[Durgical](https://durgical.com/en/) › [DurgiPedia](https://durgical.com/en/durgipedia/) › [Pharmacology](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/) › [Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/thiazide-and-thiazide-like-diuretics/) › Bendroflumethiazide

# Bendroflumethiazide

## Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics?

Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics

A thiazide diuretic tablet, usually taken in the morning. It treats high blood pressure and fluid build-up (oedema).

Updated Nov 1, 2026

Also called: Bendrofluazide

## Quick facts

**Group**
[Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/thiazide-and-thiazide-like-diuretics/)

**Target**
Sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule

**Used for**
High blood pressure · Oedema

**Key effects**
Increased urination · Nausea · Joint pain and gout

**Monitor**
Sodium · Kidney function · Blood glucose and uric acid

**ATC**
C03AA01

No doses: the clinician sets them by the current guideline.

On this page

- The basics Mechanism of action
- Indications
- Adverse effects
- Pharmacokinetics
- Memory aid

- Safety Contraindications
- Key interactions
- What is monitored
- Administration and safety
- Pregnancy and breastfeeding
- Nursing care

- Study Test yourself

- Connections Connections

## Mechanism of action

⇄**Sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule**Bendroflumethiazide

ⓘ The figure shows hydrochlorothiazide, a closely related thiazide, in the binding site of the human sodium-chloride cotransporter; bendroflumethiazide occupies the same site.

**Target in 3D:** Sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) of the distal convoluted tubule. PDB structure 9BWT (RCSB PDB, public domain). [View the structure at RCSB PDB](https://www.rcsb.org/structure/9BWT) · Drag to rotate · pinch to zoom

Bendroflumethiazide blocks the sodium-chloride cotransporter in the distal convoluted tubule, so more sodium, chloride and water are excreted. Blood volume falls at first; with continued use, peripheral resistance falls and lowers blood pressure. More sodium reaching the collecting duct increases potassium loss, and calcium reabsorption increases.

- It blocks NCC in the distal convoluted tubule
- More sodium, chloride and water are excreted
- Volume and then vascular resistance fall
- Potassium is lost; calcium is retained

## Indications

- High blood pressure [Arterial hypertension →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/arterial-hypertension/)
- Oedema (fluid build-up), for example in heart failure [Heart failure →](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/heart-failure/)

## Adverse effects

### Common

- Increased urination, thirst and dry mouth
- Dizziness or fainting from low blood pressure
- Nausea, vomiting, diarrhoea, constipation or reduced appetite
- Joint pain and gout

### Serious (rare, important)

- Low sodium, potassium or magnesium, and dehydration
- High blood glucose
- Pancreatitis
- Liver problems with jaundice
- Blood disorders (unusual bruising, infections)
- Anaphylaxis

## Contraindications

- Addison's disease
- Low sodium, potassium or magnesium, or high calcium
- Symptomatic high uric acid or gout
- Kidney or liver problems (used with caution or avoided)
- Caution: diabetes, lupus

## Key interactions

**Digoxin and drugs for heart rhythm (amiodarone, sotalol, flecainide)**
Low potassium from the thiazide raises the risk of toxicity and arrhythmias

**NSAIDs**
Weaker blood pressure effect and more risk to the kidneys

**Insulin and other diabetes medicines**
Glucose control may worsen

**Calcium or vitamin D supplements, calcitriol**
Risk of high calcium

## What is monitored

- Sodium, potassium, magnesium and calcium
- Kidney function
- Blood glucose and uric acid
- Blood pressure

## Administration and safety

- Taken in the morning so that urination does not disturb sleep; a second dose, if any, around midday
- Tablets are swallowed whole with water
- Soluble medicines high in sodium can weaken the blood pressure effect

## Pregnancy and breastfeeding

It is not normally used in pregnancy, as other medicines are preferred for high blood pressure. In breastfeeding only low levels reach milk, but long-term use might reduce milk supply.

## Nursing care

- Check electrolytes and kidney function results
- Ask about dizziness on standing and advise rising slowly
- Teach the signs of dehydration and low potassium (weakness, cramps)
- Ask about gout attacks and check glucose in diabetes

## Pharmacokinetics

**Absorption**
Taken by mouth, with or without food

**Onset and duration**
Increased urination within hours, so it is taken in the morning

## Memory aid

BENDRO bends the DCT pump: lose Na+, Cl- and K+, keep Ca2+, raise sugar and urate.

## Test yourself

Think of the answer, then tap the question to see it.

## Which transporter does bendroflumethiazide block, and where?

The sodium-chloride cotransporter (NCC) in the distal convoluted tubule.

## Why is bendroflumethiazide taken in the morning?

Its diuretic effect would otherwise wake the person at night to pass urine.

## Which metabolic changes can thiazides such as bendroflumethiazide cause?

Low potassium, sodium and magnesium, high calcium, high uric acid (gout) and high glucose.

## Why is low potassium dangerous for someone also taking digoxin?

Hypokalaemia increases digoxin toxicity and the risk of arrhythmias.

[Add to my cards (4)](https://durgical.app/estudiar/?add=/en/pharmacology/bendroflumethiazide/)

[More Pharmacology questions →](https://durgical.com/en/practice/?f=pharmacology)

## Connections

## Related drugs 3

- [Hydrochlorothiazide](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/hydrochlorothiazide/)
- [Chlortalidone](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/chlortalidone/)
- [Indapamide](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/indapamide/)

## Related conditions 2

- [Arterial hypertension](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/arterial-hypertension/)
- [Heart failure](https://durgical.com/en/conditions/heart-failure/)

[← Back to the class: Thiazide and thiazide-like diuretics](https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/classes/thiazide-and-thiazide-like-diuretics/)

Educational content on how drugs work; not a prescribing guide and no substitute for a health professional's advice. No doses are given.

Sources: [Bendroflumethiazide: diuretic to treat high blood pressure and build-up of fluid - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bendroflumethiazide/) (NHS (UK), 2026); [Who can and cannot take bendroflumethiazide - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bendroflumethiazide/who-can-and-cannot-take-bendroflumethiazide/) (NHS (UK), 2026); [Side effects of bendroflumethiazide - NHS](https://www.nhs.uk/medicines/bendroflumethiazide/side-effects-of-bendroflumethiazide/) (NHS (UK), 2026); [ATCDDD - ATC/DDD Index](https://atcddd.fhi.no/atc_ddd_index/?code=C03AA01) (WHO Collaborating Centre for Drug Statistics Methodology, 2026).

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Representative model, for educational purposes only.

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Source: https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bendroflumethiazide/
License: CC BY 4.0 (https://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/). Cite as: DurgiPedia (durgical.com), https://durgical.com/en/pharmacology/bendroflumethiazide/