Chlorothiazide sodium (Diuril®) is a diuretic used within the hospital setting or for personal use to manage excess fluid associated with congestive heart failure. It is also used as an antihypertensive.

Most often taken in pill form, it is usually taken orally once or twice a day. In the ICU setting, chlorothiazide is given to diurese a patient in addition to furosemide (Lasix®). Working in a separate mechanism than furosemide, and abosrbed enterically as a reconstituted suspension administered through a NG tube, the two drugs potentiate one another without risk of toxicity. Because it is absorbed enterically there are no risks associated with chlorothiazide as there are with furosemide administration.

Indications

• Large amount of excess fluid including:
  • Diagnosed congested heart failure
  • Pedal edema
  • Rales / Ronchi
  • Hypertension