Sign-in to Ask A Doctor - 24x7
OR
Sign in with Google
How Long Does The Effect Of Thiazide Last?
Question: I was wondering for a lower dosage of a diabetic like thiazide, how often does a person have to urinate (every hour?) and for how many hours does this gone on (3, 4?). For example, if taken at 5:00 p.m. in the afternoon, how long into the evening does the need to urinate continue?
Brief Answer:
a few hours to a few days!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the effect of thiazides depend on the particular thiazide that each patient is prescribed and individual differences. For example hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) which is very commonly used starts to act about a couple of hours after use, reaches its peak action at 4 hours and lasts for 6-12 hours. Chlorthalidone which is probably a better drug for hypertension has a much longer action. It starts to act after a couple of hours (much like HCT) but may last for up to 72 hours (3 days) ! Diuretics are better taken in the morning to avoid having too much urine during the night.
Regarding urine production, it depends on the patient's hydration status and response to the drug. It can't be predicted and I can't say how often you are going to need the WC.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
a few hours to a few days!
Detailed Answer:
Hello,
the effect of thiazides depend on the particular thiazide that each patient is prescribed and individual differences. For example hydrochlorothiazide (HCT) which is very commonly used starts to act about a couple of hours after use, reaches its peak action at 4 hours and lasts for 6-12 hours. Chlorthalidone which is probably a better drug for hypertension has a much longer action. It starts to act after a couple of hours (much like HCT) but may last for up to 72 hours (3 days) ! Diuretics are better taken in the morning to avoid having too much urine during the night.
Regarding urine production, it depends on the patient's hydration status and response to the drug. It can't be predicted and I can't say how often you are going to need the WC.
I hope you find my comments helpful!
You can contact me again, if you'd like any clarification or further information.
Kind Regards!
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I don't understand comment about Chlorthalidone taken as a daily pill lasting three days? You can't go to sleep?
Brief Answer:
sure you can
Detailed Answer:
Of course you can go to sleep with any of the diuretics. But some diuretics have short and others have long duration of action. Taking a diuretic does not usually mean that you'll have to pass urine every hour or so. If you take it at bedtime though you may have to go 4-5 times during the night (do not take the numbers literally, in your case it may be less or more). And although chlorthalidone's action may last for up to 3 days, it's not going to make your kidneys produce so much urine during all those 3 days. The urine production gets less and less as time goes by.
I hope it's more clear now!
Kind Regards!
sure you can
Detailed Answer:
Of course you can go to sleep with any of the diuretics. But some diuretics have short and others have long duration of action. Taking a diuretic does not usually mean that you'll have to pass urine every hour or so. If you take it at bedtime though you may have to go 4-5 times during the night (do not take the numbers literally, in your case it may be less or more). And although chlorthalidone's action may last for up to 3 days, it's not going to make your kidneys produce so much urine during all those 3 days. The urine production gets less and less as time goes by.
I hope it's more clear now!
Kind Regards!
Note: For more detailed guidance, please consult an Internal Medicine Specialist, with your latest reports. Click here..
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
Answered by
Get personalised answers from verified doctor in minutes across 80+ specialties
