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How To Wean Off Hydrochlorothiazide?
Question: Hi, I'd like to wean off hydrochlorothiazide. I have been taking 25mg daily for high blood pressure for about 3 years. I have been exercising and controlling my diet. I gradually stopped taking it over the past 2 weeks but started to swell up like a balloon the past few days. I took the pill yesterday and lost 6 pounds of water wait in the past 24 hours. How can I get off this drug?
Brief Answer:
Talk to your doctor about cause of excess fluid!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this fluid accumulation. This drug is made to help the kidneys send out excess water that for one reason or the other stagnates in the body. Unless the cause of this fluid overload is adequately addressed, there is no way to get off this drug as every attempt would result in fluid retention and eight gain. Low salt intake and limited water intake would help with the fluid retention but all by themselves they are largely insufficient. You must have also noticed this as you tried getting of this HCTZ
My plan is this...Talk to your doctor about the reasons why this drug was prescribed and if they have been corrected. If not, stick to it why the main disease condition is addressed. If there are any side effects that make you want to go off this drug, please report so that we can address the and let you continue on this drug or propose a substitute.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications should need be.
Talk to your doctor about cause of excess fluid!
Detailed Answer:
Hi and thank you so much for this query.
I am so sorry to hear about this fluid accumulation. This drug is made to help the kidneys send out excess water that for one reason or the other stagnates in the body. Unless the cause of this fluid overload is adequately addressed, there is no way to get off this drug as every attempt would result in fluid retention and eight gain. Low salt intake and limited water intake would help with the fluid retention but all by themselves they are largely insufficient. You must have also noticed this as you tried getting of this HCTZ
My plan is this...Talk to your doctor about the reasons why this drug was prescribed and if they have been corrected. If not, stick to it why the main disease condition is addressed. If there are any side effects that make you want to go off this drug, please report so that we can address the and let you continue on this drug or propose a substitute.
I hope this helps. I wish you well. Thank you so much for using our services and do feel free to ask for more information and clarifications should need be.
Above answer was peer-reviewed by :
Dr. Chakravarthy Mazumdar
I have read many posts on the internet by people who have stopped taking this med and said they gained 20-30 pounds of water weight but after about 3-4 weeks it went away. (http://www.myfitnesspal.com/topics/show/846487-need-advice-with-rebound-water-retention) My goal is to get off of this med, reduce my blood pressure which it is now in normal range and NOT go on any other substitute. I was hoping for an answer on how to avoid the water weight gain when going off this med.
Brief Answer:
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Please, what this drug does is to increase urine output and reduce the amount of water that is normally supposed to be in the dy. In a way, this drug is distorting the normal water balance to achieve the goal of a lower water volumes in the body.
Your blood pressure is normal, nit because you are no longer hypertensive but because this drug is effective. That is the main reason why you are feeling a lot better. To be honest, should you get off this medication and not replace it, you would for sure witness an up rise in your blood pressure numbers.
If you really don't want water retention, then the best way is to avoid drinking. Keep it to minimal levels but the body would also tend to cut down on urine production causing accumulation over time.
I am so sorry but this is what is actually happening. I wish you well and would be glad to address any further concerns should you have any.
See below!
Detailed Answer:
Please, what this drug does is to increase urine output and reduce the amount of water that is normally supposed to be in the dy. In a way, this drug is distorting the normal water balance to achieve the goal of a lower water volumes in the body.
Your blood pressure is normal, nit because you are no longer hypertensive but because this drug is effective. That is the main reason why you are feeling a lot better. To be honest, should you get off this medication and not replace it, you would for sure witness an up rise in your blood pressure numbers.
If you really don't want water retention, then the best way is to avoid drinking. Keep it to minimal levels but the body would also tend to cut down on urine production causing accumulation over time.
I am so sorry but this is what is actually happening. I wish you well and would be glad to address any further concerns should you have any.
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
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