Can water tablets be harmful?
Diuretics are generally safe. Side effects include increased urination and sodium loss. Diuretics can also affect blood potassium levels. If you take a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level can drop too low (hypokalemia), which can cause life-threatening problems with your heartbeat.
How do diuretics cause death?
Diuretics can cause hypokalemia as well, which may precipitate cardiac arrhythmias and sudden death. 2 Muscle weakness associated with hypokalemia can increase fall risks for older adults.
Who should not take water pills?
Ask your doctor if you should avoid or be cautious using diuretics if you:Have severe liver or kidney disease.Are dehydrated.Have an irregular heartbeat.Are in the third trimester of pregnancy and/or have developed high blood pressure during your pregnancy.Are age 65 or older.Have gout.More items...•
Can diuretics kill?
In addition, diuretics can interact with other medications you might be taking and make them more or less effective. In some cases they can have a serious and potentially deadly interaction that could put you in hospital or kill you.
Can diuretics cause sudden death?
Two recent case-control studies provide consistent evidence that non potassium-sparing diuretics are associated with a twofold risk of sudden death compared to potassium-sparing diuretic therapy.
Can diuretics cause heart failure?
The use of diuretics in the management of chronic heart failure may be limited by the increase in cardiovascular risk secondary to their adverse effects including electrolyte depletion (potassium and magnesium).
Can water pills damage your kidneys?
Doctors use these medicines, also known as water pills, to treat high blood pressure and some kinds of swelling. They help your body get rid of extra fluid. But they can sometimes dehydrate you, which can be bad for your kidneys.
What are the side effects of water pills?
Not surprisingly, one of the most common side effects of taking water pills is frequent urination. Other possible side effects include lightheadedness, fatigue, bowel changes, and muscle cramps. Men may occasionally experience erectile dysfunction.
Can water pills dehydrate you?
Can diuretics cause dehydration? Yes, if you're taking too high a dose of a diuretic or not drinking enough fluids, you can get dehydrated.
What happens if you overdose on diuretics?
FDA warning: Dehydration risk Furosemide is a strong diuretic (water pill) that helps your body get rid of excess water. It does this by increasing the amount of urine your body makes. If you take too much of this drug, it can lead to very low amounts of water and electrolytes in your body. This can cause dehydration.
How many water pills can you take in a day?
Adults—At first, 12.5 milligrams (mg) or one capsule once a day. Your doctor may want you to take this alone or together with other blood pressure medicines. Your doctor may increase your dose as needed. However, the dose is usually not more than 50 mg per day.
Should you drink lots of water when taking water pills?
Doctors often recommend drinking less fluid and taking diuretic medications, or water pills, to flush more water and salt out of the body through urine. The goal of treatment is to reduce swelling, which makes it easier to breathe and helps avoid hospitalization.