Hydrochlorothiazide is a thiazide diuretic used in the treatment of edema, arterial hypertension and other clinical conditions. The dissolution test is used to obtain and compare dissolution profiles and establish similarities of pharmaceutical formulations. The aim of this study was to compare the dissolution profiles of 25 mg tablets of hydrochlorothiazide available as the reference drug (product A), generic (product B) and similar (Product C) commercialized in Bahia, Brazil using a simple, fast and low cost ultraviolet method. The tests were performed in compliance with the Brazilian and United States Pharmacopoeia 32th. The disintegration occurred within 30 min. The proposed quantification methodology for drug dissolution test was validated, presenting accuracy, linearity and precision within the acceptance criteria. Products A, B and C showed dissolution efficiency values of 37.87, 39.96, and 42.12%, respectively. However, all the products released hydrochlorothiazide satisfactorily, with at least 75% of the drug dissolved within 30 min.
