Diuretics

Diuretics, also identified as h2o pills, are a prevalent therapy for superior blood strain. Locate out how they perform and when you may require them.

By Mayo Clinic Employees

Diuretics, in some cases identified as h2o pills, help rid your entire body of salt (sodium) and h2o. Most of these medications help your kidneys launch extra sodium into your urine. The sodium allows take away h2o from your blood, lowering the total of fluid flowing by way of your veins and arteries. This minimizes blood strain.

Examples of diuretics

There are three varieties of diuretics:

  • Thiazide
  • Loop
  • Potassium sparing

Just about every variety of diuretic affects a distinctive section of your kidneys. Some pills mix extra than just one variety of diuretic or mix a diuretic with an additional blood strain medication.

Which diuretic is finest for you relies upon on your wellbeing and the condition remaining treated.

Examples of thiazide diuretics taken by mouth include things like:

  • Chlorothiazide
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Indapamide
  • Metolazone

Examples of loop diuretics include things like:

  • Bumetanide (Bumex)
  • Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin)
  • Furosemide (Lasix)
  • Torsemide (Soaanz)

Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include things like:

  • Amiloride (Midamor)
  • Eplerenone (Inspra)
  • Spironolactone (Aldactone, Carospir)
  • Triamterene (Dyrenium)

When diuretics are employed

Thiazide diuretics are recommended as just one of the to start with drug therapies for superior blood strain.

If diuretics usually are not sufficient to lower your blood strain, your physician may include other blood strain drugs to your therapy prepare.

Diuretics are also employed to stop, take care of or strengthen signs and symptoms in men and women who have:

  • Coronary heart failure
  • Liver failure
  • Tissue swelling (edema)
  • Specific kidney problems, these kinds of as kidney stones

Facet outcomes

Diuretics are normally protected. Facet outcomes include things like amplified urination and sodium reduction.

Diuretics can also influence blood potassium levels. If you acquire a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level can fall too lower (hypokalemia), which can trigger lifetime-threatening problems with your heartbeat. If you are on a potassium-sparing diuretic, you can have too considerably potassium in your blood.

Other attainable facet outcomes of diuretics include things like:

  • Dizziness
  • Head aches
  • Dehydration
  • Muscle cramps
  • Joint problems (gout)
  • Impotence