Chlorthalidone or Hydrochlorothiazide for Treatment of Hypertension

Thiazide diuretics chlorthalidone (CLTD) and hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) have been a mainstay of the therapy of primary hypertension (HTN).1 As a class of medications, thiazide diuretics inhibit sodium-chloride cotransporters at the distal tubule of the nephron, which reabsorbs approximately 10% of the filtered sodium load.2 The initial hypotensive effect of thiazides is attributable to a decrease in sodium and water reabsorption and a reduction in intravascular volume. However, the early fall in blood pressure (BP) becomes partially reversed by hypovolemia-triggered activation of the renin-angiotensin-aldosterone response and partial restoration of the plasma volume to near-normal levels.
Source: The Journal for Nurse Practitioners - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Prescription Pad Source Type: research