Hydrochlorothiazide weight loss: Is It Safe?
This is a complete review of the prescription drug Hydrochlorothiazide for weight loss use.
In this review, you will gain access to what the medication is, how it is used for weight loss, and if it is considered safe.
This article was made to provide you with all the information you may need on the medication Hydrochlorothiazide so you can form a concrete decision. Keep on reading to learn more knowledge on the world of weight loss prescriptions and techniques.
What is Hydrochlorothiazide?
Hydrochlorothiazide is a prescription drug that comes as a tablet that you take by mouth. This medication is used to treat high blood pressure and swelling that is caused by heart failure and liver damage. By lowering high blood pressure with hydrochlorothiazide it helps prevent strokes, heart attacks, and kidney problems.
Hydrochlorothiazide is also known as a diuretic or “water pills” and works by causing your body to make more urine. This essentially helps your body get rid of all the extra salt and water, which is the main reason why people look to the drug for weight loss results.
How to use Hydrochlorothiazide
You take the medication by mouth as directed by your doctor, usually, this is once daily in the morning. The dosage is based on your specific medical condition and your bodies response to the treatment. People who use this drug need to take it regularly to get the most benefit from it, which means taking it every day at the same time.
The drug also reduces extra fluid in the body caused by conditions such as
- Heart failure
- Liver disease
- Kidney disease
Side Effects?
Hydrochlorothiazide has been known to cause mild or severe side effects. Depending on your body and how it reacts to the medication, the side effects can vary or even be non-existent. The following list contains the common mild side effects (does not include all possible side effects):
- Lower than normal blood pressure
- Dizziness
- Headache
- Tingling in hands, legs, & feet
More severe side effects:
- Mouth sores
- Severe skin reaction
- Abnormal heart rate
- Trouble seeing
- Fever
- Skin peeling and blisters
While talking about side effects when pertaining to weight loss, it is essential to state that when you are deciding to lose weight, it’s to be healthier. Taking medications that cause adverse side effects for the sole purpose of losing weight is the first red flag when looking at hydrochlorothiazide for weight loss.
How Does it Work For Weight Loss?
Hydrochlorothiazide, as we know, can significantly affect the reduction of blood pressure and improve urinary excretion of sodium. A primary “side effect” of hydrochlorothiazide that people are interested in is weight loss, and if it is actually significant.
From the data gathered on hydrochlorothiazide, there is enough evidence that suggests the medication causes a significant amount of weight loss. This doesn’t come to much surprise considering its diuretic effect on the body to excrete sodium and water weight.
The amount of weight loss reported in the studies done on hydrochlorothiazide ranges from 1.01 lbs to 14.77 lbs. However, this type of weight loss varies depending on:
- preexisting water retention
- medical diagnosis
- dosage amount
- duration of treatment
- concurrent medication use
This states the fact that hydrochlorothiazide weight loss has nothing to do with the medication itself necessarily, but its fixing whatever problems you had before. The medication doesn’t cause weight loss; it is a side effect depending on your preexisting conditions.
Why & How Does Hydrochlorothiazide Cause Weight Loss?
Sodium & Water Reduction
Hydrochlorothiazide and other diuretics cause weight loss by inhibiting the sodium-chloride symporter. The inhibition of the sodium-chloride symporter prevents sodium reabsorption, which increases urinary flow in the body and water weight loss.
When the body loses a significant amount of water this way, people will step on the scale and see that they have lost weight. Hydrochlorothiazide weight loss is not body fat loss; it is your bodily tissues storing less water in response to the medication.
This side effect of weight loss is also very apparent for people with edema as a result of a medical condition. The water weight loss from hydrochlorothiazide with this preexisting condition may be very substantial because of this.
Side effects (Diarrhea, Nausea, Appetite Loss)
Another way Hydrocholothiazide can cause weight loss is through the various side effects the medication brings about. The main side effects that can cause weight are: Diarrhea, Nausea, and Appetite loss.
Diarrhea. Experiencing diarrhea while taking Hydrochlorothiazide could be another reason why you are seeing weight loss results. Diarrhea depletes water form your body, which can increase the amount of water weight you are losing.
Nausea. Nausea is the general feeling of sickness that gives warning to you vomiting. Nausea can interfere with you appetite, causing you to eat fewer calories through the day and it can provoke vomiting, which interferes with calorie absorption. Hydrochlorothiazide taken for weight loss with these adverse effects may cause a state of calorie restriction, which results in body fat loss.
Now it is important to also state that this type of weight loss results may be real body fat loss, but it is not substantial. You will not be able to sustain the use of the medication and soon enough you will revert back to your normal appetite and calorie consumption.
Appetite Loss. When taking hydrochlorothiazide you may experience appetite loss and this may lead you to consume fewer calories than normal throughout the day. When you experience a calorie deficit as such, you’ll end up burning more fat and losing weight as a result. This, of course, is not a sustainable source of weight loss because once you are finished taking the medication you will revert back to your previous appetite.
So, Should You Take Hydrochlorothizade For Weight Loss?
The medication Hydrochlorothiazide used for weight loss may pique the curiosity of many people looking for quick and easy results. However, it is not recommended by any health professionals or nutrition specialist for you to take prescription medications, such as hydrochlorothiazide for weight loss.
Not only are there many adverse side effects when taking the medications, which makes it unsafe, but it is not efficient long term. Hydrochlorothiazide should only be used for its intended medical purposes and prescribed by a medical professional.