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Hydrochlorothiazide User Reviews & Ratings

Brand names: Microzide, Esidrix, Ezide, Hydro Par, Carozide Diaqua Aquazide H

Hydrochlorothiazide has an average rating of 5.1 out of 10 from a total of 182 reviews on Drugs.com. 33% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 39% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Hydrochlorothiazide

  • kevin
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • February 23, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was on thiazide for 10 years, I started to get bad gout, and developed psoriasis on elbows and knees and it was getting out of control. At the time I didn’t realize it was the side effect of hydrochlorathiazide. So I got a new doctor as my old one retired, he didn't like thiazides so I got off it. After a year my gout has gone, psoriasis is gone, nails are smooth, skin feels better. I hope this helps some people."

1 / 10
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  • AJC
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • August 5, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 50 year old female. I was on Hydrochlorothiazide for 1 year and 3 months for uncontrolled high blood pressure which landed me in the ER with a hypertensive crisis. The last 4 months of taking the med I had been experiencing terrible side effects. Most notably was the skin reaction to sunlight. Severe photosensitivity, toxicity. I would break out in a sun rash on all exposed skin including face neck chest and arms within 10 minutes of sun exposure. I started having kidney pain that would wake me at night. I chose taper off the BP med and began to limit sodium intake to 1500mg per day not exceeding 2000 mg and taking 300mg of potassium supplement daily along with D3 vitamin. I eat 1 cup of oatmeal and 6 oz of blueberries every day. Pleased to say I no longer take Hydrochlorothiazide. Even happier to report BP is averaging 115/70 every day and the side effects are gone."

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  • MaddyV
  • June 11, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "When I first started taking this medication, my heart was racing, I started getting leg cramps, and I felt bone tired. I felt as if something was not right, so I called the doctor. Turns out he started me on 25 mg and that dosage was too high for me so we cut it to 12.5 mg. Seems to be working much better without all those side effects outright. My advice. Listen to your body, not all medications are one size fits all. You are your best advocate."

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Frequently asked questions

  • Richard
  • September 23, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I am 67 years old and was diagnosed with high blood pressure in 2000. My doctor prescribed a daily dose of 25mg of Hydrochlorothiazide and I have taken it all these years with no side effects. It has worked well for me and keeps my BP in the range of 125/85. I am sorry to read that others have had problems with the drug. I consider myself very fortunate."

10 / 10
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  • Mjano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 27, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I was put on hydrochlorothiazide due to my BP 150/86. I took it in the morning and very soon afterwards my BP went to 171/112. I felt dizzy, headache, I felt like something was really wrong with me. I went to the hospital and they said I was having a horrible reaction. After 2 days of not taking it my BP went back to what it was. It's great if it works for you but for me I'm going to try diet and exercise."

1 / 10
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Are you taking this medicine?

  • Davanse
  • April 7, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have been having erratic blood preasure but it was starting to go over 140/90 regularly. My MD put me on hydrochlorothiazide 25mg. I have a family history of high blood pressure. I am very health conscious and this is the first time I am taking a medicine. So I cut the pill in half (12.5mg) and it dropped my BP the first day to 120/78. I don't think I am urinating more but get leg cramps so I started taking Chelated Potassium. I have been on this medicine for 3 weeks and today is the first day I did not take it because my blood pressure was 114/66. I have to be diligent with this medicine even though I am only taking 1/2 my prescribed dose. I don't like to depend on medicines, I use herbal supplements and exercise. I recommend diligent monitoring of your BP whenever you are prescribed medicines."

9 / 10
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  • Mom
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • January 14, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I've been on HCTZ for over a decade and haven't really had any problems until the past year or so. I was taken off of it because of failing kidney function and was surprised to see the change. I had developed horrific leg cramps and foot numbness a couple years ago that I blamed on my back issues. I'm now off this med and realizing that these were side effects of this med. Today I can feel my feet today and I haven't had a leg spasm in days. These spasms were constant and severe enough that they used to make me have to jump out of bed at night.....many times a night! Cramps were in my hands, my back, upper and lower legs and hips. I've been off of this med for 5 days only and wonder what other symptoms might also go away that I didn't pay attention to. Feeling more alert today too!"

6 / 10
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  • 19gia...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 20, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I've been taking this hydrochlorothiazide drug for a little over a week. My systolic blood pressure is down ten points - was taking it for high blood pressure. My "always swollen" ankles, feet and calves are now slim and fluid free. Very pleased with that!"

8 / 10
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  • Junie
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • September 21, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 57 year young woman in relatively good health. I struggled with my weight since my early 30's add anxiety & I developed high blood pressure (BP) by age 40. I have been on 50 mg. of Losartan & 12.5 mg. of hydrochlorathiazide. My BP did not improve much & averaged 150's over 80's to mid 90's. Recently I started on a ketogenic diet which works great for insulin resistant folks & I have lost 30 lbs in 10 weeks & brought my BP down to 116/70 I asked my Dr to adjust my meds she said it's too soon. I began to have severe dehydration, black outs & dizziness upon standing, profuse sweating, heat intolerance & fatigue so I stopped the hydrochlorathiazide on my own and all the bad symptoms went away & BP still great! Listen to your body!"

7 / 10
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  • yuyo
  • September 23, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "When to my pc doctor for high blood pressure and he prescribed hydrochlorothiazide. I looked up the side effects and quickly decided that this medication is not anything I want to put in my system especially when one of the side is high blood pressure. All the side effects of this medication are very scary! If I had known I would never had filled this prescription. I am changing my PC because I have lost faith in him and do not believe in his competency to prescribe medication. A patient should learn to look up the side effects of their prescription and see for them self IF what they have been prescribe is right for them. If in doubt ask the doctor why he prescribed that medication and if he could prescribe something else."

1 / 10
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  • Rose_1
  • April 2, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "I have taken it for about 4 or 5 years on and off. I had stopped for awhile because my bp was fine but started this last year because I suddenly have elevated bp again and some swelling. It works fine for me at 12.5. I had a doctor prescribe 25mg and I had the leg cramps , some dizziness , dry eyes. I realized that is because I am dehydrated. If the medication is dehydrating you I would say you are prescribed too high of a dose. Once it was decreased all those side effects went away and I do not swell and my BP is better. If you ever complain to a doctor and they tell you just keep taking it and you don't feel good about it, follow your gut feeling."

8 / 10
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  • Rocky
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • July 18, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "My 79 yr old mother has experienced very high blood pressure. She had been taking HCTZ for four months which helped lower her BP but ever since she had a persistent very dry cough to the point of choking each time. She stopped this med. and the coughing stopped after just a few days. Her cardiologist said there was no such side effect as coughing... but I insisted with our family doctor to take her off that med. Listen to your loved ones as too often the doctors don't take their complaints seriously. If I would not have insisted she would still be taking HCTZ."

5 / 10
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  • Erik...
  • October 8, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I was only on HCTZ 12.5mg, along with Losartan 50mg, for five dosages and it caused some bad physical and mental side effects. They included panic attacks, headaches, pressure behind the eyes, lightheadedness, confusion, foggy feelings, being tired and also unable to sleep, lack of appetite, and probably more that I am forgetting. I also fainted twice, within 15 minutes of each other, on the evening of my third dose, which included spending three hours in the ER to recover from massive dehydration. I had a follow up appointment with my PCP earlier today, prior to my sixth dosage, and he told me to stop taking it. I have been off it for only 28 hours and the side effects are gone! I still have a mild headache, but it is considerably better than the past couple of days. I know medication reacts differently for every person, but, for me, it was not worth taking this medications/dosage, which did lower my blood pressure a small amount, compared to all of the side effects I experienced."

2 / 10
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  • ferenc
  • March 1, 2017

Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide) for High Blood Pressure "Having gone through a long list of life's tribulations high BP and all that entails wasn't surprising. Tried lisinopril several times, still felt general malaise. Went to cardiologist everything checked out. I started taking hctz-after a day I felt great and two months in, still do. Curious now why it works and is it compensating for lack in some organ. I do not eat processed foods and am a healthy young woman of 65."

10 / 10
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  • KAG
  • August 2, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I am a 63 y/o male dx'd with hypertension; it was discovered during a left inguinal hernia examination. I was averaging a bp reading of 143/86, with a systolic range of 138-167, and a diastolic range of 91 - 100 - basically stage 1 and stage 2 levels over the past two weeks. I have always been in good health, never smoked, am not obese or diabetic, am physically active, but hypertension runs in the family. My primary doctor suggested medication a few weeks ago and I balked at the thought of taking meds. That said, I took my first non-antibiotic med in my life about 2 hours ago - 25 mg. of Hydrochlorodiazide. Only 1 hour and 20 minutes after taking the pill I checked my bp, not expecting much of a change. Lo and behold, I clocked a 133/83. 10 minutes later it was 129/83. I took the final reading and it was 128/83. Absolutely no side effects as I write this 2 hours and 10 minutes later. If the outcome remains as positive as it is right now, then taking a tiny pill once a day is well worth the expense."

10 / 10
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  • ABQ...
  • April 10, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I am only 45 yo. This medicine, I was put on when I felt perfectly fine. I was told my blood pressure was a little elevated. The next day after taking this medication I was hauled off in an Ambulance from work with symptoms of a stroke a reaction to this medication and was scared for my life and thought I was either going to die or end up in a coma, or be paralyzed for life. My face drooped for 20 minutes, my speech slowed and I could not find words, so luckily my boss called 911 in time and the Dr and staff were able to prevent a stroke and TIA. I am scared to take any new medication now. Looking for a solidarity approach. My blood pressure went the opposite direction and through the roof and I was scared for my life and stayed in the hospital for 2 days. The pharmacy called me to see how I was doing and the Pharm D told me to stop the medicine since my blood pressure changed for the worse to consistently abnormally high. I am now ok after stopping this med."

1 / 10
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  • sirkus
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • April 29, 2013

For High Blood Pressure "My Dr. put me on this medication for high blood pressure....it made me very sick within two weeks after taking it. I felt like I was coming down with the flu. My muscles were weak my joints began hurting. I had a very low grade fever and wanted to go home and go to bed. Then my bladder began to hurt so bad. I had been on some other type of medication for high blood pressure and the same thing happened with it. I knew that I had experienced this before and immediately stopped the hydrochlorothiazide, and my body went back to normal within a week and a half. Another thing I noticed was my urine was like water there was no color whatsoever in it, until I started taking vitamins and the color returned."

4 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 22, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I started taking this med for HBP. I notice after I take it, my BP goes up and my pulse drops, I feel dizzy. I don't like it. My doc said to keep taking it, but I'm not so sure I should. Has this happened to anyone else?"

2 / 10
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  • jayne...
  • December 15, 2010

For High Blood Pressure "I'm 21, 5'4 125 pounds, very active. Hypertension runs in my family sadly and there is no escaping from it. It ran in the 140/mid to high 90's range. I was put on hydrochlorothiazide two months ago. At first I didn't like it because obviously it makes you urinate like crazy, and I hated waking up in the middle of the night to go because I would have trouble falling back to sleep. I started taking it early in the morning instead of 3pm, and my problem was easily solved. Other side effects I have noticed, I've lost around 10 pounds of water weight within the last two months. My blood pressure is now in the low 130's, mid 80's range, and I feel great. I probably will end up on a higher dose in the future."

9 / 10
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  • Anonymous
  • October 4, 2009

For High Blood Pressure "I tried for 2 months to adjust to hydrochlorothiazide. Immediately my legs hurt and felt like jelly, also my energy levels were so low I hardly felt like getting out of bed. I also noticed a lot of hair loss in my brush. My blood pressure went form 210/120 down to 140/78, and my edema was entirely eliminated. Hydrochlorothiazide definitely did it's job, but I was in constant pain and so tired I couldn't function normally, I thought something was really wrong with me until I decided I'd had enough and intentionally skipped a dose and couldn't believe how much better I felt the next day. I'm going back to my Doctor to change to something else!"

5 / 10
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170 Report
  • Cat
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • May 1, 2018

For High Blood Pressure "I'm a 57 year old woman with high blood pressure, I had been on lisinopril for about a year and a half. I had severe case of pancreatitis last August and my doctor said my meds had to be changed. They tried several different meds for high blood pressure but it was still staying too high. Next they tried metoprolol and it was coming down, but doctor felt it wasn't enough, so added hydrochlorathyazide 12.5 mg. I don't retain water at all, so can't understand putting me on it. I've been taking it for about 5 months, started having lots of problems but not sure why. Increased sweating, thirst, headaches, severe sinus congestion and pain. Talked with my doctor but she feels I should continue this medicine, I'm considering taking myself off of it and see what happens, if symptoms go away I'll know it was this medicine. Any thoughts from others would be helpful."

2 / 10
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  • Jean
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • January 17, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I am 62 and have been on hydrochlorothiazide for 8 months for high blood pressure. I Have developed side effects of a severe itchy rash with blistering. It is helping with excess fluid that Lisinopril couldn't manage for BP. The rash and blistering is getting worse. However, I also suspect skin issues might be due to Levothyrozine or Synthroid. Has anyone ever experienced skin problems with Hydrochlorozide? I have stopped both but know it takes time to clear system. Read lots of reviews on bad skin issues on Synthroid use. Has to be one or both of meds for sure?"

2 / 10
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  • Mikey
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • July 17, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "The drug does its job but the side effects of migraine like headaches makes it impossible to take for a long time. I have to take it twice a week so I don't have continuous headaches. The other side effect is extreme muscle soreness in the back and neck"

3 / 10
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  • Mgray
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • June 18, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have a genetic HBP and had been on Lisinopril for many years. It started not working well so hydrochlorozide was added. The first few months seemed to go well aside from fatigue. The last few months I have had a resting pulse rate of 115 and palpitations. I sweat tremendously and feel exhausted. I went to the doctor yesterday who took me off it. Beta-blockers cause me depression, can’t do channel blockers. Am on Ibestartan and hope it will hold it. Different drugs affect people differently but to think it is a magic pill with no side effects is a mistake."

1 / 10
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  • Tee
  • July 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I don't even know where to begin, but my very first adverse symptoms were erratic heartbeats, and vertigo symptoms doctors never associated these symptoms to the Hydrochlorothiazide so I continued on through the years with severe potassium losses landing me in the hospital several times,nsevere muscle cramps, limb tingling, numbness, severe hair loss (being a woman this was devastating), blurred vision, coughing, wheezing, sinusitis which I am now dealing with that started at least 5 years ago. I started reading up on all of my meds, and on this drugs list of adverse symptoms I could check practically every box, told my doc and begged him to read up on this drug himself, he said symptoms couldn't possibly be related to this drug. I took myself off this drug in 2019 and guess what happened? My hair stopped falling out, my potassium level is normal, the crazy heartbeats have stopped, dizziness, lightheadedness symptoms gone. My cholesterol back to normal, my blood pressure NORMAL."

1 / 10
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Reviews may be edited to correct grammar/spelling or to remove inappropriate language and content. Reviews that appear to be created by parties with a vested interest are not published. This information is not intended to endorse any particular medication. While these reviews may be helpful, they are not a substitute for the expertise, knowledge, and judgement of healthcare professionals.