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Other brands with the same active ingredient
These brands contain the same active ingredient (Chlorthalidone). Strength and form may differ — confirm substitution with your doctor or pharmacist before switching.
Indications & Uses
Unichlor is indicated for:
Dosage Reference
Reference Information Only
Dosages shown are general references from official sources. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized dosing.
Adults:
Therapy should begin with the lowest possible dose, then be adjusted gradually to gain the greatest therapeutic benefit while keeping side effects to a minimum (for example, finding the minimum effective maintenance dose for each patient). A single dose taken once daily or every other day, in the morning with food, is recommended. Hypertension: The usual adult dose is 25 to 50 mg daily, with a clinically useful range of 12.5 to 50 mg daily. Doses above 50 mg per day increase the risk of metabolic complications and rarely offer added therapeutic benefit. For any given dose, the full effect is reached after 3 to 4 weeks. If the blood pressure reduction achieved with 25 or 50 mg per day proves inadequate, combining treatment with other antihypertensive drugs, such as beta blockers and ACE inhibitors, is recommended. When an ACE inhibitor is added, the Chlorthalidone dose should be reduced or stopped. Edema of Specific Origin: The lowest effective dose should be found by gradual adjustment. Maintenance doses should not exceed 50 mg per day and should be given only for limited periods. The dose should be tailored to each patient's clinical picture and response to treatment. For long-term therapy, the lowest dose that maintains an optimal effect should be used, and this is especially important for elderly patients. The therapeutic effect of Chlorthalidone occurs even without restricting salt intake and is well maintained with continued use. The elderly: This drug is suitable for treating hypertension in older adults, particularly systolic hypertension. A dose of 50 mg daily or less should be used to avoid hypovolemia and hypokalemia.
Side Effects
Electrolyte and Metabolic Disorders: Frequently seen, mainly at higher doses, are low potassium levels, raised uric acid, and increased blood lipids. Low sodium, low magnesium, and high blood sugar occur occasionally. Rarely, high calcium levels, sugar in the urine, worsening of diabetic control, and gout may be seen. In isolated cases, hypochloremic alkalosis has been reported. Dermatology: Hives and other skin rashes occur occasionally, while increased sensitivity to sunlight is rare. Liver: Rarely, this medicine may cause intrahepatic cholestasis or jaundice. Cardiovascular: A drop in blood pressure on standing may occur occasionally and can be made worse by alcohol, anesthetics, or sedatives. Irregular heartbeat is a rare effect. CNS: Dizziness, sluggish thinking, and slower reaction time occur occasionally.
Cautions & Contraindications
Warnings & Precautions
Renal impairment: In moderate renal failure, Thalin dosage should be reduced and given every 24 or 48 hours; it should not be used in advanced renal failure. Liver disease: In patients with liver cirrhosis and ascites, there is a risk of precipitating hepatic encephalopathy. Use in pregnancy: It is better to avoid Thalin, as it crosses the placenta. Use in lactation: In lactating mothers, a significant amount of Thalin enters breast milk; like other long-acting thiazides, it can suppress lactation. Thalin should not be prescribed for lactating mothers.
Contraindications
Anuria, severe renal failure (creatinine clearance lower than 30 mL/min), severe hepatic failure, refractory hypokalemia or conditions involving enhanced potassium loss, hyponatremia, hypercalcemia, symptomatic hyperuricemia (history of gout or uric acid calculi). Hypersensitivity or suspected hypersensitivity to Chlorthalidone and other sulfonamide derivatives or their excipients.Should be used with caution in patients with renal disease or with impaired hepatic function. Because of the possibility of progression of renal damage, periodic determination of the BUN and serum creatinine are indicated. Should there be an elevation of either parameter, treatment should be discontinued. Like thiazides, Chlorthalidone may lose its diuretic efficacy when glomerular filtration rate drops below 30 mL/min, a point at which treatment with loop diuretics may be more appropriate.Electrolytes: As with thiazide diuretics, kaluresis induced by Chlorthalidone is dose dependent, and there is inter-individual variability in magnitude. With 25 mg/day, serum potassium concentration decreases average 0.5 mmol/L. If chronic treatment is contemplated, serum potassium concentrations should be determined initially, and then 3 to 4 weeks later. If thereafter, potassium balance is not disturbed further, concentrations should be assessed every 4 to 6 months. Conditions that may alter potassium balance include: vomiting, diarrhea, malnutrition, change in renal function (e.g. nephrosis), liver cirrhosis, hyperaldosteronism, or concomitant use of corticosteroids or ACTH. Titrated co-administration of an oral potassium salt (e.g. KCI) may be considered in patients: receiving digitalis; exhibiting signs of coronary heart disease, unless they are also receiving an ACE inhibitor; on high doses of a beta-adrenergic agonist; whose plasma potassium concentrations are less than 3.0 mmol/L.