Professional Information — Hydrochlorothiazide

Indications and Usage

Hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP are indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy.

Hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP have also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure.

Hydrochlorothiazide tablets, USP are indicated in the management of hypertension either as the sole therapeutic agent or to enhance the effectiveness of other antihypertensive drugs in the more severe forms of hypertension.

Use in Pregnancy

Routine use of diuretics during normal pregnancy is inappropriate and exposes mother and fetus to unnecessary hazard. Diuretics do not prevent development of toxemia of pregnancy and there is no satisfactory evidence that they are useful in the treatment of toxemia.

Edema during pregnancy may arise from pathologic causes or from the physiologic and mechanical consequences of pregnancy. Thiazides are indicated in pregnancy when edema is due to pathologic causes, just as they are in the absence of pregnancy (see PRECAUTIONS, Pregnancy ). Dependent edema in pregnan­cy, resulting from restriction of venous return by the gravid uterus, is properly treated through elevation of the lower extremities and use of support stockings. Use of diuretics to lower intravascular volume in this instance is illogical and unneces­sary. During normal pregnancy there is hypervolemia which is not harmful to the fetus or the mother in the absence of cardiovascular disease. However, it may be associated with edema, rarely generalized edema. If such edema causes discomfort, in­creased recumbency will often provide relief. Rarely this edema may cause extreme discomfort which is not relieved by rest. In these instances, a short course of diuretic therapy may provide relief and be appropriate.

Dosage and Administration

Therapy should be individualized according to patient response. Use the smallest dosage necessary to achieve the required response.

Adults

For Edema

The usual adult dosage is 25 mg to 100 mg daily as a single or divided dose. Many patients with edema respond to intermittent therapy, i.e., administration on alternate days or on 3 to 5 days each week.  With an intermittent schedule, excessive response and the resulting undesirable electrolyte imbalance are less likely to occur.

For Control of Hypertension

The usual initial dose in adults is 25 mg daily given as a single dose. The dose may be increased to 50 mg daily, given as a single or two divided doses. Doses above 50 mg are often associated with marked reductions in serum potassium (see also PRECAUTIONS ).

Patients usually do not require doses in excess of 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide daily when used concomitantly with other antihypertensive agents.

Infants and Children

For Diuresis and for Control of Hypertension

The usual pediatric dosage is 0.5 mg to 1 mg per pound (1 to 2 mg/kg) per day in single or two divided doses, not to exceed 37.5 mg per day in infants up to 2 years of age or 100 mg per day in children 2 to 12 years of age. In infants less than 6 months of age, doses up to 1.5 mg per pound (3 mg/kg) per day in two divided doses may be required. (See PRECAUTIONS, Pediatric Use .)

Contraindications

Anuria.

Hypersensitivity to this product or to other sulfonamide-derived drugs.

Adverse Reactions

The following adverse reactions have been reported and, within each category, are listed in the 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.

Renal

Renal failure, renal dysfunction, interstitial nephritis (see WARNINGS ).

Skin

Erythema multiforme including Stevens-Johnson syndrome, exfoliative dermatitis including toxic epidermal necrolysis, alopecia.

Special Senses

Transient blurred vision, xanthopsia.

Urogenital

Impotence.

Non-melanoma Skin Cancer

Hydrochlorothiazide is associated with an increased risk of non-melanoma skin cancer. In a study conducted in the Sentinel System, increased risk was predominantly for squamous cell carcinoma (SCC) and in white patients taking large cumulative doses. The increased risk for SCC in the overall population was approximately 1 additional case per 16,000 patients per year, and for white patients taking a cumulative dose of ≥50,000 mg the risk increase was approximately 1 additional SCC case for every 6,700 patients per year.

Whenever adverse reactions are moderate or severe, thiazide dosage should be reduced or therapy withdrawn.

Drug Interactions

When given concurrently the following drugs may interact with thiazide diuretics.

Alcohol, Barbiturates, or Narcotics

Potentiation of orthostatic hypotension may occur.

Antidiabetic Drugs (Oral Agents and Insulin)

Dosage adjustment of the antidiabetic drug may be required.

Other Antihypertensive Drugs

Additive effect or potentiation.

Cholestyramine and Colestipol Resins

Absorption of hydrochlorothiazide is impaired in the presence of anionic exchange resins. Single doses of either cholestyramine or colestipol resins bind the hydrochlorothiazide and reduce its absorption from the gastrointestinal tract by up to 85% and 43%, respectively.

Corticosteroids, ACTH

Intensified electrolyte depletion, particularly hypokalemia.

Pressor Amines (e.g., Norepinephrine)

Possible decreased response to pressor amines but not sufficient to preclude their use.

Skeletal Muscle Relaxants, Nondepolarizing (e.g., Tubocurarine)

Possible increased responsiveness to the muscle relaxant.

Lithium

Generally should not be given with diuretics. Diuretic agents reduce the renal clear­ance of lithium and add a high risk of lithium tox­icity. Refer to the package insert for lithium preparations before use of such preparations with hydrochloro­thiazide.

Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs

In some patients, the administration of a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agent can reduce the diuretic, natriuretic, and antihypertensive effects of loop, potassium-sparing and thiazide diuretics. Therefore, when hydrochlorothiazide and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory agents are used concomitantly, the patient should be observed closely to determine if the desired effect of the diuretic is obtained.

Overdosage

The 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. Emesis should be induced or gastric lavage performed. 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 hydrochlorothiazide is removed by hemodialysis has not been established. The oral LD₅₀ of hydrochlorothiazide is greater than 10 g/kg in the mouse and rat.

Description

Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic and antihypertensive. It is the 3,4-dihydro derivative of chlorothiazide. It is chemically designated as 6-chloro-3,4-dihydro-2H-1,2,4-benzothiadiazine-7-sulfonamide 1,1-dioxide and it has the following structural formula:

Hydrochloro­thiazide USP is a white, or practically white, crystalline powder which is slightly soluble in water, but freely soluble in sodium hydroxide solution. Each tablet for oral administration contains 25 mg or 50 mg hydrochlorothiazide USP. In addition, each tablet contains the following inactive ingredients: dibasic calcium phosphate, lactose monohydrate, pregelatinized starch, FD&C yellow No.6 lake, corn starch, colloidal silicon dioxide, and magnesium stearate.

Clinical Pharmacology

The mechanism of the antihypertensive effect of thiazides is unknown. Hydrochlorothiazide does not usually affect normal blood pressure.

Hydrochlorothiazide affects the distal renal tubular mechanism of electrolyte reabsorption. At maximal therapeutic dosage all thiazides are approximately equal in their diuretic efficacy.

Hydrochlorothiazide increases excretion of sodium and chloride in approximately equivalent amounts. Natriuresis may be accompanied by some loss of potassium and bicarbonate.

After oral use diuresis begins within 2 hours, peaks in about 4 hours and lasts about 6 to 12 hours.

Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism

Hydrochlorothiazide is not metabolized but is eliminated rapidly by the kidney. When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 and 14.8 hours. At least 61 percent of the oral dose is eliminated unchanged within 24 hours. Hydrochlorothiazide crosses the placental but not the blood-brain barrier and is excreted in breast milk.

How Supplied / Storage and Handling

Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP, 25 mg are light pink colored, round shaped, flat faced beveled edge uncoated tablets, debossed with ‘D’ and ‘27’ on one side separated by scoring and plain on the other side.

            Bottles of 100                  NDC 65862-133-01
            Bottles of 1,000                NDC 65862-133-99

Hydrochlorothiazide Tablets USP, 50 mg are light pink colored, round shaped, flat faced beveled edge uncoated tablets, debossed with ‘D’ and ‘28’ on one side separated by scoring and plain on the other side.

            Bottles of 100                 NDC 65862-134-01
            Bottles of 1,000               NDC 65862-134-99

PHARMACIST: Dispense in a well-closed container as defined in the USP. Use child-resistant closure (as required).

Store at 20° to 25°C (68° to 77°F); excursions permitted to 15° to 30°C (59° to 86°F) [see USP Controlled Room Temperature].

Distributed by:

Aurobindo Pharma USA, Inc.

279 Princeton-Hightstown Road

East Windsor, NJ 08520

Manufactured by:

Aurobindo Pharma Limited

Hyderabad-500 032, India

Revised: 10/2021

Patient Counseling Information

Non-melanoma Skin Cancer: Instruct patients taking hydrochlorothiazide to protect skin from the sun and undergo regular skin cancer screening.