Thiazides for kidney stones

Examples

Generic Name	Brand Name
chlorthalidone	Thalitone
hydrochlorothiazide	Microzide, Oretic

How It Works

Thiazides reduce the amount of calcium in the urine, which may prevent calcium kidney stones.

Why It Is Used

Thiazides may prevent the formation of calcium kidney stones, especially if changing your diet and drinking more fluids have not helped.

How Well It Works

People who take thiazides get fewer than half as many calcium stones as they did before taking this medicine.¹

Side Effects

Possible side effects of thiazides include:

• A decreased level of potassium in the blood.
• Frequent urination.
• Erection problems in men.
• Increased triglyceride level.
• Gout symptoms that get worse.
• Diabetes symptoms that get worse.

See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference is not available in all systems.)

What To Think About

You can prevent lower levels of potassium in the blood by taking potassium citrate with the thiazide.

Eating too much salt reduces the effect of thiazides.

Use of thiazides for kidney stones is an unlabeled use of these medicines. But doctors have found that thiazides safely and effectively prevent kidney stones in some people.

Complete the new medication information form (PDF) (What is a PDF document?) to help you understand this medication.

Author:	Monica Rhodes	Last Updated: May 4, 2009
Medical Review:	Kathleen Romito, MD - Family Medicine Philip Belitsky, MD, FRCSC - Urology
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