Methyclothiazide (Methyclothiazide Tablet 5 mg) Drug Information: Clinical Pharmacology

Pill Identifier Search

May 27, 2012

Methyclothiazide

Diuretics »

What are diuretics and how do they work?

The amount of fluid (water) retained by the body is controlled primarily by the kidneys. This occurs due to the kidney's ability to control the retention and elimination of sodium and chloride, because the amounts of sodium, chloride, and water in the body are carefully balanced. Thus, if sodium and chloride are eliminated from the body, water also is eliminated. Conversely, if sodium and chloride are retained by the body, so is water.

The elimination of sodium, chloride, and water from the body is somewhat complex. In the kidneys, sodium, chloride, and other small molecules are filtered out of the blood and into the tubules of the kidney where urine is formed. Most of the sodium, chloride, and water are reabsorbed into the blood before the filtered fluid leaves the kidney in the form of urine. To make matters even more complex, there are different mechanisms that are active in different parts of the tu...

Read the Diuretics article »

« Previous
1
2
3
4
5
6
7
8
9
10
Next »

Methyclothiazide User Reviews >>

Methyclothiazide

High Blood Pressure (Hypertension) Slideshow

Take the Salt Quiz!

Lowering Blood Pressure Exercise Tips Pictures

font size

CLINICAL PHARMACOLOGY

The diuretic and saluretic effects of methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) result from a drug-induced inhibition of renal tubular reabsorption of electrolytes. The excretion of sodium and chloride is greatly enhanced. Potassium excretion is also enhanced to a variable degree, as it is with the other thiazides. Although urinary excretion of bicarbonate is increased slightly, there is usually no significant change in urinary pH. Methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) has a per mg natriuretic activity approximately 100 times that of the prototype thiazide, chlorothiazide. At maximal therapeutic dosages, all thiazides are approximately equal in their diuretic/natriuretic effects.

There is significant natriuresis and diuresis within two hours after administration of a single dose of methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) . These effects reach a peak in about six hours and persist for 24 hours following oral administration of a single dose.

Like other benzothiadiazines, methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) also has antihypertensive properties, and may be used for this purpose either alone or to enhance the antihypertensive action of other drugs. The mechanism by which the benzothiadiazines, including methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) , produce a reduction of elevated blood pressure is not known. However, sodium depletion appears to be involved.

Methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide (methyclothiazide tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) tablet 5 mg) is rapidly absorbed and slowly eliminated by the kidneys as intact drug but primarily as an inactive metabolite. Additional information on the pharmacokinetics is not known at this time.

Last reviewed on RxList: 6/4/2009
This monograph has been modified to include the generic and brand name in many instances.