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Chlorthalidone is a thiazide-like diuretic used to treat hypertension. This activity discusses chlorthalidone's indications and contraindications when managing hypertension, edema, and calcium nephrolithiasis. Additionally, its mechanism of action, adverse event profile, pharmacokinetics, monitoring, and clinical toxicology are discussed. By exploring these aspects, healthcare professionals understand chlorthalidone's pharmacology, empowering them to tailor treatment plans to individual patient needs. By emphasizing the crucial role of the interprofessional healthcare team, this initiative equips participants with essential knowledge and tools to optimize patient care during chlorthalidone administration, thereby improving patient outcomes through evidence-based medicine. Objectives: Identify the mechanism of action of chlorthalidone. Assess the potential adverse effects of chlorthalidone. Determine the appropriate monitoring for patients on therapy with chlorthalidone. Implement interprofessional team strategies for improving care coordination and communication to advance proper chlorthalidone administration and verify medication allergies. Access free multiple choice questions on this topic.

Signs and Symptoms of Overdose Nausea Weakness Dizziness due to severe hypotension Electrolyte disturbances such as hypokalemia, hyponatremia, and hypomagnesemia Management of acute overdosage No specific antidote is available Gastric lavage Supportive management includes intravenous dextrose or normal saline for hypotension and intravenous potassium chloride for severe hypokalemia.

As a sulfonamide-derived medication, the clinician must review relevant allergies when prescribing chlorthalidone. An interprofessional team approach, including clinicians (MDs, DOs, NPs, PAs), specialists, nurse practitioners, physician assistants, nurses, and pharmacists, can help to maintain updated allergies. A review of allergies can start upon reception by asking patients to review their previous chart and update relevant sections, including allergies. While in a hospital setting, it can be prompted before administration by the clinician. In a pharmacy setting, the pharmacist can inquire before dispensing chlorthalidone. Additionally, EMR software now allows an additional barrier with risk-advisory when prescribing medication to which patients are allergic.[30] In addition to allergies, clinicians and pharmacists are responsible for counseling the patient, verifying dosing, and monitoring for adverse events. Pharmacists must also perform medication reconciliation to preclude any possible drug-drug interactions and notify the other interprofessional healthcare team members when concerns arise. Updating the type of adverse reaction occurring with the allergy is vital to avoid and characterize the true allergy. Deciphering whether a true allergy or previous adverse effects from a medication is crucial as it changes therapeutic options for the patient.[30] The interprofessional paradigm contributes to positive patient outcomes when using chlorthalidone.