Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used to treat edema associated with a number of conditions, and hypertension. Hydrochlorothiazide use is common but declining in favour of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitors.
- Mechanism
- Curator reviewed · 8 references
Hydrochlorothiazide is transported from the circulation into epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule by the organic anion transporters OAT1, OAT3, and OAT4. From these cells, hydrochlorothiazide is transported to the lumen of the tubule by multidrug resistance associated protein 4 (MRP4).
Normally, sodium is reabsorbed into epithelial cells of the distal convoluted tubule and pumped into the basolateral interstitium by a sodium-potassium ATPase, creating a concentration gradient between the epithelial cell and the distal convoluted tubule that promotes the reabsorption of water.
Hydrochlorothiazide acts on the proximal region of the distal convoluted tubule, inhibiting reabsorption by the sodium-chloride symporter, also known as Solute Carrier Family 12 Member 3 (SLC12A3). Inhibition of SLC12A3 reduces the magnitude of the concentration gradient between the epithelial cell and distal convoluted tubule, reducing the reabsorption of water.
- Primary indication
- Hydrochlorothiazide is indicated alone or in combination for the management of edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, chronic renal failure, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy.Curator reviewed · 46 structured indications
- Formula / weight
- C7H8ClN3O4S2 · 297.739 g/mol (avg)
- First approval
- Canada, 1997 · United States, 1959 · European Union, 2016
- Also known as
- HCTZ
- Code names
- NSC-53477 · SU-5879
- Brand names
Resolves to
JZUFKLXOESDKRF-UHFFFAOYSA-NSMILESNS(=O)(=O)C1=C(Cl)C=C2NCNS(=O)(=O)C2=C1What you can answer from here — as of September 23, 2026
Which drugs share a target with Hydrochlorothiazide, and which of those have an active Phase 3 trial?
Create a free account or log in to explore the full data card.
Create Account