Examples
| Brand Name | Chemical Name |
| Thalitone | chlorthalidone |
| Esidrix, Microzide, Oretic | hydrochlorothiazide |
How It Works
Thiazides reduce the amount of calcium in the urine, which may prevent calcium kidney stones.
Why It Is Used
Thiazides may prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, especially if changing your diet and drinking more fluids have not helped.
How Well It Works
People who take thiazides get fewer than half as many calcium stones as they did before taking this medicine.1
Side Effects
Possible side effects of thiazides include:
- A decreased level of potassium in the blood.
- Frequent urination.
- Erection problems in men.
- Increased triglyceride level.
- Gout symptoms that get worse.
- Diabetes symptoms that get worse.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
You can prevent lower levels of potassium in the blood by taking potassium citrate with the thiazide.
Eating too much salt reduces the effect of thiazides.
Use of thiazides for kidney stones is an unlabeled use of these medicines. But doctors have found that thiazides safely and effectively prevent kidney stones in some people.
Complete the new medication information form (PDF)
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Credits
| Author | Monica Rhodes |
| Editor | Kathleen M. Ariss, MS |
| Associate Editor | Pat Truman |
| Primary Medical Reviewer | Adam Husney, MD - Family Medicine |
| Specialist Medical Reviewer | Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology |
| Last Updated | May 30, 2007 |
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