Prescription medication · Thiazide Diuretic
hydrochlorothiazide
Also sold as Microzide.
Data updated 2026-05-15
- 140,497
- FDA reportsHeavily reported
- 31
- InteractionsSeveral interactions
- In shortage
- FDA status
What the data shows
hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) is a prescription Thiazide Diuretic, more reported than roughly 9 in 10 tracked drugs (140,497 FDA reports), with 31 documented drug interactions.
Reporting volume reflects how widely a drug is used and studied, not how dangerous it is, a FAERS report documents a temporal association, never proof of cause.
Verify with FDA → · CMS NADAC pricing →
Drug Shortage Alert
hydrochlorothiazide is currently listed as to be discontinued by the FDA. Affected manufacturer: Teva Pharmaceuticals USA, Inc..
View all drug shortages →Drug Pricing (NADAC)
Generic Price
$0.03/unit
Generic Available
Yes (15 manufacturers)
Pricing data from NADAC (CMS), effective December 18, 2024. Compare all drug costs →
What it does
Information not available.
Common side effects
Dizziness, Headache, Cough
Key warnings
No specific warnings noted. Always follow your prescriber's instructions.
Side Effects (from patient reports)
Based on 140,497 FDA adverse event reports.
Most-reported reactions
Adverse reactions in FAERS for hydrochlorothiazide, by number of reports
- Tiredness
Tiredness
10,013 reports
- Feeling sick to your stomach
Feeling sick to your stomach
9,706 reports
- Loose stools
Loose stools
8,311 reports
- Discomfort
Discomfort
7,665 reports
- Difficulty breathing
Difficulty breathing
7,584 reports
- Head pain
Head pain
7,516 reports
- Feeling lightheaded
Feeling lightheaded
7,310 reports
- Joint pain
Joint pain
6,080 reports
- Weakness
Weakness
5,629 reports
- Accidental fall
Accidental fall
5,550 reports
What this shows Bars show how often each reaction was reported, not how likely it is to happen, a report records a temporal association, never proof that the drug caused it.
Reports over time
Adverse-event reports filed for hydrochlorothiazide each year to the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS).
Year-to-year volume tracks usage, prescribing, and scrutiny, not a change in per-patient risk. Source: FDA FAERS.
Where hydrochlorothiazide sits
hydrochlorothiazide has more FDA adverse-event reports than 91% of the drugs FAERS tracks. A high position reflects how widely a drug is used and watched, not how dangerous it is.
Percentile across all drugs PlainMeds tracks by FAERS report volume. The dot is hydrochlorothiazide; the line is the median (50th percentile).
FDA Adverse Event Report Analysis
Detailed analysis of 140,497 reports from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Reports span 1998–2025.
Total Reports
140,497
Reports Mentioning Death
9,873
7.0% of reports — not proof of cause
Hospitalization Reports
48,508
Top Indication
Product Used For Unknown Indication
Gender Distribution
Age Distribution
Most Reported Adverse Reactions (FAERS)
| # | Reaction | Reports |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | FATIGUE | 10,014 |
| 2 | NAUSEA | 9,709 |
| 4 | DIARRHOEA | 8,311 |
| 5 | PAIN | 7,663 |
| 6 | DYSPNOEA | 7,582 |
| 7 | HEADACHE | 7,515 |
| 8 | DIZZINESS | 7,308 |
| 9 | ARTHRALGIA | 6,083 |
| 11 | ASTHENIA | 5,628 |
| 12 | FALL | 5,543 |
| 13 | VOMITING | 5,513 |
| 14 | MALAISE | 5,202 |
| 15 | ACUTE KIDNEY INJURY | 4,828 |
| 16 | HYPERTENSION | 4,765 |
| 17 | COUGH | 4,377 |
Reactions in Death Reports
Reactions in Hospitalization Reports
Source: FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) FDA FAERS (Adverse Event Reporting System) Reports are voluntary and do not establish causation
Known Drug Interactions
Dual Blockade of the Renin-Angiotensin System (RAS): Dual blockade of the RAS with angiotensin receptor blockers, ACE inhibitors, or direct renin inhibitors (such as aliskiren) is associated with increased risk of hypotension, syncope, hyperkalemia, and changes in renal function (including acute renal failure) compared to monotherapy. Do not coadminister aliskiren with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in patients with diabetes. Avoid use of aliskiren with PRINZIDE in patients with renal impairment (GFR <60 ml/min).
Mechanism: Using these drugs together blocks the body's blood pressure control system too much, which can hurt the kidneys or cause high potassium levels.
What to do: Avoid this combination if you have diabetes or kidney problems, and talk to your doctor about safer options.
Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and electrolytes in patients on lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and other agents that affect the RAS. Do not coadminister aliskiren with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in patients with diabetes. No meaningful clinically important pharmacokinetic interactions occurred when lisinopril was used concomitantly with propranolol, digoxin, or hydrochlorothiazide.
Mechanism: Both of these medicines can cause your body to lose too much water and salt, which can lead to dehydration or electrolyte imbalances.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure and salt levels closely to ensure they stay in a healthy range.
Monitor blood pressure, renal function, and electrolytes in patients on lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets and other agents that affect the RAS. Do not coadminister aliskiren with lisinopril and hydrochlorothiazide tablets in patients with diabetes. No meaningful clinically important pharmacokinetic interactions occurred when lisinopril was used concomitantly with propranolol, digoxin, or hydrochlorothiazide.
Mechanism: These drugs work in different ways to lower blood pressure and do not interfere with how the body breaks each other down.
What to do: Your healthcare provider should regularly check your blood pressure, kidney function, and salt levels while you are on both medications.
7 DRUG INTERACTIONS Lithium: Risk of lithium toxicity ( 7.2 ) Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs): Reduced diuretic, natriuretic and antihypotensive effects; increased risk of renal toxicity ( 7.3 ) Dual inhibition of the renin-angiotensin system: Increased risk of renal impairment, hypotension, and hyperkalemia ( 7.4 ) Colesevelam hydrochloride: Consider administering olmesartan at least 4 hours before colesevelam hydrochloride dose ( 7.5 ) Antidiabetic drugs: Dosage adjustment may be required ( 7.6 ) Cholestyramine and colestipol: Reduced absorption of thiazides ( 7.6 ) 7.1...
Mechanism: Both drugs work to lower blood pressure, which can increase the risk of your blood pressure dropping too low or your kidney function changing.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your blood pressure and kidney health regularly while you are taking this combination.
The VA NEPHRON trial enrolled 1448 patients with type 2 diabetes, elevated urinary-albumin-to-creatinine ratio, and decreased estimated glomerular filtration rate (GFR 30 to 89.9 ml/min), randomized them to lisinopril or placebo on a background of losartan therapy and followed them for a median of 2.2 years. Patients receiving the combination of losartan and lisinopril did not obtain any additional benefit compared to monotherapy for the combined endpoint of decline in GFR, end state renal disease, or death, but experienced an increased incidence of hyperkalemia and acute kidney injury...
Mechanism: Combining these types of blood pressure medicines can increase the risk of kidney damage and high potassium levels.
What to do: Your doctor should monitor your kidney function and potassium levels closely if these drugs are used together.
This is a plain-language summary of interactions documented in FDA labeling, not individualized advice. Ask a pharmacist or prescriber before combining medications.
Common Questions
What are the common side effects of hydrochlorothiazide?
Does hydrochlorothiazide interact with other medications?
What drug class is hydrochlorothiazide?
Has hydrochlorothiazide been recalled?
Is hydrochlorothiazide currently in shortage?
Active Recalls
cGMP Deviations: recall due to not meeting the N-Nitroso Bisoprolol impurity specification limits.
Unichem Pharmaceuticals USA Inc.
Cross Contamination with Other Products: Testing of reserve samples showed presence of traces of ezetimibe
Glenmark Pharmaceuticals Inc., USA
GCMP Deviations: FDA analysis confirmed presence of trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) found in the API used to manufacture the product.
Mylan Laboratories Limited, (Nashik FDF)
GCMP Deviations: FDA analysis confirmed presence of trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) found in the API used to manufacture the product.
Mylan Laboratories Limited, (Nashik FDF)
GCMP Deviations: FDA analysis confirmed presence of trace amounts of an impurity, N-nitrosodiethylamine (NDEA) found in the API used to manufacture the product.
Mylan Laboratories Limited, (Nashik FDF)
CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.
A-S Medication Solutions LLC.
CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.
Teva Pharmaceuticals USA
CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.
Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc
CGMP Deviations: Carcinogen impurity detected in API used to manufacture drug product.
Prinston Pharmaceutical Inc
Related Medications in Thiazide Diuretic
Other drugs grouped near hydrochlorothiazide - same-class peers and common alternatives.
acebutolol
Sectral
Acebutolol is a medicine that helps lower blood pressure and control irregular heartbeats.
Compare with hydrochlorothiazide →
aliskiren
Tekturna
Tekturna is a medicine used to treat high blood pressure.
Compare with hydrochlorothiazide →
amiloride
Midamor
Amiloride is a water pill that helps your body hold onto potassium.
Compare with hydrochlorothiazide →
amlodipine
Norvasc
Amlodipine (Norvasc) is a drug that lowers blood pressure and treats chest pain.
Compare with hydrochlorothiazide →
amlodipine/benazepril
Lotrel
Lotrel is a combination medicine that contains amlodipine and benazepril.
Compare with hydrochlorothiazide →
Medication Guides
Understanding Drug Interactions
How CYP450 enzymes, inhibitors, and inducers affect your medications
Generic vs Brand Name Drugs
FDA requirements, cost savings, and when the difference matters
Narrow Therapeutic Index Drugs
Why some drugs demand precise dosing and monitoring
Common Drug Interactions
Dangerous medication combinations and how to protect yourself
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What the FDA Data Shows for hydrochlorothiazide
The FDA label for hydrochlorothiazide (sold under brand names such as Microzide) classifies it as a prescription-only medication in the Thiazide Diuretic class. Regulatory labeling describes its approved uses and the patient populations studied in pre-market trials. Official labeling lists 4 commonly reported side effects, including Dizziness, Headache, Cough.
Post-market surveillance from the FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) captures real-world experience. For this drug, FAERS contains 140,497 voluntary reports. The database also lists 31 documented drug interactions derived from FDA labeling, with the top-flagged interaction rated major severity. NADAC pricing from CMS shows a generic unit cost of $0.03.
Report counts do not establish causation, a FAERS entry documents a temporal association, not proof that the drug produced the outcome. Widely prescribed medications naturally accumulate more reports than niche therapies, so raw totals must be interpreted alongside total exposure. Shortage status, recall history (currently 11 recall records on file), and patent information further shape supply and switching decisions. This page summarizes public FDA data for educational purposes only and is not a substitute for professional medical advice, always consult a licensed healthcare provider before starting, stopping, or changing any medication.
Data Sources
Drug labeling: FDA Drug Labels (SPL/DailyMed). Adverse events: FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS). Pricing: CMS National Average Drug Acquisition Cost (NADAC). Shortage status: FDA Drug Shortages Database.
FAERS reports are voluntary and do not establish causation. Drug interactions are derived from FDA labeling and clinical references. Always consult a healthcare professional before making medication decisions.
Last updated: June 29, 2023
Read our methodology - how this data is sourced, computed, and verified.
Data currency: FDA FAERS adverse-event reports through 2025, CMS NADAC acquisition-cost pricing effective December 2024, compiled and last refreshed May 2026. See our methodology for per-source dates and refresh cadence. Spot a figure that looks wrong? Report a correction.
All federal data sources used on this page
- FDA Orange Book - approved drug products with therapeutic equivalence. accessdata.fda.gov/cder/ob
- FDA DailyMed - NIH-hosted drug labeling for FDA-approved meds. dailymed.nlm.nih.gov
- FDA Adverse Event Reporting System (FAERS) - post-marketing safety surveillance. fda.gov/drugs/faers
- NLM RxNorm - standardized clinical drug nomenclature. nlm.nih.gov/research/umls/rxnorm
- CMS Medicare Part B Drug Average Sales Price Files - federal drug pricing data. cms.gov/medicare/part-b-drugs/asp
- FDA Drug Shortages Database - current and resolved drug shortage tracking. accessdata.fda.gov/drugshortages