Diuretics

Diuretics, also named h2o tablets, are a prevalent treatment method for superior blood strain. Obtain out how they work and when you could possibly have to have them.

By Mayo Clinic Staff

Diuretics, often named h2o tablets, assistance rid your human body of salt (sodium) and h2o. Most of these medications assistance your kidneys launch more sodium into your urine. The sodium will help clear away h2o from your blood, lowering the sum of fluid flowing through your veins and arteries. This cuts down blood strain.

Examples of diuretics

There are a few sorts of diuretics:

  • Thiazide
  • Loop
  • Potassium sparing

Each kind of diuretic impacts a diverse part of your kidneys. Some tablets merge more than a single kind of diuretic or merge a diuretic with yet another blood strain treatment.

Which diuretic is very best for you depends on your wellbeing and the problem being addressed.

Examples of thiazide diuretics taken by mouth include:

  • Chlorothiazide
  • Chlorthalidone
  • Hydrochlorothiazide
  • Indapamide
  • Metolazone

Examples of loop diuretics include:

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

Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include:

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

When diuretics are utilised

Thiazide diuretics are recommended as a single of the very first drug treatment plans for superior blood strain.

If diuretics usually are not sufficient to lessen your blood strain, your health care provider could possibly increase other blood strain drugs to your treatment method strategy.

Diuretics are also utilised to stop, treat or increase symptoms in people who have:

  • Coronary heart failure
  • Liver failure
  • Tissue inflammation (edema)
  • Specific kidney issues, such as kidney stones

Side consequences

Diuretics are usually safe. Side consequences include greater urination and sodium reduction.

Diuretics can also influence blood potassium stages. If you get a thiazide diuretic, your potassium degree can drop too very low (hypokalemia), which can trigger life-threatening difficulties with your heartbeat. If you happen to be on a potassium-sparing diuretic, you can have too substantially potassium in your blood.

Other achievable facet consequences of diuretics include:

  • Dizziness
  • Headaches
  • Dehydration
  • Muscle cramps
  • Joint issues (gout)
  • Impotence