to monitor your condition and check your response to the medication regularly.
- Routine tests (e.g. kidney function, electrolyte levels) may be done while you are being treated with this medicine. Your doctor will advise you about how often you need to have these tests.
- Your blood pressure may fall to unsafe levels without you noticing it. Monitor your blood pressure regularly during treatment.
What lifestyle changes can I make to improve my blood pressure?
Regular exercise and eating a healthy diet will help control your blood pressure and improve your overall health. Engage in physical activity like walking for at least 30 to 60 minutes on most days of the week. If you have not exercised for a long time, start with light exercises such as slow walks. Speak to your doctor about what type of exercise would be suitable for you. Follow a healthy diet plan by eating more fruits, vegetables, whole grains and low-fat dairy products and reduce your intake of foods high in saturated fat, cholesterol and sodium. Cutting down on deep-fried foods and using less salt when cooking can kick-start your healthy diet.
If you smoke, you should try to quit. Smoking is harmful to your blood pressure, heart and overall health. Speak to your doctor or pharmacist about ways to stop your smoking habit.
Chlortalidone may cause any of the following side effects: dizziness, headache, constipation, abdominal cramps, nausea, and vomiting.
This medicine may cause your blood pressure to fall suddenly when you get up from a sitting or lying down position and you may feel giddy. To minimise this problem, stand up slowly.
Although not common, this medicine may also make your skin more sensitive to sunlight. Apply sunscreen when going outdoors and avoid prolonged exposure to sunlight and UV lamps.
You may need to pass urine more often while you are being treated with Chlortalidone. As your body adjusts to the medicine, this urination effect should also decrease.
Some side effects may need immediate medical help. Alert your doctor quickly if you experience any of the following:
- rashes, breathlessness, swelling of the face, eyes or mouth
- muscle weakness, pain or twitching, irregular or fast heartbeat, mood changes, confusion, fits or seizures, tiredness
- changes in eyesight
- pain and swelling of the joints
Inform your doctor if any of these side effects do not go away or are severe, or if you experience other side effects.
Inform your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any of these medicines:
- other medicines for high blood pressure e.g. captopril, propranolol, amlodipine, guanethidine, methyldopa
- anti-inflammatory medicines e.g. prednisolone
- medicines for diabetes e.g. insulin, glibenclamide
- NSAIDs (medicines for pain and inflammation) e.g. indometacin
- carbenoxolone (medicine used to treat mouth ulcers)
- certain medicines for cancer e.g. cyclophosphamide, methotrexate
- lithium (medicine for mood disorders)
- digoxin (medicine for irregular heartbeat)
- ciclosporin (medicine used in organ transplants or certain immune disorders)
- colestyramine (cholesterol-lowering medicine)
- allopurinol (medicine for gout [high uric acid level in the blood])
- diazoxide (medicine used to treat low blood sugar)
- calcium supplements
This list does not include all medicines that may interact with Chlortalidone.
Always notify your doctor and pharmacist if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal tonics such as traditional Chinese medicines, supplements, and medicines that you buy without a prescription.
Avoid alcohol.
Your doctor may give you potassium supplements while you are being treated with Chlortalidone. Alternatively, he may tell you to eat more foods that are rich in potassium, such as orange juice, bananas, or prunes.
Store in a cool, dry place away from the reach of children.
Protect from light and moisture.
Medicines must not be used past the expiry date.
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