Drug Summary

  Drug name:  benzthiazide
  Chemical name:  Benzthiazide
  Formula:  C₁₅H₁₄ClN₃O_{4
  Weight:   431.937
  CAS no:  91-33-8
  DrugBank link:  DB00562
  Description:  Benzthiazide is used to treat hypertension and edema. Like other thiazides, benzthiazide promotes water loss from the body (diuretics). They inhibit Na+/Cl- reabsorption from the distal convoluted tubules in the kidneys. Thiazides also cause loss of potassium and an increase in serum uric acid. Thiazides are often used to treat hypertension, but their hypotensive effects are not necessarily due to their diuretic activity. Thiazides have been shown to prevent hypertension-related morbidity and mortality although the mechanism is not fully understood. Thiazides cause vasodilation by activating calcium-activated potassium channels (large conductance) in vascular smooth muscles and inhibiting various carbonic anhydrases in vascular tissue.
  Indication:  For the treatment of high blood pressure and management of edema.}