Source: Health Products Regulatory Authority (ZA) Revision Year: 2023 Publisher: PHARMACARE LIMITED, Healthcare Park, Woodlands Drive, Woodmead 2191
Category and class: A 18.1 Diuretics
Pharmacotherapeutic group: Medicines acting on reno- urinary and genital system
ATC code: C03AA03
Hydrochlorothiazide is a diuretic which reduces the reabsorption of electrolytes from the renal tubules, thereby increasing the excretion of sodium, potassium and chloride ions, and consequently of water. It also slightly increases bicarbonate excretion without appreciable alteration of the acid-base balance or the pH of the urine. It has a lowering effect on the blood pressure and enhances the action of other hypotensive medicines such as guanethidine, methyldopa and rauwolfia alkaloids.
Hydrochlorothiazide is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract.
Then distributed throughout the extracellular space and diffuses across the placenta.
Diuresis occurs in about two hours, reaches a maximum in about four hours, and lasts for about twelve hours. Tolerance does not develop, and therapeutic efficacy is maintained when it is administered over long periods, but patients may not respond if their glomerular filtration-rate is markedly reduced.
The route of elimination is via the kidneys.
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