Chlorothiazide (Intravenous)

Chlorothiazide is used to treat fluid retention (edema) caused by congestive heart failure, severe liver disease (cirrhosis), kidney disease, or from treatment with a steroid or hormone medicine.

Chlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic. It decreases the amount of water in the body by increasing urine flow, which helps reduce fluid retention (edema).

This medicine is available only with your doctor's prescription.

Your doctor will provide you with only a few doses of this medicine until your condition gets better, after which you will be transitioned to an oral medicine that works the same way. If you have any concerns about this, talk to your doctor.

In deciding to use a medicine, you and your doctor need to weigh the risks against the benefits. The following factors should be considered for this medicine:

Allergies

Inform your doctor if you have ever had any unusual or allergic reaction to this medicine or any other medicines. Additionally, let your healthcare professional know about any other allergies you may have, such as to foods, dyes, preservatives, or animals. For over-the-counter products, carefully read the label or package ingredients.

Pediatric

Studies have not been done to see how chlorothiazide affects children. Its safety and effectiveness in kids have not been established.

Geriatric

Current studies have not shown any specific problems that would limit the use of chlorothiazide in older adults. However, older patients are more likely to have age-related liver, kidney, or heart issues, which might require a dose adjustment for those taking chlorothiazide.

Breast Feeding

Research indicates that this medication may change milk production or its composition. If an alternative medication is not prescribed, you should watch the infant for side effects and ensure they are getting enough milk.

Interactions with Medicines

Some medicines should not be used together, while others may be used together even if there is a chance of interaction. In these cases, your doctor might adjust the dose or take other precautions. It is very important for your healthcare professional to know if you are taking any of the medicines listed below. The following interactions are based on their potential significance and are not a complete list.

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines is usually not recommended, but may be necessary in some situations. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may change the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Acarbose
• Aceclofenac
• Acemetacin
• Acetyldigoxin
• Albiglutide
• Albuterol
• Alogliptin
• Amphetamine
• Amtolmetin Guacil
• Arsenic Trioxide
• Aspirin
• Benzphetamine
• Bepridil
• Bromfenac
• Bromocriptine
• Bufexamac
• Buprenorphine
• Canagliflozin
• Celecoxib
• Chlorpropamide
• Choline Salicylate
• Clonixin
• Codeine
• Dapagliflozin
• Deslanoside
• Desmopressin
• Dexibuprofen
• Dexketoprofen
• Dextroamphetamine
• Diclofenac
• Diflunisal
• Digitalis
• Digitoxin
• Digoxin
• Dipyrone
• Dofetilide
• Droxicam
• Dulaglutide
• Empagliflozin
• Etodolac
• Etofenamate
• Etoricoxib
• Exenatide
• Felbinac
• Fenoprofen
• Fepradinol
• Feprazone
• Flecainide
• Floctafenine
• Flufenamic Acid
• Flurbiprofen
• Formoterol
• Glimepiride
• Glipizide
• Glyburide
• Ibuprofen
• Indomethacin
• Insulin
• Insulin Aspart, Recombinant
• Insulin Bovine
• Insulin Degludec
• Insulin Detemir
• Insulin Glulisine
• Ketanserin
• Ketoprofen
• Ketorolac
• Linagliptin
• Liraglutide
• Lisdexamfetamine
• Lithium
• Lixisenatide
• Lornoxicam
• Loxoprofen
• Lumiracoxib
• Meclofenamate
• Mefenamic Acid
• Meloxicam
• Methamphetamine
• Metildigoxin
• Miglitol
• Morniflumate
• Nabumetone
• Naproxen
• Nateglinide
• Nepafenac
• Niflumic Acid
• Nimesulide
• Nimesulide Beta Cyclodextrin
• Oxaprozin
• Oxyphenbutazone
• Parecoxib
• Phenylbutazone
• Piketoprofen
• Pioglitazone
• Piroxicam
• Porfimer
• Pramlintide
• Proglumetacin
• Propyphenazone
• Proquazone
• Repaglinide
• Rofecoxib
• Rosiglitazone
• Salicylic Acid
• Salsalate
• Saxagliptin
• Sitagliptin
• Sodium Salicylate
• Sulindac
• Tapentadol
• Tenoxicam
• Tiaprofenic Acid
• Tolazamide
• Tolbutamide
• Tolfenamic Acid
• Tolmetin
• Valdecoxib
• Vildagliptin

Using this medicine with any of the following medicines may increase the risk of certain side effects, but taking both might be the best treatment for you. If both medicines are prescribed together, your doctor may adjust the dose or frequency of one or both medicines.

• Aminolevulinic Acid
• Calcium
• Ginkgo
• Gossypol
• Licorice

Interactions with Food/Tobacco/Alcohol

Certain medicines should not be taken around the time of eating food or certain types of food, as interactions may happen. Using alcohol or tobacco with certain medicines may also lead to interactions. Talk to your healthcare professional about using your medicine with food, alcohol, or tobacco.

Other Medical Problems

Other medical issues may affect the use of this medicine. Make sure to inform your doctor about any other medical problems you have, especially:

• Anuria (not able to form urine)—Should not be used in patients with this condition.

• Asthma or
• Diabetes or
• Gout or
• Hypercalcemia (high calcium in the blood) or
• Hyperuricemia (high uric acid in the blood) or
• Hypochloremia (low chloride in the blood) or
• Hypokalemia (low potassium in the blood) or
• Hypomagnesemia (low magnesium in the blood) or
• Hyponatremia (low sodium in the blood) or
• Hypophosphatemia (low phosphorus in the blood) or
• Liver disease or
• Systemic lupus erythematosus—Use with caution. This medicine may worsen these conditions.

• Kidney disease—Use with caution. The effects of the medicine may be stronger due to slower removal of the medicine from the body.

Along with its necessary effects, this medicine may cause some unwanted effects. Not all of these side effects may happen, but if they do, they may need medical attention.

Check with your doctor or nurse right away if any of the following side effects occur:

Incidence not known

• Abdominal or stomach pain
• back, leg, or stomach pains
• black, tarry stools
• bleeding gums
• blisters on skin
• blood in urine or stools
• bloody or cloudy urine
• blue lips and fingernails
• blurred vision
• burning, crawling, itching, numbness, prickling, "pins and needles", or tingling feelings
• chest pain
• chills
• clay-colored stools
• cold sweats
• confusion
• constipation
• cough or hoarseness
• coughing that sometimes produces a pink frothy sputum
• coughing up blood
• darkened urine
• decrease in urine output or decrease in urine-concentrating ability
• decreased frequency or amount of urine
• diarrhea
• difficult, fast, or noisy breathing, sometimes with wheezing
• difficulty swallowing
• dizziness, faintness, or lightheadedness when getting up from a lying or sitting position suddenly
• dry mouth
• fast heartbeat
• feeling of constant movement of self or surroundings
• fever
• flushed, dry skin
• fruit-like breath odor
• general feeling of discomfort or illness
• general feeling of tiredness or weakness
• headache
• hives
• increased blood pressure
• increased hunger
• increased sensitivity of skin to sunlight
• increased sweating
• increased thirst
• increased urination
• indigestion
• itching
• joint pain, stiffness, or swelling
• loss of appetite
• lower back or side pain
• muscle cramps or pain
• nausea
• nosebleeds
• numbness, tingling, pain, or weakness in hands or feet
• pain in joints or muscles
• painful or difficult urination
• pains in stomach, side, or abdomen, possibly radiating to the back
• pale skin
• pinpoint red spots on skin
• puffiness or swelling of the eyelids or around the eyes, face, lips, or tongue
• redness or other discoloration of skin
• redness, soreness, or itching skin
• seizures
• sensation of spinning
• severe sunburn
• shortness of breath
• skin rash
• sores, ulcers, or white spots on lips or in mouth
• sores, welting, or blisters
• sugar in the urine
• sweating
• swelling in legs and ankles
• swelling of face, fingers, or lower legs
• swollen or painful glands
• tenderness of salivary glands
• thickening of bronchial secretions
• tightness in chest
• trembling
• troubled breathing
• unexplained weight loss
• unpleasant breath odor
• unusual bleeding or bruising
• unusual tiredness or weakness
• unusual weight loss
• vomiting of blood
• weight gain
• yellow eyes or skin

Some side effects may occur that usually do not need medical attention. These side effects may go away during treatment as your body adjusts to the medicine. Also, your health care professional may be able to tell you about ways to prevent or reduce some of these side effects. Check with your health care professional if any of the following side effects continue or are bothersome or if you have any questions about them:

Incidence not known

• Blistering, peeling, or loosening of skin
• cracks in the skin
• cramping
• decreased interest in sexual intercourse
• difficulty having a bowel movement (stool)
• hair loss, thinning of hair
• inability to have or keep an erection
• loss in sexual ability, desire, drive, or performance
• loss of heat from the body
• muscle spasm
• pinpoint red or purple spots on skin
• red, irritated eyes
• red, swollen skin
• restlessness
• scaly skin
• weakness

Other side effects not listed may also happen in some patients. If you notice any other effects, check with your healthcare professional.

Call your doctor for medical advice about side effects. You may report side effects to the FDA at 1-800-FDA-1088.

In the U.S.

• Diuril Sodium
• Sodium Diuril

Available Dosage Forms:

• Powder for Solution

Therapeutic Class: Cardiovascular Agent

Pharmacologic Class: Diuretic

Chemical Class: Thiazide

A nurse or other trained health professional will give you this medicine. This medicine is given through a needle placed in one of your veins.

• Should you use a diuretic with diazoxide?