Two medicines, side by side
Indapamide vs chlorthalidone
Indapamide and chlorthalidone are both labeled for high blood pressure, heart failure and edema (fluid retention). Drugs@FDA records approvals of indapamide since 1983 and of chlorthalidone since 1960. Pharmacies paid $0.109 per indapamide 1.25 mg tablet and $0.0743 per chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet (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.
Check it at the source: the indapamide FDA label on DailyMed (effective October 1, 2022); the chlorthalidone FDA label on DailyMed (effective August 5, 2026).
Highlights of the indapamide record
Indapamide (Lozol) · label of October 1, 2022
Used for
From the label: indicationsIndapamide tablets are indicated for the treatment of hypertension, alone or in combination with other antihypertensive drugs. Indapamide tablets are also indicated for the treatment of salt and fluid retention associated with congestive heart failure. Usage in Pregnancy: The routine use of diuretics in an otherwise healthy woman is inappropriate and exposes mother and fetus to unnecessary hazard (see PRECAUTIONS ). […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- July 6, 1983
- Generic labelers
- 8 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.109 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- No current entry
- Recalls
- 0
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
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Indapamide label of October 1, 2022, Chlorthalidone label of August 5, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do indapamide and chlorthalidone differ on the record?
Both are in FDA's class thiazide-like diuretics.
Half-life, in each label's words: Indapamide, “The half-life of indapamide in whole blood is approximately 14 hours.”; Chlorthalidone, “The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours.”
Generics: indapamide since 1995; chlorthalidone since 1981 (Drugs@FDA).
| Indapamide | Chlorthalidone | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | High blood pressure, Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention) | High blood pressure, Heart failure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Thiazide-like Diuretic | Thiazide-like Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The half-life of indapamide in whole blood is approximately 14 hours. | The mean half-life following a 50 to 200 mg dose is 40 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 6, 1983 | April 7, 1960 |
| First generic approved | July 27, 1995 | February 26, 1981 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 8 labelers | 36 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.109 per tablet (Indapamide 1.25 mg tablet) | $0.0743 per tablet (Chlorthalidone 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +9% | -12% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | No current entry | No current entry |
| Recalls recorded | 0 | 5 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 17,817 | 11,545 |
| 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 indapamide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions