Home Drug Guide Polythiazide

Drug Guide

Generic Name

Polythiazide

Brand Names Renese

Classification

Therapeutic: Antihypertensive, Diuretic

Pharmacological: Thiazide diuretic

FDA Approved Indications

  • Hypertension
  • Edema associated with congestive heart failure, hepatic cirrhosis, and renal disease

Mechanism of Action

Polythiazide inhibits sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule, leading to increased excretion of sodium, chloride, and water, which reduces blood volume and lowers blood pressure.

Dosage and Administration

Adult: Typically 25-50 mg once daily; dosage may be adjusted based on response.

Pediatric: Not generally recommended for pediatric use; consult specific guidelines.

Geriatric: Start at lower doses with careful monitoring due to increased sensitivity and risk of electrolyte imbalance.

Renal Impairment: Use with caution; dosage adjustments may be necessary.

Hepatic Impairment: Use with caution; monitor closely, as hepatic impairment may alter drug response.

Pharmacokinetics

Absorption: Well absorbed from gastrointestinal tract.

Distribution: Widely distributed, bound to plasma proteins.

Metabolism: Minimal hepatic metabolism.

Excretion: Primarily excreted unchanged by the kidneys.

Half Life: Approximately 3-4 hours.

Contraindications

  • Hypersensitivity to thiazide diuretics
  • Anuria

Precautions

  • Electrolyte disturbances (hypokalemia, hyponatremia, hypomagnesemia)
  • Diabetic patients (may affect glucose control)
  • Patients with gout (may precipitate attacks)
  • Use cautiously in patients with renal impairment, hepatic impairment, or those on other antihypertensive agents.

Adverse Reactions - Common

  • Electrolyte imbalance (hypokalemia, hyponatremia) (Common)
  • Hypotension (Common)
  • Dizziness, dizziness upon standing (Common)

Adverse Reactions - Serious

  • Electrolyte disturbances leading to arrhythmias (Serious)
  • Blood dyscrasias (rare) (Rare)
  • Allergic reactions (Rare)

Drug-Drug Interactions

  • Other antihypertensives, corticosteroids, NSAIDs, lithium

Drug-Food Interactions

N/A

Drug-Herb Interactions

N/A

Nursing Implications

Assessment: Monitor blood pressure, serum electrolytes (potassium, sodium, magnesium), renal function, and glucose levels.

Diagnoses:

  • Risk for electrolyte imbalance
  • Risk for falls due to hypotension

Implementation: Administer with food to minimize gastrointestinal upset; monitor for adverse effects.

Evaluation: Assess blood pressure response and electrolyte status regularly.

Patient/Family Teaching

  • Take medication exactly as prescribed.
  • Notify healthcare provider of signs of electrolyte imbalance (muscle weakness, irregular heartbeat).
  • Rise slowly from sitting or lying position to prevent orthostatic hypotension.
  • Maintain adequate fluid and electrolyte intake.

Special Considerations

Black Box Warnings:

  • None specific for Polythiazide.

Genetic Factors: None specified.

Lab Test Interference: May alter glucose and electrolyte tests.

Overdose Management

Signs/Symptoms: Severe dehydration, electrolyte imbalances (hypokalemia, hyponatremia), hypotension.

Treatment: Discontinue medication, provide supportive care, correct electrolyte imbalances, and maintain adequate hydration.

Storage and Handling

Storage: Store at room temperature away from moisture and heat.

Stability: Stable under recommended storage conditions.

🛡️ 5 Critical Medication Safety Tips for Nurses

1

Triple-Check High-Risk Medications

Always have another nurse verify insulin, heparin, warfarin, and chemotherapy drugs. These "high-alert" medications cause the most serious errors. Check concentration, dose calculation, and pump settings twice.

2

Know Look-Alike, Sound-Alike Drugs

Common mix-ups: hydromorphone/morphine, Celebrex/Celexa, Zyprexa/Zyrtec. Always use BOTH generic and brand names, read labels twice, and use barcode scanning when available. One wrong letter can be fatal.

3

Assess Before AND After Giving Meds

Check vitals before cardiac meds, pain levels before analgesics, and blood glucose before insulin. Always reassess within 30 minutes to evaluate effectiveness and watch for adverse reactions.

4

Watch for Drug Interactions

Common dangerous combinations: warfarin + aspirin (bleeding), ACE inhibitors + potassium (hyperkalemia), digoxin + diuretics (toxicity). Always check drug interactions before administering new medications.

5

Educate Your Patients

Teach patients medication names, purposes, major side effects, and what to report. Informed patients catch errors and improve compliance. Always encourage questions - an educated patient is a safer patient.

⚡ Remember: When in doubt, don't give it out! It's always safer to double-check than regret later.

⚠️ Medical Disclaimer

This drug guide is for educational purposes only and is NOT intended for clinical use. Always consult current prescribing information, healthcare providers, and institutional protocols before administering any medication. Do not use this information for patient care decisions.