The compatibilities and stabilities of some binary mixtures and generic hydrochlorothiazide formulations were studied by using TG, DSC and a DSC-photovisual system. The kinetic parameters were determined via the Arrhenius equations. Tablet B presented higher compatibility and thermal stability than those of tablets A and C. The photovisual system demonstrated that the decomposition of tablet A occurs before the melting point, due to the Maillard reaction between the hydrochlorothiazide and lactose present in the formulation. The behaviour and rate constants of binary mixtures suggest that lactose can be substituted for microcrystalline cellulose, MC(101), in tablet A. The DSC and TG data revealed different characteristics of compatibility and stability in generic formulations from different manufacturers.