NutriStack
Alcohol and Chlorthalidone, a caution.
Chlorthalidone has a long duration of action and can cause volume depletion, low sodium, and low potassium. Alcohol can worsen orthostatic hypotension and dehydration, increasing the risk of dizziness, falls, or fainting. Older adults and people who are ill, overheated, or on multiple blood-pressure medicines are at higher risk.
One pair, every claim cited. The two substances, the type, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
Same shape as the other 1,729 pairs in the public database.
From the interaction database
What the row says.
Every entry follows the same shape: what is happening, the mechanism, the recommendation, and the primary literature.
At a glance
- Substances
- Alcohol and Chlorthalidone
- Pair type
- Caution
- Evidence (highest tier)
- Moderate
- Source citations
- 3 sources
- Stack Score effect
- −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
- Scope
- Supplement × Prescription
- Last verified
- May 30, 2026
Caution · Moderate evidence
Caution
What is happening. Chlorthalidone has a long duration of action and can cause volume depletion, low sodium, and low potassium. Alcohol can worsen orthostatic hypotension and dehydration, increasing the risk of dizziness, falls, or fainting. Older adults and people who are ill, overheated, or on multiple blood-pressure medicines are at higher risk.
Mechanism. Chlorthalidone increases sodium and water excretion and can lower effective circulating volume. Alcohol impairs vasoconstrictor compensation during standing, creating additive orthostatic stress.
Recommendation. Limit alcohol while taking chlorthalidone, particularly during the first weeks of therapy or after dose changes. Maintain appropriate hydration, stand slowly, and contact your prescriber if you have recurrent dizziness, fainting, or weakness.
Sources (3)
- Narkiewicz K, Cooley RL, Somers VK. Alcohol potentiates orthostatic hypotension: implications for alcohol-related syncope. Circulation. 2000;101(4):398-402. PMID 10653831
- Palma JA, Kaufmann H. Management of Orthostatic Hypotension. Continuum (Minneap Minn). 2020;26(1):154-177. PMID 31996627
- Sica DA. Diuretic-related side effects: development and treatment. J Clin Hypertens (Greenwich). 2004;6(9):532-540. PMID 15365284
Stack Score
How this pair moves the number.
Effect on the composite score
If both Alcohol and Chlorthalidone are in the same stack, this pair applies −5 to your Stack Score (per scored caution row).
The full algorithm, the clamping rules, and four worked stacks are documented at /methodology/stack-score.
Check your full routine
One pair was the worked example. NutriStack runs every pair in your stack at once.
Drop in your supplements and prescriptions and the public database surfaces every interaction, synergy, timing rule, and contraindication, every one linked to its primary source.