Compare hydrochlorothiazide vs. Prazosin
Head-to-head comparisons of medication uses, side effects, ratings, and more.
Removes water from the body, which lowers blood pressure.
Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) is a well-tolerated water pill that's often the first-choice treatment for mild high blood pressure.
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3.3/ 5 average rating with 139 reviewsforhydrochlorothiazide
Lowers blood pressure and makes it easier to urinate.
Prazosin is used mostly to make urination easier for men with an enlarged prostate, but it can cause dizziness.
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3.0/ 5 average rating with 48 reviewsforPrazosin
Upsides
- Does a good job getting rid of extra fluids in your body by making you urinate more.
- A first-choice blood pressure treatment. Works especially well for people of African descent.
- Lowers the risk of heart attack and stroke.
- Good option if you have high blood pressure and heart failure.
- Most people have very few side effects from Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)).
- Can be good for patients with osteoporosis since it raises the body's level of calcium.
- Can be added to other blood pressure-lowering medicines if you need additional blood pressure control.
- Makes urination easier in men with an enlarged prostate.
- Helps people with PTSD get better sleep with fewer, less-intense nightmares.
Downsides
- Makes you urinate more often.
- Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) doesn't work well in people with severe kidney problems.
- It can increase the risk of gout attacks in people with poor kidney function or a history of gout.
- People with a sulfa allergy may be allergic to Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)).
- Not the best medicine to lower blood pressure by itself.
- Likely to cause orthostatic hypotension. This means dizziness when you change positions (like standing up) because your blood pressure doesn't adjust quickly enough.
- Not preferred for people 65 years or older.
Used for
- High blood pressure
- Fluid retention (edema)
- High urine calcium
- Osteoporosis
- Diabetes insipidus from lithium
- High blood pressure
- Enlarged prostate
- Erectile dysfunction
- Heart failure
- PTSD
- Poisoning due to scorpion venom
- Raynaud's phenomenon
Dosage forms
- Pill
- Pill
Price
No pricing information available
Lowest price
$77.68
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Reviews
139 reviews so far
47%
saidit'sworth it
31%
saiditworked well
16%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ))?
Leave a review48 reviews so far
46%
saidit'sworth it
29%
saiditworked well
15%
saidit'sa big hassle
Have you used Minipress (Prazosin)?
Leave a reviewSide effects
The Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ)) FDA package insert doesn’t have numbers about how common side effects are.
7possible side effects
- Dizziness10%
- Headache8%
- Drowsiness8%
- Lack of energy7%
- Weakness7%
- Palpitations5%
- Nausea5%
Risks and risk factors
- Dehydration and electrolyte imbalance
- Current electrolyte imbalance
- Lower kidney function
- Dehydration
- Severe allergic reactions
- History of sulfa allergies
- Gout
- History of gout
- Current kidney problems
- Vision problems
- History of sulfa or penicillin allergies
- Higher blood sugars
- Diabetes
- Low blood pressure (orthostatic hypotension)
- Age 65 years or older