chlorthalidone vs indapamide
Side-by-side comparison of chlorthalidone and indapamide Data from FDA drug databases (Orange Book, NDC Directory, recalls, shortages) covering 20,000+ approved drugs, plus CMS pricing; see our methodology.
Thalitone
Lozol
Chlorthalidone is a water pill that helps lower blood pressure and reduce swelling. It works by helping your kidneys remove extra salt and water from your body.
Indapamide is a water pill that helps lower blood pressure and reduce fluid buildup in the body. It is used to treat high blood pressure and heart failure.
This medicine treats high blood pressure, either alone or with other drugs. It also helps with swelling from heart failure, liver problems, or kidney problems. Sometimes, it's used for swelling caused by steroid or estrogen treatments.
Indapamide is used to treat high blood pressure, either alone or with other medicines. It also treats fluid retention (edema) caused by congestive heart failure. It helps your body get rid of extra salt and water.
Chlorthalidone is a diuretic, which means it helps your body get rid of extra fluid. It works by acting on your kidneys to increase the amount of salt and water that you pass in your urine. This helps to lower your blood pressure and reduce swelling.
Indapamide is a diuretic, also known as a water pill. It helps your kidneys remove more salt and water from your blood, which lowers blood pressure. It also reduces fluid buildup in your body.
- • Loss of appetite
- • Upset stomach
- • Nausea
- • Vomiting
- • Cramps
- • Headache
- • Weakness
- • Constipation
- • Dizziness
- • Lightheadedness
- Tiredness 861
- Feeling sick to your stomach 704
- The medicine is not working 701
- Loose stools 643
- Feeling lightheaded 563
- Low sodium levels in the blood 1,286
- Sudden damage to the kidneys 925
- Shortness of breath 898
- Feeling unsteady or lightheaded 875
- Feeling sick to your stomach 863
If you have kidney problems where you aren't producing urine, you should not take this medicine. Also, if you are allergic to chlorthalidone or other sulfa drugs, avoid this medication.
If you have anuria (inability to urinate), you should not take this medicine. Also, you should not take this medicine if you are allergic to indapamide or other sulfa drugs.
Using water pills when you are otherwise healthy during pregnancy is not a good idea and could be risky for you and your baby. If you have swelling during pregnancy, try raising your legs and wearing support hose first. Talk to your doctor before taking this medicine while pregnant.
Talk to your doctor before taking indapamide if you are pregnant or breastfeeding. This medicine should only be used during pregnancy if it is clearly needed.
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How to Read This chlorthalidone vs indapamide Comparison
chlorthalidone is classified in the Thiazide-Like Diuretic drug class, while indapamide sits within the Thiazide-Like Diuretic class. Because both drugs share the same classification, they are often considered interchangeable in theory — but clinical outcomes rarely track that cleanly. Both drugs are prescription-only, so a licensed provider must authorize use.
Adverse event totals above are pulled from the FDA's Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). For these top-ranked reactions alone, chlorthalidone has 3,472 submissions while indapamide has 4,847. Those figures reflect cumulative reporting volume — not per-patient risk — so older, widely dispensed drugs typically look worse on count alone. No direct interaction between these two drugs is listed in our FDA-derived dataset, though co-prescription still warrants pharmacist review. Serious warnings, pregnancy guidance, and contraindications can differ even when indications overlap.
A table cannot substitute for clinical judgment. Effectiveness, tolerability, drug-drug interactions with your other medications, kidney and liver function, pregnancy status, insurance formulary, and price all feed into a decision that only a licensed prescriber can make responsibly. Data here is sourced from FDA Structured Product Labels (SPL) and FAERS, both of which update as manufacturers and clinicians submit new information. This page is for educational purposes only, is not medical advice, and should not be used to self-switch between chlorthalidone and indapamide — always consult your physician or pharmacist first.
Important: This comparison is for informational purposes only. Drug effects vary between individuals. Always consult your doctor or pharmacist for personalized medical advice.