Chemical formula: C₇H₈ClN₃O₄S₂ Molecular mass: 297.739 g/mol PubChem compound: 3639
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 medicine such as guanethidine, methyldopa and rauwolfia alkaloids.
Hydrochlorothiazide is absorbed from the gastrointestinal tract, distributed throughout the extracellular space and diffuses across the placenta.
About 70% of an oral dose of hydrochlorothiazide is absorbed. It has a plasma half-life of 5.6 to 14.8 hours.
Hydrochlorothiazide is distributed throughout the extracellular space and diffuses across the placenta. It is secreted in breast milk.
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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