Hygroton

What is it?

A thiazide-like diuretic preparation produced in the form of scored, pale yellow tablets containing 50mg chlorthwlidone marked GEIGY and coded ZA.

Medical Uses

High blood pressure, fluid retention due to liver cirrhosis or nephrotic syndrome, diabetes insipidus, chronic heart failure in stable state.

Dosage

Adults, hypertension, 25 to 50mg each day; Oedema, up to 50mg each day using lowest dose that is effective; heart failure, 25 to 50mg each day at first with maintenance dose of same order either eery day or on alternate days up to a maximum of 200mg daily. All these doses to be taken in a single dose with breakfast, diabetes insipidus, 100mg twice each day at first with a maintenance dose in the order of 50mg daily. Children, 0.5 to 1mg per kg of body weight every 48 hours at first, to a maximum of 1.7mg per kg of body weight.

Special Care

Breast-feeding, elderly, kidney or liver disease, liver cirrhosis, severe cerebral or coronary arteriosclerosis (narrowing of coronary or cerebral arteries), diabetes. Glucose, fluid and electrolyte (salts) levels should be carefully monitored during the course of therapy.

Avoid Use

Patients with serious kidney or liver failure, sensitivity to sulphonamide drugs, high blood preesure during pregnancy, hypercalcaemia (elevated calcium levels in blood), Addison's disease, hypokalaemin (low potassium levels in blood), hyperuriceemia (elevated levels of uric acid in blood), hyponxtraemia (low sodium levels in blood).

Possible Drug and Food Interactions

Nsmds, barbiturates, anticholinergics, antidiebetic drugs, B2-agonists, al1npurino1, corticnsternids, chniestyramine, alcohol, tubocurarine, opiods, diazoxide, colestipol, carbenoxolone, lithium, cyclosporin, cardiac glycosides, cytotoxics, ACTH, vitamin D, amphotericin, amantadine, calcium salts.

Known Side Effects

Gastrointestinal upset, blood changes, gout, skin rash, upset of electrolyte balance and metabolism, anorexia, impotence, disturbance of vision, dizziness, low blood pressure on standing up (postural hypotension). Rarely, blood changes, nephritis (kidney inflammation), sensitivity to light, pancreatitis, headache, respiratory disorders, numbness/tingling/ 'pins and needles' in hands and feet.