Hydrochlorothiazide side effects

Folks, I was on this standard diuretic for about 6 years or so. For a very long time, I did not think it was causing any significant side effects (other than having to pee a lot). I was wrong. It gave me type II diabetes.

If you ask MOST doctors and nurses about this, they will deny it strenuously. As one very good PA told me, "diuretics are our first line of defense." An RN just two weeks ago thought I was crazy to blame my diabetes on it.

But it is not my imagination. The ALLHAT study -- which, if you cite, will cause most docs and nurses to shut up right fast -- is one of the most famous studies out there. It was huge, and its authors became strong proponents of diuretics. But the same study found that if you take HCTZ for five years, you have about a 12.6% chance of developing diabetes (versus perhaps a 1 to 2% chance otherwise). I am so angry about this because no one warned me. No one told me this, so I could never make an informed decision about taking this medication. Now I will be fighting diabetes for the rest of my life!

I haven't looked at the insert for HCTZ in a long time, so for all I know they're now finally listing blood sugar issues. But they said nothing when I started in 2002, and no one bothered monitoring by blood sugar either. Even when we finally noticed the glucose readings going up, no one said, "Oh, we should take you off that diuretic."

If you do some googling, you'll discover that there are a (minority) of doctors out there who are also very concerned about this. They argue a lot at forums for doctors. This business about diabetes IS a known side-effect. It's just, as I said, that too few doctors seem to be aware of it, or if they are, seem to feel the need to inform their patients before prescribing it.

I have obly been taking the drug for a week but I am experiencing muscle weakness in my arms,vaginal itch and dryness, loss of sexual appetite and dry mouth

I have been on Triam/Hctz (37.5/25) for about a year. About two weeks ago I developed a very itchy rash on my lower legs, forearms, back of hands and neck. I probably was exposed to sunlight (though this is October and I had no effects when at the beach in August). The itch is driving me crazy. My doctor said to discontinue the med and prescribed some sort of topical cream (which I haven't begun to take). Oatmeal baths and Benadryl seem to help somewhat.

Big weight gain in the past 6 months (40 pounds), sleeplessness at night, mental and physical fatigue, hand joint pain, feet pain. I was taking a low-dose anti-depressant, which I stopped taking. All symptoms remained. So, I'm going to stop taking 25mg HCTZ for my mild high blood pressure, and will start walking again once my feet feel good enough to take the exercise. I will research natural herbal remedies to help me lower my hypertension, and with the walking, hope to lose weight which will help lower my blood pressure, too.

33yr. old/male 5'8", 170lbs.
I just switched from taking Lisinopril 10mg for 2 weeks to get rid of memory loss issue, dizziness, lethargy, etc. Now I'm on 25mg of HCTZ and I'm having worse issues with the dizziness, tired, lethargic, dumb, drunk, dopey feeling that won't quit. The only other med that I take is Allegra-D 12 hour once a day for the last two years. I saw that high blood pressure was a possible side effect of the Allegra, but my doctor said he was pretty sure that wasn't it since my cholesterol was also high (210). I have to find something to lower my all of a sudden high blood pressure 195/100 to a comfortable level without these life hindering side effects. I have a lot of living left to do and I'm pretty fit, but now since I started these meds, I feel like I'm 70 yrs. old.

I have mental fuzziness and a cotton-head feeling. It can take me a minute to recall things I knew instantly before taking this med. Had severe headaches the first few days
but haven't had them again (I've only been on this for 3 weeks).

red puffy hands

I have no side effects so far. It is helping me lose weight that I'd gained due to Thyroid issues. So far so good.

I have been on hydrochlorothiazide for about a year now, 25mg. daily. In the last 6 months I have noticed that I have very dry mouth in the evening especially, with a feeling that I have post nasal drip. It feels like mucus is between my nose and throat and there is no way I can swallow it...it never seems to go down. I have it until I go to bed, then it seems to disappear until the next evening. My nose is clear though. I also notice I am more jittery than usual during the day, and I have very sleepless nights. I seem to toss and turn all night long and don't feel rested in the morning. I am 66 years old.

I have been gaining weight rapidly. My hands are swollen and my joints and shoulders ache (pinch). I thought this was a fluid pill. Am I wrong? It's doing the opposite of what I expected. Can I stop taking it without side effects?

Sleep issues are a real factor with me on this drug. I stopped taking it when I switched from Lisinopril/HCTZ 20/12.5 mgs and slept like a baby. Have now been directed by doctor to take this drug in combination with Cardizem LA. First night on the higher dosage and I have not slept a wink.

Not totally sure, but have been having early morning sleeplessness since starting to take this drug two years ago. Is there a correlation?

this medicin is killing me, ive had to apply for ssid dissability because of side affects of maxzide hctz i have comlain from start of this medicin ,problem is i guess that all blood tests come back normal for electrolites except once my magnesium was low but dr said it was no big deal and for me to just add a banana to my daily diet well that dident work and i only take a half tab of hctz everyday .i have no quality of life at all anymore because of cronic headachs and my whole body hurts ,all joints ,wrists feel broken knees too, muscles hurt and are weakening more everyday my muscles have what i describe as seazure type spasums , and now i cant hardly walk to my car cause my legs tire so fast, arms have same problem . and also i developed a cronic sinuse problem i can breath through nose but im allways feels stuffed up and overly dry .another problem for me is that i cant take ANY other bp meds do to alergic reactions and even worse side affects. i dont have insurance anymore .

Since I have been on the medication I have exsperienced red puffy hands that are VERY swollen. I have a lot of pain in my joints, including my shoulders. I hurt everywhere. I've also exsperienced extreme fatigue, dry mouth, sores on my tongue, a dry cough, and hair loss. Just yesterday I developed a rash the size and what looks like a misquitoe bite.

After 17 months on hydrochlorothiazide for blood pressure, I experienced a bright red itchy rash on sun-exposed areas ( primarily face and neck). It was diagnosed as solar urticaria (allergy to sunlight) and was successfully treated. However, after 24 months now on it, I have bright redness on my face and neck again (unpleasant but not particularly itchy) with really mild nausea. The doctor tells me it could be a side effect of the drug. I am now on another blood pressure pill, but it has been four days since I took the hydro. and the redness has not gone away.

Mental fuzziness, dizzy sensation which disappeared when I stopped taking it. Also nausea.

Mental fuzziness, dizzy sensation

I have serious heart palpatations and breathlessness. I didn't realize it was this drug until I reduced dosage to 12.5mg after being hospitalized, all symptoms stopped. Then I doubled it again not knowing that was my problem. Then serious heart problems began again and unstable on my feet, hot face, weakness, sleeplessness, nervousness, feet and leg cramps. I've had all of these problems the 3 years that I have taken this drug and didn't know why until now. I'm 68 years young.

A horrible itchy rash, that is on all parts of my skin that is exposed to the sun. Body tingles at night. Seems like all my nerve endings are jumping, or getting bit by misquitoes.

redness puffy hands and face. Also rash on hands and face

I get body aches , palpatations and fatigue

i get bad sinus headaches & i feel tense all over my
body,i don't feel this way if i don't take the HCT.

I have celiac sprue and need to know if Hydrochlorothiazide contains any gluten.

Thank you.

i started takeing the pills on thursday the 29th of sept and had to stop takeing them as i was very sick and had to stop takeing the medication

I experience hair loss.

my head feels as though it is twice the size with a band around it pulling tighter

My arms, legs, wrists and everything hurts. I have tried cutting the 25mg of hydrochlorothiazide in half and I have taken that for about 3months and I am still having horrific pain. I stopped taking it for two days and I am not feeling as much pain. I also always had fairly decent fingernails. Now my nails seem to be splitting and peeling terribly. I thought it was the cold weather so I use moisturizer constantly but that doesn't seem to help.