What is the pharmacological class of chlorthalidone?

Chlorthalidone belongs to the pharmacological class of thiazide diuretics. Thiazide diuretics are commonly used in the management of hypertension and edema. These agents work primarily by inhibiting sodium reabsorption in the distal convoluted tubule of the nephron, leading to increased excretion of sodium and water, which helps to lower blood pressure and reduce fluid retention.

Thiazide diuretics like chlorthalidone not only have a diuretic effect but also play a role in controlling electrolyte balance, particularly impacting potassium levels, despite the potential for hypokalemia. Their mechanism of action and therapeutic effects differentiate them from other classes of diuretics, such as loop diuretics, which act on the ascending limb of the loop of Henle, and potassium-sparing diuretics, which work on the distal nephron and help to retain potassium. Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, on the other hand, affect bicarbonate reabsorption and are used in specific conditions rather than as primary agents for hypertension or fluid retention.