The U.S. FDA approved Metolazone for heart disorders on July 30, 1987. Metolazone belongs to the medication class known as thiazide diuretics works by increasing the flow of urine and promoting the removal of excess fluid from the body.

Metolazone treats fluid retention (edema) associated with heart and kidney conditions by promoting urine flow. It is also used to treat high blood pressure, either alone or in combination with other medications.

Take the Metolazone as your physician advises. Do not take more or less of the medication than your doctor has instructed. Your physician will decide the correct dosage and duration based on age, body weight, and disease condition. 

The most common side effects of Metolazone are sleepiness, trouble concentrating, dry mouth, dizziness, increase in appetite, drowsiness, and headache. Serious side effects while taking Metolazone are serious allergic reactions (swelling of the mouth, lips, gums, throat, tongue, troubled breathing, rash, raised bumps, and blisters), sudden changes in mood, behaviors, thoughts, or feelings, swelling of hands, feet, and legs, weight gain, muscle problems, muscle pain, soreness, or weakness, problems with eyesight, including blurry vision.

Do not use Metolazone if you are allergic to Metolazone, thiazides, sulfonamides, or any of its ingredients. Do not use this medication if you are unable to urinate, experiencing coma or comatose conditions due to liver cirrhosis, or have severe imbalances of salts or chemicals in your blood. This medicine contains lactose, so if you have galactose intolerance, total lactase deficiency, or glucose-galactose malabsorption, it is advised to avoid it. This medicine is not recommended for children under the age of 18, and it should be used cautiously in elderly patients.

Before start taking Metolazone, talk to your doctor if you have severe kidney or liver disease, are elderly, have fluid or electrolyte imbalances, or suffer from Addison's disease, diabetes, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus. Notify your doctor if you have porphyria, high cholesterol, or have a history of penicillin or sulfonamide allergy. Regular monitoring may be necessary for certain conditions.

 Patients with liver and kidney conditions should take Metolazone cautiously and should inform the doctor about all the underlying medical conditions. Do not stop the medicine until your doctor advises. Do not double-dose the medicine to make up for a forgotten dose. Notify your doctor if you experience any serious side effects. Your medical professional will inform you if you need any dose adjustments. Contact your doctor for more information.  

1. Renascience Pharma Limited, Electronic medicines compendium (emc), [Revised on May 2021] [ Accessed on 25th July 2023], Xaqua 5mg UK leaflet Mock Up 4.ai (medicines.org.uk)
2. Lannett Company, Inc, US Food and Drug Administration, [Revised on May 2019] [ Accessed on 25th July 2023], label (fda.gov)
3. Goodman & Gilman’s, The Pharmacological Basis of Therapeutics, Regulation of renal function and vascular volume, 12th edition, 2011, 688.
4. KD Tripathi, Essentials of Medical Pharmacology, Diuretics, 7th edition, 2013, 583.

The drug information on this page is not a substitute for medical advice. It is meant for educational purposes only. For further details, consult your doctor about your medical condition to know if you are eligible to receive this treatment.