What Are The Repercussions Of Missing Four Day's Hydrochlorothiazide Course?

Posted on Sat, 22 Oct 2016

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Sat, 22 Oct 2016 Answered on

Wed, 9 Nov 2016 Last reviewed on

Question : I forgot to pack my hydrochlorothiazide, and will miss four doses.... BP has been well controlled---133-138/60---by this diuretic and ramipril (which I did pack). Am I at any risk?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (33 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
probably not but can't say for sure

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

stopping hydrochlorothiazide may affect your blood pressure and the fluid balance. In most patients it won't make a huge difference. In other patients it may be crucial. For example in patients with heart failure fluid accumulation (not excreted with a diuretic) may impose additional load on the weak heart muscle. The same applies for a high blood pressure. The higher the blood pressure, the higher the load on the heart muscle. If this is not the case with you, then your risk for complications is low. Otherwise you should buy some hydrochlorothiazide which is not expensive and should be fairly easy to find.

I hope it helps!
Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar

Follow up: Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (5 hours later)

But hydrochlorothiazide is a prescription drug! Is there an OTC substitute?

Answered by Dr. Panagiotis Zografakis (4 hours later)

Brief Answer:
I don't know...

Detailed Answer:
It depends on where you are right now, I guess. In my country (although not legal) most pharmacists would provide patients with drugs like hydrochlorothiazide. If you're in the US, it's likely than you won't find it, but you should ask your pharmacist anyway.

Kind Regards!

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar