[Acute pulmonary edema caused by hydrochlorothiazide].

A 50-year-old woman who received a prescription for hydrochlorothiazide for 'swollen ankles', developed respiratory distress due to acute pulmonary oedema within a few hours after she took the first dose. She was treated with artificial respiration during 3 days and with dopamine and circulatory volume suppletion. She recovered completely. Patient had stopped earlier use of hydrochlorothiazide because of respiratory discomfort. The described adverse effect is rare, but because of the high use of this drug it is important to recognize it.