Two medicines, side by side
Chlorthalidone vs furosemide
Chlorthalidone and furosemide are both labeled for high blood pressure, heart failure and edema (fluid retention). Drugs@FDA records approvals of chlorthalidone since 1960 and of furosemide since 1966. Pharmacies paid $0.0743 per chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet and $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Chlorthalidone's other strengths are brand-only: $0.957 per Hemiclor 12.5 mg tablet. In FDA's classes, chlorthalidone is a thiazide-like diuretic and furosemide a loop diuretic.
Check it at the source: the chlorthalidone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026); the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025).
Highlights of the chlorthalidone record
Chlorthalidone (Hygroton) · label of August 5, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsDiuretics such as chlorthalidone are indicated in the management of hypertension either as the sole therapeutic agent or to enhance the effect of other antihypertensive drugs in the more severe forms of hypertension. Chlorthalidone is indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- April 7, 1960
- Generic labelers
- 36 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0743 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 5
Highlights of the furosemide record
Furosemide (Lasix) · label of September 30, 2025
Used for
From the label: indicationsEdema LASIX is indicated in adults and pediatric patients for the treatment of edema associated with congestive heart failure, cirrhosis of the liver, and renal disease, including the nephrotic syndrome. LASIX is particularly useful when an agent with greater diuretic potential is desired. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 1, 1966
- Generic labelers
- 52 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.490 per mL
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- In shortage
- Recalls
- 8
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Chlorthalidone label of August 5, 2026, Furosemide label of September 30, 2025); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do chlorthalidone and furosemide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, chlorthalidone is a thiazide-like diuretic and furosemide a loop diuretic.
Half-life, in each label's words: Chlorthalidone, “The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours.”; Furosemide, “The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours.”
Generics: chlorthalidone since 1981; furosemide since 1985 (Drugs@FDA).
| Chlorthalidone | Furosemide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention) | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Thiazide-like Diuretic | Loop Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours. | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | April 7, 1960 | July 1, 1966 |
| First generic approved | February 26, 1981 | September 26, 1985 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 36 labelers | 52 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.0743 per tablet (Chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) |
| 12-month price change | -12% | +31% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | In shortage |
| Recalls recorded | 5 | 8 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 11,545 | 398,354 |
| DEA schedule | none | none |
Source: Drugs@FDA, FDA NDC Directory, CMS NADAC of October 7, 2026, FDA shortages and recalls, FAERS via openFDA (FDA files October 8, 2026)
What next?
- Alternatives to chlorthalidone
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions