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Chlorthalidone User Reviews & Ratings

Chlorthalidone has an average rating of 3.7 out of 10 from a total of 46 reviews on Drugs.com. 17% of reviewers reported a positive experience, while 61% reported a negative experience.

Reviews for Chlorthalidone

  • TTano
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 16, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Chlorthalidone helped me with my blood pressure to go down but the side effects were just too much. I felt high and drunk on this medicine and I had only taken it for 3 days. The feeling would come in waves. I was prescribed 25mg once daily. My vision was very blurry and I became very confused and disoriented. It became difficult to walk. My legs cramped. I had heart flutters and irregular heartbeat for a few minutes. I had horrible anxiety and panic attacks on this med. I also had sharp pains in my toenails and my fingernails. My voice became hoarse and my eyes became bloodshot red with lots of pressure in my eyes. The room was spinning and I kept getting dizzy spells when I walked. I could not function on this. I could not concentrate or complete my daily tasks. I slept most of the day because of it. I stopped taking it and I feel better more and more every day. It was extremely scary to be on! I will never take this medicine again! It is definitely not for me!"

5 / 10
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125 Report
  • Nicole
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • February 24, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Let me start off by saying this medication is HORRIBLE! Let me share my story. I’m a 27-year-old female. Diagnosed with hypertension. I’ve been on metoprolol for a few months, but since my blood pressure continued to rise, my doctor suggested trying chlorthalidone 25 mg to add to the mix. Within 2 days of taking this pill, I was in the ER. First symptom I noticed was my heart racing extremely fast (145 bpm) and my blood pressure spiked to about 179/110. I got really worried. I had never seen my BP that high. Usually, 145/95 is my usual. My muscles were weak in my legs, and I was feeling very fatigued. Turns out the hospital said I had low potassium and dehydration, the 2 symptoms this medication is known for. I even drank my normal 100 oz of water daily both days while taking this medication, and still was dehydrated. The hospital told me this medication is rarely given anymore for this reason. Please, if you're prescribed this, be careful!"

1 / 10
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110 Report
  • Johnny
  • October 1, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Chlorthalidone is a great medicine. Depending on the generic manufacturer, this medicine could be very good or very bad. I had used Chlorthalidone manufactured by Rising Pharma and it is excellent. On the other hand, I have used chlorthalidone manufactured by Nivagen Pharma and this is useless, and I think it is fake. If the medicine is supposed to control the blood pressure and it is found that it failed to function, patients should be allowed to sue the manufacturer. Generics made by the US registered in overseas companies are the main culprits, and it is time the public put their eyes on them. Again, Drugs.com is protecting these bad companies by the type of questioning. The ratings should mention the manufacturer's name such as Nivagen Chlorthalidone, Mylan Chlorthalidone, Rising Pharma chlorthalidone. The one-star rating I gave is for Drugs.com itself because it has posed the questions wrongly. Let Drugs.com contact me if it questions my points of view."

1 / 10
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105 Report

Frequently asked questions

  • MOMAFE
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • November 14, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "After being on chlorthalidone, the following has happened. Yes, it lowered my BP. Then, after 3 months out of nowhere, I couldn't walk, had knee pain, went to the ER, and I left on crutches with Ibuprofen. After 3 more months, I had pain in my ankle - sharp pain, like pins and needles jabbing me constantly. At nights, my hips are hurting, even burning sensations. Now I have finally figured it out, it is the side effects of chlorthalidone."

1 / 10
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88 Report
  • Sad...
  • May 6, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "I was on this for blood pressure and fluid retention. This medication has been difficult to take! I am highly allergic to sulfa, and I don't understand why I have taken this horrible drug for this period of time. I have experienced several side effects which I have struggled with daily. I have had major problems with hives, rashes, gum bleeding, indigestion, heart flutters, hair loss and thinning, lack of energy, tingling in hands and fingers, dark spots on the skin, depression, stomach sickness, dry mouth and eyes, dry and peeling skin, and heaviness in legs and thighs. There are other side effects that include sharp pains all over my body. I am now seeing a dermatologist and taking additional drugs to tolerate the indigestion. Generic drugs are not for everyone. This is definitely a form of abuse, and no one should be forced to go through this process! There has to be a better way to do this!"

1 / 10
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60 Report

Are you taking this medicine?

  • Brenda
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • November 19, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "Although it did lower blood pressure, the side effects were horrible for me, so I had to stop it immediately. I started getting a loss of balance feeling, which was very weird to describe. Open spaces (for example, an open parking lot) would make me feel like I was going to fall. I always needed to hold on to a cart or anything while standing. At first, I thought it was just me or a mental thing, but later realized it was this damn pill! When I would walk, it felt so weird, I felt lightheaded and a bit of confusion too. I stopped taking it and felt better within 2 days. Now I have to get on a new pill and hope it doesn’t have any yucky side effects!"

1 / 10
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62 Report
  • Medical...
  • February 19, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I did not have any noticeable side effects on the drug (except more frequent urination), but it did nothing to improve my high blood pressure, which hovered around 138/85 both before and while on the medication. The doctor doubled my dose. Still, no impact. So when the prescription ran out, I opted not to pay for more, and my doctor was fine with it. Well, I experienced MAJOR water retention when I went off. Like gaining 12 lbs in about 2 days. I normally weigh 135 lbs and have never had a problem with water retention before. My calves and ankles doubled in size and felt uncomfortably tight. My face and stomach looked bloated. So my doctor advised I go back on and slowly wean off of it. Sure enough, I lost the lbs when I went back on, but they always came back once I gradually stopped taking it altogether. So now I have to remain on a diuretic for a condition I never had before I started and then stopped this drug. And my blood pressure is still high, so the doctor wants to add Lisinopril, but the side effects I've read about that terrify me!"

2 / 10
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70 Report
  • SoOve...
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • March 19, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "The medicine did exactly what it was supposed to do. My blood pressure was lowered, but not without very bad migraines, dizziness, and constipation. I've been taking this for a little over a month in hopes that my headaches would disappear or at least not be so severe. Well, they are still just as painful as the first day I experienced the headaches and dizziness. In the trash they are going because the side effects aren't worth it. I'm so over it!"

1 / 10
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49 Report
  • Grumpy
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • June 6, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "After taking chlorthalidone for a couple of years I ran out and had to get a new prescription. With none to take I discovered that the muscle pain that I had been fighting went away. I keep track of my blood pressure and they are the same with and without. So no more chlorthalidone. If you are fighting muscle pain you may want to try this."

3 / 10
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60 Report
  • Michele
  • Taken for 1 to 6 months
  • April 28, 2021

For High Blood Pressure "My cardiologist prescribed this because I was having blood pressure spikes, mostly caused by stress. I only take half of a pill (12.5 mg) at night along with atenolol. It completely stabilized my BP, and I only go to the restroom once during the night. At first, it caused my heart to pound with an increase in pulse rate. Also, a little dizziness. After 2-3 weeks of this, those symptoms stopped, and now I don’t have any problems. Works great for me."

10 / 10
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39 Report
  • Meano
  • Taken for 2 to 5 years
  • October 3, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Been taking chlorthalidone for a few years, but I hate it. Have nausea, headache, rash, peeling skin, pins and needles, swollen ankles, hoarse throat, and more. I am trying to find something without side effects, but doc doesn’t care. It is better than lisinopril, which is Brazilian viper snake venom, or losartan that harms muscles so bad you can’t go up steps. And losartan has been recalled."

2 / 10
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52 Report
  • Aarika
  • Taken for 1 to 2 years
  • December 2, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking chlorthalidone for almost 2 years. It has done wonders for me, and my cardiologist put me on this since Lasix was not working. Like many people on here, I did have pain in my feet and joints. That's only because it is a diuretic, and it gets rid of more than just salt. You have to take a multivitamin and constantly load your system. I also skip a day between dosages so I don't lose too many minerals. Otherwise, I love the medicine."

10 / 10
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50 Report
  • Ana
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • August 29, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I would give zero stars if I could. I am severely allergic to sulfa medications, of which Hygroton is related to. The doctor and the pharmacist told me that because of its chemical structure, only a very, very tiny portion of people have an allergic reaction to Hygroton. Well, I am one of them. After only 3 doses, my throat started tightening and feeling itchy, my voice was hoarse, sneezing and watery eyes, and I was overwhelmed with a feeling of impending doom. Went to the ER where they started IV and gave me a ton of meds, and I am now on a high dose of prednisone for a week. So, be very cautious if you are allergic to sulfa and are given this drug. Trust your instincts if you start having symptoms and go to the ER. 3 days later, still waiting for a call back from the doctor's office."

1 / 10
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52 Report
  • Thisg...
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 11, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "Never taking this medication, chlorthalidone, again. After 3 days, it rapidly increased my heart rate and gave me horrible palpitations. Sent me to the hospital, and now I have to recover and try not to exert myself at all, or else I'm faced with my heart rate shooting up to 170. It helped my blood pressure a bit, but anything that makes my heart go through such strain isn't worth it."

2 / 10
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49 Report
  • Donna
  • Taken for 10 years or more
  • December 29, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I have been taking 25 mg of chlorthalidone for at least 15 years now after having too many side effects from other blood pressure meds. I was first prescribed 50 mg of chlorthalidone by a cardiologist who I went to on my own after refusing to be given a third med to counteract side effects from the first two BP meds my PCP gave me. I found that when I walked or did yard work, 50 mg lowered my BP too much. So I asked for the lower dose. I am a 76-year-old who is active. Also, I make sure I keep plenty of potassium in my diet. I only take two meds, this one for BP and another one for high cholesterol. I am very happy with chlorthalidone. I always ask for the lowest dose possible when taking a new med. I've had bad experiences when they just try larger doses, but not with chlorthalidone."

10 / 10
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45 Report
  • Maria
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • June 20, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Please do not take this medication. The side effects are horrible from stomach pain, nausea, vertigo, and migraines. I have experienced all for days after I stopped and to top it off anxiety 24/7. I just wish I read these reviews before starting the med."

1 / 10
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15 Report
  • Sunny
  • Taken for 5 to 10 years
  • December 7, 2020

For High Blood Pressure "I have been using chlorthalidone 20 mg for over 7 years now, since my early fifties, and I could not be happier. My blood pressure level lowered from the start, never had any side effects. I am completely satisfied with the medication."

10 / 10
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31 Report
  • Problem...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • June 26, 2019

For High Blood Pressure "I opted for this drug when other BP drugs nearly caused me to have a nervous breakdown from the side effects. I went to the emergency room with shortness of breath, heart rhythm problem, extremely high blood pressure 208/120, so sick I couldn't stand up. The doctors gave me psychotic medicine and sent me home. At home, I almost lost my mind and was sent back to the emergency room, this time they gave me Benadryl, and I stopped taking all the prescribed meds, and I started feeling better. Sent to my primary doctor, he recommended this drug, and it has been working until the pharmacy tells me they can no longer get it for me. So I will be going without meds because the pharmacist says he can't get any more from this manufacturer."

6 / 10
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37 Report
  • Pam
  • Taken for less than 1 month
  • May 24, 2023

For High Blood Pressure "Horrible medicine. I had only been on this for 5 days but they are now they are in the garbage. The side effects I have had are severe. Sharp jabbing pains under the rib cage, very bad back and joint pain, EXTREME tiredness, headache, and severe cotton mouth. I can't believe doctors still prescribe this. To the doctors: read patient reviews and warn your patients prior to prescribing! Instead of using this medication try eating three kiwi fruit a day and a couple of glasses of beet juice. That does a better job of lowering blood pressure with no side effects and is overall better for your health. It worked for me!"

1 / 10
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13 Report
  • Franj...
  • Taken for 6 months to 1 year
  • July 1, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I have been on a lot of this type of medication. Benicar almost did me in, and I was traveling far from home. Different doctors have prescribed a lot of different meds. I cannot take this type of pill. I almost become crippled with chlorthalidone. It weakens my knees, legs, and ankles. I am a type II diabetic on insulin. My morning glucose tests run between 230 and 246."

3 / 10
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57 Report
  • andycl
  • May 12, 2016

For High Blood Pressure "I am male, mid-50s, and have taken many hypertension meds, most with some level of side effects. I have settled on 2 with positive side effects that work okay (captopril and amlodipine) and chlorthalidone, with no side effects that I am aware of, and which pounds the numbers down the most. One of the most highly regarded medicine trials, called ALLHAT, found this to be the best. Not sure why it's not one of the first to be prescribed."

10 / 10
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48 Report
  • Explo...
  • May 6, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "It brought down blood pressure, but the side effects were bad, e.g., severe headache, cramping, and diarrhea, so not worth taking. I had no energy, which made it hard to even go to work. I stopped taking these as the side effects made it not worthwhile."

4 / 10
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43 Report
  • amelia...
  • April 16, 2009

For Edema "I have tried this medication but in the Spanish version (clortalidona), and it works miracles. I love it because I have a lot of fluid retention. I take it 1-2 times a week, and I feel a lot lighter. You can really tell the difference."

10 / 10
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73 Report
  • Anonymous
  • November 4, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "The doctor prescribed me this medication for my elevated blood pressure, mostly due to my anxiety. I only took the pill for 2 days before ending up in the hospital for an extreme heart rate. I stopped taking the pill but suffered with a fast heart rate for the next 2 days."

1 / 10
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38 Report
  • Flami...
  • June 19, 2014

For High Blood Pressure "I was already diabetic with hypomagnesia issues, hypercholesterolemia, and only a slightly elevated BP of 130/80 in the doctor's office (117/70 outside). My diabetes was well-controlled, but after 3 days on this medication at 25 mg, I had doubled (yes, double) my fasting levels and was having significant muscle cramps. This was the only change."

1 / 10
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50 Report

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.