Clinical Evaluation of Chlorothiazide

In the 2 years chlorothiazide has been available, it has been demonstrated to have many of the characteristics of the ideal diuretic agent. It has become an important drug in the treatment of patients with edema and hypertension. Experience has indicated that the side effects and toxic reactions are not severe nor do they prohibit long-term use of the drug. In the vast majority of patients, clinical effectiveness has persisted for the duration of the study, up to 2 years in some and more than a year in many. Chlorothiazide is a new type of powerful diuretic agent. Surely other similar compounds will be introduced. For these reasons, it is especially important that we understand its mechanism of action and shortcomings. Interest in the pharmacology of chlorothiazide already has brought us new information about certain fundamental problems of kidney function and systemic arterial hypertension.