Patient was educated regarding contraindications for thiazide diuretic use as below:
- Thiazide diuretics are contraindicated in patients with history of calcium stones in the body, as they are known to increase the blood levels of calcium and thereby, formation of calcium stones in the body.
- Avoid using thiazide diuretics along with drugs that can lower the potassium levels in blood, such as Digoxin and loop diuretics, as the thiazide diuretics also reduce the potassium levels. Blood potassium levels can fall to dangerously low levels that can trigger cardiac arrhythmias.
- Thiazide diuretics can worsen the blood sugar levels and so, are contraindicated for use in diabetics.
- Thiazide diuretics have the potential to increase the uric acid levels in the blood. So, thiazide diuretics are contraindicated for use in patients with history of gout, as the diuretic can result in exacerbation of gout.
- Thiazide diuretics are mainly metabolized in the liver. If liver function is deficient, this metabolism of thiazide diuretics can suffer. This can lead to increased blood levels of the medication for longer periods of time, resulting in toxicity and severe side effects.
- Thiazide diuretics are mainly excreted by the kidneys. Individuals with renal disease cannot excrete the thiazide diuretics normally. So, these drugs can stay in circulation for longer time and can be toxic.
