Can a common water pill keep blood pressure in check after childbirth?

NCT ID NCT03298802

Disease control Sponsor: The University of Texas Medical Branch, Galveston Source: ClinicalTrials.gov ↗

First seen Jun 25, 2026 · Last updated Jul 15, 2026 · Updated 3 times

Summary

This study tested whether a 14-day course of hydrochlorothiazide (a water pill) could prevent high blood pressure from returning after delivery in women with preeclampsia or gestational hypertension. Over 450 women were planned, but the trial was stopped early. The main goals were to see if the drug reduced hospital readmissions or the need for extra blood pressure medication.

What this could mean

Our plain-language read of the trial. This is informational only, not medical advice or a prediction.

Active substance: hydrochlorothiazide (a water pill to lower blood pressure)
What this could lead to: If it worked, this could offer a simple, short-term way to prevent blood pressure spikes after childbirth, reducing hospital visits.
What could go wrong: The trial was terminated early, so results are limited. It's unclear if the drug is effective or safe for this specific use.

This is an AI summary of the original study and may miss details. Read our disclaimer.

Study facts

What this study's own registry entry says, in plain language.

Phase

Phase 3

Large-scale testing in a bigger group. Usually the last step before a treatment can be approved.

Participants

453 people

The number who actually took part.

Started

Nov 2017

Finished

Apr 2025

Lead sponsor

Other sponsor

The registry's catch-all category, for sponsors it does not file as a company, a government agency, or a research network.

Who can take part

This study's own entry requirements. Only the study team can say for certain whether you qualify.

Ages

18 to 50 years

Sex

Female participants only

Healthy volunteers

Not accepted

This study is not open to healthy volunteers. The entry requirements below say who it is open to.

Show the full entry requirements

Copied word for word from the study's registry entry, so the wording is the study team's rather than ours.

Inclusion Criteria: * 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 \^ defines 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.) Exclusion Criteria: * Subject requiring antihypertensive therapy at time of screening. * Planned discharge with oral anti-hypertensive medication. * Contraindication to hydrochlorothiazide (advanced renal failure or anuria, hypersensitivity to sulfonamides). * Subject not able to follow up postpartum. * Lactose intolerance. * Pre-gestational diabetes.

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Conditions

The condition(s) this trial relates to.

hypertension, pregnancy-induced preeclampsia

As listed by the trial registrant

The condition terms exactly as the trial's registrant entered them.

Gestational hypertension Hypertension, pregnancy induced Postpartum preeclampsia Postpartum pregnancy-induced hypertension Pre-eclampsia Superimposed pre-eclampsia

Can a common water pill keep blood pressure in check after childbirth?

What the study statuses mean