Hydrochlorothiazide (HyperGLUC) Mnemonic

Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ) is a thiazide diuretic that acts in the distal convoluted tubule of the kidney on the Na/Cl- symporter to reduce blood pressure/ volume. However, like any medication it comes with side effects. A common mnemonic used to remember these effects is HyperGLUC

HYPERglycemia (It occurs at higher doses of HCTZ (> 50 mg/d); Thiazides have a weak, dose-dependent, effect to stimulate ATP-sensitive K+ channels and cause hyperpolarization of beta cells, thereby inhibiting insulin release)

HYPERlipidemia (cause a 5–15% increase in total serum cholesterol and low-density lipoproteins (LDLs))

HYPERuricemia (may precipitate acute gouty arthritis)

HYPERcalcemia (increased renal calcium resorption and decrease calcium in urine)

NOTE: It can have HYPO effects in serum: including HYPOkalemia, HYPOnatremia and HYPOtension (decreases blood volume and peripheral vascular resistance)

REFERENCES

  1. CHAPTER 15: Diuretic Agents. Ramin Sam; David Pearce; Harlan E. Ives. Basic & Clinical Pharmacology, 13e
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Dr. C Humphreys

Internal Medicine

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