Get Informed: Hydrochlorothiazide

Question/Comment:

After taking HCTZ for 4 days my BP has increased a little and I have a mild dull headache.

Question/Comment:

Does HCT cause diabetes?

Answer/Reply from iGuard:

Elevated blood glucose, one of the signs of diabetes, is reported by less than 1% of iGuard members taking hydrochlorothiazide. Although some studies suggest that hydrochlorothiazide may increase blood glucose, there are many things that cause a patient to develop diabetes.

Hydrochlorothiazide is often prescribed to diabetics. In fact, the American Diabetes Association recommends that hydrochlorothiazide be used in certain diabetic patients who are having trouble controlling their blood pressure. If you are concerned about hydrochlorothiazide and/or diabetes, please make an appointment with your physician to discuss your concerns.

Answer/Reply:

No. There are several different types of diabetes. HCT/HCTZ (same drug), Hydrochlorothiazide is a water pill that helps the body get rid of excess build up water in the body system. Everyone should drink plenty of water. If they do not, then the body is tricked into thinking there is not enough water in the system so it starts building up as storage in the body to prevent dehydration for temporary prevention of dehydration. If still not enough drinking water, then the body goes into storage of fluids and then the pockets of water can be found in fatty tissue. swelling, etc. This then can get into high blood pressure Hypertension, kidney disease, heart disease, etc. and other diagnosis that needs to be treated by your physician. Joy

Question/Comment:

I have taken Hctz for years for blood pressure. In the past 6 months, my feet hurt constantly. I have bought 4 different pairs of walking shoes, nothing helps. I have been on statins for cholestrol, have stopped taking them, to see if symptoms deminish. Symtoms still there. The foot pain is bilateral and in the proximal 1st and 2nd metatarsal bone. Could this be gout?

Answer/Reply:

Could be lack of minerals due to the "washing" effect of the Hctz. One may need to rethink what they eat and add more green and red vegetables or a mineral tablet. I have taken Hctz for many years, but I also take vitamins and minerals. Occasionally I get a cramp in a muscle but not too often. Most of the cramps come in a leg where I have bursitis, and a foot (same leg) that was broken about 45 years ago.

Answer/Reply:

it could also be a lack of potassium in your muscles from the hctz. you need to ask your dr. about prescribing a potassium pill and to have a blood test to test your potassium level. lack of potassium will give you mild to severe muscle cramps.

Answer/Reply:

If you have a history of gout, taking Htcz could cause problems. This is more so if you are taking any of the blood pressure meds such as lisinopril. They have a history of causing gout or gout symptoms. I have had the gout for the past 21 years and both of the above medications required an adjustment in my medications to deal with the gout. Even wth the adjustments, I will get gout symptoms in my feet from time to time. Also both the medications above can with certain foods make you more prone to gout symptoms. If however you did get a complete gout attack, you would not have to ask if it is the gout. The pain of a gout attack is generally off the pain scale, so much so that even the slightest touch of anything will cause pain at a high level, and you would not be able to walk. However you can experience gout symptoms that are not that bad, but are induced by your medication. You should have your doctor check your Uric Acid levels to insure you are not prone to gout problems. All it requires is a simple blood test.

Mav - Age 61

Answer/Reply:

HI, I'VE BEEN ON ATENENOL FOR YEARS AND I DON'T HAVE ANY SIDE AFFECTS. I GUESS IT D DEPENDS ON YOUR BODY EVERYTHING TREATS EVERYONE DIFFERENT. CHECK WITH YOUR DOCTOR. THANKS JACKIE SHINALL 47 YR OLD FEMALE

Answer/Reply:

The foot pain could be a number of things. When taking HCTZ, you should always take it with orange juice or a banana so as to keep from losing potassium. Doctors often forget to tell their patients that little bit of very useful information. When on any diuretic, potassium loss is almost inevitable if you don't increase your potassium rich foods, such as bananas, orange juice or potatoes. Potassium loss causes leg and foot cramps and pain.

Answer/Reply:

The pain could be from any number of things. Doctors OFTEN forget to tell patients that when on HCTZ or any diuretic, that it is important to take them with a banana or a glass of orange juice so your potassium level doesn't decrease. Potassium loss can cause foot and leg cramps and pain.

Answer/Reply:

Since taking this medication, my potassium level dropped and my doctor had to prescribe me potassium pills. My doctor re-checked it a month after he started me on the potassium pills and it is normal again. But he doesn't want to take me off the potassium pills. I sometimes have a "full" feeling around my ankles with some tenderness of the feet. I was advised to eat more citrus fruits, greens, chicken and fish.

36 year old female

Answer/Reply:

I also have taken furosemide for quite a long time, and I did have a potassium problem, which my doctor prescribed potassium pills, and it improved immediately.

Answer/Reply:

I have also been on this drug and have the same foot pain you described, to the point I can no longer go for my long walks anymore. Even going out to the mailbox is painful. In December diagnosed with chronic renal failure.

59 year old female

Question/Comment:

Does glipizide and HCTZ have any risks taken together.

Answer/Reply:

ALWAYS ASK YOUR PHARMICIST QUESTIONS LIKE THIS. PLUS IF YOU GET ALL MEDS AT THE SAME PHARMACY, THEN THEY ARE SUPPOSE TO BY LAW HAVE A COMPUTER PROGRAM THAT SHOULD RED FLAG ANY MEDS THAT DON'T GO TOGETHER OR THAT UNSAFE TOGETHER AND THEY SHOULD AUTOMATICALLY TELL YOU BY A PHONE CALL OR WHEN YOU COME TO PICK IT UP AND THEY SHOULD ALSO CALL YOUR DR. AND POINT IT OUT TO HIM AND GET HIS RECOMMENDATION FOR SOMETHING ELSE.

Question/Comment:

When my doctor put me on Hydrochlorothiazide, for my blood pressure, after taking it for a week I had severe pain in my feet I couldn't walk,so I went to see him, he was shocked to see me in my condition,and he kept apologizing because he didn't tell me hydrochlorothiazide, the side effect is gout, so becareful.......

Answer/Reply:

Hi, I too have taken hydrochlorothiazide and NEVER had any problems at all except once.. I had a severe infection in my great toe, which was MISDIAGNOSED as gout because of lab results when the doc (in the ER) did not take into account that I was a long-time user of a diuretic. Finally got it sorted out but not before I took medications for gout which have their own side effects. Your result from the medication happens so very seldom, it is no wonder your doctor was upset; he certainly never expected this to happen and possibly had never seen it before. This is a good medication in most circumstances. It is sad it did not do the job for you.

Answer/Reply:

I have been takng Hydrochlorthiazide for 5 years to control my blood pressure. My only side effects have been a few bad cases of vertigo. However, these dizzy spells were pretty severe.

Answer/Reply:

Yes, I was given the same med, hydrochorothiazide for my blood pressure. My hair was completely gone in the top of my head within six months after taking hydrochorothzide.

56 year old female