MedlinePlus Medical Encyclopedia: Thiazide overdose

Skip navigation


Medical Encyclopedia
Other encyclopedia topics:	A-Ag Ah-Ap Aq-Az B-Bk Bl-Bz C-Cg Ch-Co Cp-Cz D-Di Dj-Dz E-Ep Eq-Ez F G H-Hf Hg-Hz I-In Io-Iz J K L-Ln Lo-Lz M-Mf Mg-Mz N O P-Pl Pm-Pz Q R S-Sh Si-Sp Sq-Sz T-Tn To-Tz U V W X Y Z 0-9

Thiazide overdose

Contents of this page:
Alternative Names Definition Poisonous Ingredient Where Found Symptoms	Home Care Before Calling Emergency Poison Control What to Expect at the Emergency Room Outlook (Prognosis)

Alternative Names

Diuretic antihypertensives overdose

Definition Return to top

This is poisoning from a thiazide diuretic, a medication used to treat high blood pressure.

Poisonous Ingredient Return to top

Thiazide and other, related diuretics used for high blood pressure (antihypertensives) may include:

Bendroflumethiazide
Benzthiazide
Chlorothiazide
Chlorthalidone
Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)
Hydroflumethiazide
Indapamide
Methyclothiazide
Metolazone
Polythiazide
Quinethazone
Trichlormethiazide

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Where Found Return to top

Bendroflumethiazide (Naturetin)
Benzthiazide (Exna)
Chlorothiazide (Diuril, Diurigen)
Chlorthalidone (Thalitone, Hygroton
Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDIURIL, Hydro-Par, Oretic)
Hydroflumethiazide (Diucardin, Saluron)
Indapamide (Lozol)
Methyclothiazide (Enduron, Aquatensen)
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn, Diulo)
Polythiazide (Renese)
Quinethazone (Hydromox)
Trichlormethiazide (Metahydrin, Naqua, Diurese)

Note: This list may not be all inclusive.

Symptoms Return to top

Breathing - slow
Coma
Confusion
Dizziness
Drowsiness
Fainting
Fever
Muscle cramps
Low blood pressure
Nausea
Photosensitivity (skin is sensitive to sunlight)
Rash
Seizures
Urination - frequent
Urine - pale-colored
Vision problems (items appear yellow)
Weakness
Yellow skin
Vomiting

Home Care Return to top

Do not induce vomiting unless instructed to do so by Poison Control or by a physician.

Before Calling Emergency Return to top

Determine the following information:

Patient's age, weight, and condition
Name of the product (ingredients and strengths, if known)
Time it was swallowed
Amount swallowed

Poison Control Return to top

The National Poison Control Center (1-800-222-1222) can be called from anywhere in the United States. This national hotline number will let you talk to experts in poisoning. They will give you further instructions.

This is a free and confidential service. All local poison control centers in the U.S. use this national number. You should call if you have any questions about poisoning or poison prevention. It does NOT need to be an emergency. You can call for any reason, 24 hours a day, 7 days a week.

Take the container with you to the hospital, if possible.

See National Poison Control center.

What to Expect at the Emergency Room Return to top

The health care provider will measure and monitor the patient's vital signs, including temperature, pulse, breathing rate, and blood pressure.

The patient may receive:

EKG
Medicines to treat symptoms
Activated charcoal
Methods to make the person throw up
Blood tests to determine serum electrolyte levels
Medicines to correct fluid and electrolyte imbalances

Outlook (Prognosis) Return to top

Patients usually respond well to treatment. Serious symptoms and death are unlikely.

Update Date: 4/4/2006

Updated by: Janeen R. Azare, PhD, MSPH, Department of Medicine, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY. Review provided by VeriMed Healthcare Network.

The information provided herein should not be used during any medical emergency or for the diagnosis or treatment of any medical condition. A licensed physician should be consulted for diagnosis and treatment of any and all medical conditions. Call 911 for all medical emergencies. Links to other sites are provided for information only -- they do not constitute endorsements of those other sites. Copyright 1997-2008, A.D.A.M., Inc. Any duplication or distribution of the information contained herein is strictly prohibited.