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Diuretic

Hydrochlorothiazide for Postpartum Hypertension

Phase 3
Recruiting
Led By Antonio Saad, M.D.
Research Sponsored by The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston
Eligibility Criteria Checklist
Specific guidelines that determine who can or cannot participate in a clinical trial
Must have
Maternal age ≥ 18 years and <50 years
Diagnosis of gestational hypertension or preeclampsia at any time during pregnancy, labor or postpartum (defined as isolated systolic BP of 140 mm Hg or greater, a diastolic BP of 90 mm Hg or greater, or both; or defined as new-onset hypertension plus new-onset proteinuria, or in the absence of proteinuria, preeclampsia is diagnosed as hypertension in association with thrombocytopenia (platelet count less than 100,000/microliter), impaired liver function (elevated blood levels of liver transaminases to twice the normal concentration), the new development of renal insufficiency (elevated serum creatinine greater than 1.1 mg/dL or a doubling of serum creatinine in the absence of other renal disease), pulmonary edema, or new-onset cerebral or visual disturbances)
Must not have
Pre-gestational diabetes
Subject requiring antihypertensive therapy at time of screening
Timeline
Screening 3 weeks
Treatment Varies
Follow Up 1-6 weeks postpartum
Awards & highlights
Pivotal Trial

Summary

This trial is testing whether hydrochlorothiazide can help prevent or reduce high blood pressure in women who have given birth. The medication works by making you urinate more, which helps lower blood pressure. Hydrochlorothiazide is known for its effectiveness in lowering blood pressure.

Who is the study for?
This trial is for women aged 18-50 who had high blood pressure or preeclampsia during pregnancy. They must not need blood pressure meds at screening, can't be discharged with such meds, and shouldn't have kidney failure, sulfonamide allergy, pre-gestational diabetes, lactose intolerance or issues that prevent follow-up.
What is being tested?
The study tests if Hydrochlorothiazide (HCTZ), a water pill, can prevent high blood pressure problems after birth compared to a placebo. Women will randomly receive either HCTZ or an inactive tablet to see which is better at preventing relapses of hypertension or preeclampsia postpartum.
What are the potential side effects?
Hydrochlorothiazide may cause dehydration, low potassium levels leading to muscle weakness and abnormal heart rhythms, light sensitivity resulting in sunburns more easily than usual, dizziness upon standing up too fast due to lowered blood pressure.

Eligibility Criteria

Inclusion Criteria

You may be eligible if you check “Yes” for the criteria below
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I am a woman aged 18 to 49.
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I have been diagnosed with high blood pressure or preeclampsia during or after pregnancy.

Exclusion Criteria

You may be eligible for the trial if you check “No” for criteria below:
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I had diabetes before becoming pregnant.
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I am on medication for high blood pressure.
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I will be discharged with a prescription for blood pressure pills.
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I cannot take hydrochlorothiazide due to severe kidney issues or an allergy to sulfonamides.

Timeline

Screening ~ 3 weeks
Treatment ~ Varies
Follow Up ~1-6 weeks postpartum
This trial's timeline: 3 weeks for screening, Varies for treatment, and 1-6 weeks postpartum for reporting.

Treatment Details

Study Objectives

Study objectives can provide a clearer picture of what you can expect from a treatment.
Primary study objectives
Need for additional antihypertensive therapy
Rate of readmission and/or triage visits
Secondary study objectives
Adverse Events
Elevation of blood pressure >150/90
Length of hospital stay
+3 more

Awards & Highlights

Pivotal Trial
The final step before approval, pivotal trials feature drugs that have already shown basic safety & efficacy.

Trial Design

2Treatment groups
Active Control
Placebo Group
Group I: Hydrochlorothiazide 50mg TabletActive Control1 Intervention
Hydrochlorothiazide 50 mg per os once daily as soon as the subjects can tolerate sips of water after delivery and for a total of fourteen days postpartum.
Group II: Placebo TabletPlacebo Group1 Intervention
Placebo per os once daily as soon as the subjects can tolerate sips of water after delivery and for fourteen days postpartum

Research Highlights

Information in this section is not a recommendation. We encourage patients to speak with their healthcare team when evaluating any treatment decision.
Mechanism Of Action
Side Effect Profile
Prior Approvals
Other Research
The most common treatments for hypertension include ACE inhibitors, ARBs, calcium channel blockers, and thiazide diuretics. ACE inhibitors and ARBs work by relaxing blood vessels through the inhibition of angiotensin II, a hormone that causes vasoconstriction. Calcium channel blockers prevent calcium from entering the heart and blood vessel walls, leading to relaxed vessels and lower blood pressure. Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide, reduce blood pressure by removing excess fluid and salt from the body, decreasing blood volume. These mechanisms are crucial for hypertension patients as they help to reduce the risk of cardiovascular events, such as heart attacks and strokes, by effectively managing high blood pressure.
Disposition and pharmacodynamics of diuretics and antihypertensive agents in renal disease.

Find a Location

Who is running the clinical trial?

The University of Texas Medical Branch, GalvestonLead Sponsor
250 Previous Clinical Trials
56,146 Total Patients Enrolled
9 Trials studying Hypertension
5,319 Patients Enrolled for Hypertension
Antonio Saad, M.D.Principal InvestigatorUTMB
1 Previous Clinical Trials
3,374 Total Patients Enrolled
Benjamin Bush, M.D.Principal InvestigatorUTMB
1 Previous Clinical Trials
3,374 Total Patients Enrolled
~77 spots leftby Nov 2025