oretic

How long does Hydrochlorothiazide stay in your body?

The elimination half-life of hydrochlorothiazide is about 6 to 15 hours (the label reports a range, not a single number) — the time it takes the body to clear about half of it. As a rule of thumb, a medicine is mostly gone after roughly 4 to 5 half-lives, though this varies from person to person with age and kidney or liver function. This is the plasma ELIMINATION half-life. Plasma levels fall bi-exponentially: other FDA labels for hydrochlorothiazide combination products describe a distribution phase of roughly 2 hours before the ~10-hour (6-15 h) elimination phase — the elimination figure is the one given here. Hydrochlorothiazide is NOT a prodrug and is NOT metabolized, so there is no active metabolite that outlasts the parent; more than 95% of the absorbed dose is excreted unchanged in urine. Kidney impairment: the label states plainly that in patients with renal disease plasma concentrations are increased and the elimination half-life is PROLONGED — it does not quantify by how much. The label does not state a different half-life for older adults or for liver impairment, so no number should be assumed for those groups. Absorption (not elimination) is reduced in congestive heart failure. This is a pharmacokinetic figure about how long the drug stays in plasma; it is not a drug-test detection window and not dosing guidance.

This is general information, not medical advice. It doesn’t tell you when a drug test would read negative (tests detect substances for different, often longer, windows) or when it’s safe to take another dose — ask your pharmacist or prescriber. Source: DailyMed — HYDROCHLOROTHIAZIDE capsule, Clinical Pharmacology (Pharmacokinetics and Metabolism).

Frequently asked questions

What does Oretic treat?

Oretic (Hydrochlorothiazide) may be used to treat edema, heart failure, hypertension, nephrotic syndrome, based on NIH RxClass drug-classification data (conditions a drug may treat — not a verbatim copy of the FDA-approved label). This is general reference, not medical advice.

How is Oretic rated?

pharmaranks gives Oretic a composite score of 3.6 out of 5, currently based on 1 weighted source (FDA regulatory recall-safety data weighted highest). See our methodology at /how-we-rate.

How much does Oretic cost?

Nobody can tell you what you will pay — your price is set by your insurer's formulary, your deductible and the pharmacy's markup, and none of those are published. What IS published is what the pharmacy paid to acquire it: about $0.91 for 30, per the CMS NADAC survey. Treat that as the floor, not the quote — ask the pharmacist for the cash price as well as your copay, because for cheap generics the cash price often wins.

Is there a coupon or discount for Oretic?

pharmaranks is an independent ratings site, not a pharmacy — we don't issue coupons or sell Oretic. To pay less, ask your prescriber or pharmacist whether a generic equivalent exists, check the manufacturer's copay/savings card and patient-assistance program, and compare a pharmacy discount card against your insurance copay. Prices vary by pharmacy, insurance, and location, so always confirm at the counter. This is general reference, not medical or financial advice.

Who makes Oretic?

Oretic is marketed by Abbvie. You can see Abbvie's full profile, rating, and other products on pharmaranks.

Is Oretic a brand-name or generic drug?

Oretic is a brand-name product with the active ingredient Hydrochlorothiazide. Lower-cost generic equivalents containing Hydrochlorothiazide are available — ask your pharmacist.

Is Oretic available over the counter?

No. Oretic is a prescription (Rx) medication in the US — you need a prescription from a licensed clinician (in person or via telehealth); it isn't sold over the counter. For some conditions there are OTC alternatives — ask your pharmacist.

What forms does Oretic come in?

Oretic is currently marketed as tablet, per the FDA's National Drug Code Directory.

What class of drug is Oretic?

Oretic is classified as thiazide diuretic, per the FDA's Established Pharmacologic Class.

Is Oretic FDA-registered?

Oretic is on record with the U.S. FDA under application number NDA011971. You can verify this on its official FDA label.

Has Oretic been recalled by the FDA?

Oretic has no FDA recalls recorded under its own application in the openFDA enforcement database. Its recall-safety score reflects its manufacturer's overall recall record. This is general reference, not medical advice — check the FDA recall database for the latest alerts.

Is Oretic safe?

There's no single safe-or-not verdict. pharmaranks gives Oretic a recall-safety score of 72/100, based on its FDA recall history (no recalls under its own FDA application) — not an efficacy or side-effect rating. Review its FDA-label side effects and warnings before use, and always consult a licensed professional.