Hydrochlorothiazide / triamterene and Confusion: What Users Say

• I...
• January 28, 2017

For High Blood Pressure "This medicine nearly killed me, and I'm a healthy 33-year-old woman who was on it for 4 days. I was prescribed 50 mg of hydrochlorothiazide to take instead of 50 mg atenolol, which had been giving me side effects. By day 4, I was incredibly weak, mentally foggy/confused, and had severe body aches. I also started experiencing chest pains, so I went to the ER, and my EKG showed an abnormal arrhythmia. It turns out my potassium had dropped to below 2.5, which can be life-threatening. I was given 2 IV bags of potassium, 2 more bags of fluids, and kept overnight. I was fine in the morning (normal EKG and electrolytes), but I was told one more day on that med could have been fatal. Be careful on this drug."

• Eli...
• Taken for 6 months to 1 year
• January 22, 2016

For Edema "I have been on this medication for a few months now, for the second time. Both times I have developed severe headaches, dizziness, confusion, and nausea. It takes off some water weight, but I'm still fairly swollen, and this time my blood pressure has increased. Just learned that it can affect blood sugar levels. I don't think I will be taking this medication again."

• JLH...
• Taken for 10 years or more
• May 17, 2022

For Edema "Been taking Tri/HCTZ only half a tab of 37.5/25 for years to help with hypertension. Take Lisinopril for that also. If I take more than half a tab, get pretty 'dizzy,' anxious, and confused. Does help with the edema, but not quite enough with that low of a dose."