Two medicines, side by side
Furosemide vs hydrochlorothiazide
Furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide are both labeled for high blood pressure, heart failure and edema (fluid retention). Drugs@FDA records approvals of furosemide since 1966 and of hydrochlorothiazide since 1959. Pharmacies paid $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) and $0.0115 per hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet (NADAC, October 7, 2026); the strengths differ, so the two prices are not like for like. Hydrochlorothiazide's other strengths are brand-only: $4.46 per mL (Inzirqo 10 mg/mL oral suspension). In FDA's classes, furosemide is a loop diuretic and hydrochlorothiazide a thiazide diuretic.
Check it at the source: the furosemide FDA label on DailyMed (effective September 30, 2025); the hydrochlorothiazide FDA label on DailyMed (effective June 12, 2026).
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
Highlights of the hydrochlorothiazide record
Hydrochlorothiazide (Inzirqo) · label of June 12, 2026
Used for
From the label: indicationsHydrochlorothiazide tablets USP are indicated as adjunctive therapy in edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and corticosteroid and estrogen therapy. Hydrochlorothiazide tablets USP have also been found useful in edema due to various forms of renal dysfunction such as nephrotic syndrome, acute glomerulonephritis, and chronic renal failure. […]
On the market
- Earliest approval on file
- February 12, 1959
- Generic labelers
- 43 labelers
- Pharmacy cost
- $0.0115 per tablet
Supply and safety
- Shortage
- A presentation being discontinued
- Recalls
- 7
Source: FDA drug labels via openFDA (Furosemide label of September 30, 2025, Hydrochlorothiazide label of June 12, 2026); NDC Directory, Drugs@FDA, NADAC, FDA shortages and recalls (October 8, 2026)
How do furosemide and hydrochlorothiazide differ on the record?
In FDA's classes, furosemide is a loop diuretic and hydrochlorothiazide a thiazide diuretic.
Half-life, in each label's words: Furosemide, “The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours.”; Hydrochlorothiazide, “When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 …”
Generics: furosemide since 1985; hydrochlorothiazide since 1973 (Drugs@FDA).
| Furosemide | Hydrochlorothiazide | |
|---|---|---|
| Labeled for | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) | Heart failure, High blood pressure, Edema (fluid retention) |
| Pharmacologic class | Loop Diuretic | Thiazide Diuretic |
| How it works (label) | n/a | n/a |
| Half-life (label) | The terminal half-life of furosemide is approximately 2 hours. | When plasma levels have been followed for at least 24 hours, the plasma half-life has been observed to vary between 5.6 and 14.8 hours. |
| Earliest approval on file (Drugs@FDA) | July 1, 1966 | February 12, 1959 |
| First generic approved | September 26, 1985 | January 12, 1973 |
| Generic labelers (NDC) | 52 labelers | 43 labelers |
| Pharmacy cost (NADAC, each one's most listed form; strengths differ) | $0.490 per mL (Furosemide 20 mg/2 mL vial) | $0.0115 per tablet (Hydrochlorothiazide 25 mg tablet) |
| 12-month price change | +31% | -7% |
| Boxed warning | No | No |
| Shortage now | In shortage | A presentation being discontinued |
| Recalls recorded | 8 | 7 |
| FAERS reports (a report is not proof of cause; counts follow how widely a medicine is used) | 398,354 | 144,413 |
| 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 furosemide
- every medicine labeled for the same conditions