diuretics side effects

Which diuretics have less side effects?

Potassium-sparing Diuretic Specific Effects. More generalized and less common side-effects of K+-sparing agents include headache, fatigue, and GI disturbances like nausea, vomiting, constipation, diarrhea, anorexia, and abdominal pain. ENaC Inhibitor Specific Effects

What effect does a diuretic have on your body?

The most common side effect associated with diuretics is an increased elimination of potassium, resulting in a dangerously low level of potassium in the body. With the exception of potassium-sparing versions, all diuretics may cause a loss of potassium, which, if left untreated, increases the risk for heart rhythm disturbances that can be serious.

Is long term use of a diuretic harmful?

Potential Harm of Taking Diuretics Long Term. “If diuretics are taken over a long period of time, the kidneys may start to retain sodium, making it possible to develop diuretic-induced edema,” says J. Mark Anderson, MD, DABFM, of Executive Medicine of Texas and who is board certified in family medicine. “Just like many other medication that are taken long-term, they can cause the body to become dependent upon their use,” continues Dr. Anderson.

Do diuretics affect the potency of other medications?

Potassium-sparing diuretics don’t reduce blood pressure as well as the other types of diuretics do. Therefore, your doctor may prescribe a potassium-sparing diuretic with another medication that also lowers blood pressure. When taken as prescribed, diuretics are generally well tolerated. However, they can still cause some side effects.

Who should not take diuretic?

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...•

What are the side effects of a diuretic pill?

Usual side effects of diuretics include:Peeing more than usual.Dizziness.Tiredness.Headache.Gout.Difficulty getting an erection.Low potassium (unless you're taking a potassium-sparing type of diuretic).Muscle cramps.More items...•

What should you avoid when taking diuretics?

On the other hand, if you're taking a potassium-sparing diuretic, such as amiloride (Midamar), spironolactone (Aldactone), or triamterene (Dyrenium), they may want you to avoid potassium-rich foods, salt substitutes, low-sodium milk, and other sources of potassium.

What are the symptoms of too much diuretics?

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.

Do you need to drink more water when taking diuretics?

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.

How much water should I drink while on diuretics?

Avoid taking them at night otherwise you may have to wake up to go to the toilet. Don't alter the amount of fluid that you normally drink while taking this medicine (a normal amount is approximately 2.5 to 3.5pints (or 1.5 to 2litres) of fluid per day.

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.

Can you just stop taking diuretics?

Do not stop using this medicine suddenly, even if you feel fine. Stopping suddenly may cause serious or life-threatening heart problems. Follow your doctor's instructions about tapering your dose.

What is the safest diuretic?

TUESDAY, Feb. 18, 2020 (HealthDay News) -- Patients taking a common diuretic to help lower blood pressure may be better off with a similarly effective but safer one, a new study suggests. Current guidelines recommend the drug chlorthalidone (Thalitone) as the first-line diuretic.

Do diuretics make you poop more?

For most people, the caffeine in coffee is simply a mild diuretic, which makes the body excrete more liquid. (Think: Pee more often.) But some people are especially sensitive, so they'll experience more of a laxative effect.

Why do seniors take water pills?

Diuretics decrease the peripheral resistance by a direct effect or a secondary effect due to decreased plasma volume. Elderly hypertensive patients are generally more 'salt sensitive' than younger patients,13 and therefore diuretics are preferred since they provide excretion of water and salt by the kidney.

Why do diuretics make you tired?

Diuretic medications can lower electrolyte levels such as sodium, potassium, and magnesium, which can lead to fatigue.

What are the different types of diuretics?

Types of diuretics. The three types of diuretic medications are called thiazide, loop, and potassium-sparing diuretics. All of them make your body excrete more fluids as urine.

What are some natural diuretics?

Herb and plant diuretics. Some herbs and plants are considered “natural diuretics,” including: hawthorn. green and black tea. parsley. These substances aren’t meant to be used to replace a prescription diuretic. If you have questions about diuretics and other treatment options, talk to your doctor.

What is a water pill?

Diuretics, also called water pills, are medications designed to increase the amount of water and salt expelled from the body as urine. There are three types of prescription diuretics. They’re often prescribed to help treat high blood pressure, but they’re used for other conditions as well.

What are some examples of thiazides?

Thiazides are sometimes taken with other medications used to lower blood pressure. Examples of thiazides include: chlorthalidone. hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide) metolazone. indapamide.

Can you stop taking diuretics?

Whether or not you have side effects, don’t stop taking your diuretic without first talking to your doctor.

Do diuretics cause arrhythmia?

Potassium-sparing diuretics reduce fluid levels in your body without causing you to lose potassium, an important nutrient. The other types of diuretics cause you to lose potassium, which can lead to health problems such as arrhythmia.

Does diuretic help with blood pressure?

The drugs reduce the amount of fluid in your blood vessels, and this helps lower your blood pressure. Other conditions are also treated with diuretics. Congestive heart failure, for instance, keeps your heart from pumping blood effectively throughout your body. This leads to a buildup of fluids in your body, which is called edema.

What are some examples of diuretics?

Examples of diuretics. There are three types of diuretics: Thiazide. Loop. Potassium sparing. Each type affects a different part of your kidneys. Some pills combine more than one type of diuretic or combine a diuretic with another blood pressure medication.

Can thiazide be used for high blood pressure?

When diuretics are used. Thiazide diuretics are recommended as one of the first drug treatments for high blood pressure. If diuretics aren't enough to lower your blood pressure, your doctor might add other blood pressure medications to your treatment plan.

Can thiazide cause low 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. If you're on a potassium-sparing diuretic, you can have too much potassium in your blood. Other possible side effects of diuretics include: Dizziness. Headaches.

What are the side effects of loop diuretics?

Some of the side effects associated with the use of loop diuretics include: Hypokalemic metabolic alkalosis due to loss of potassium and increased alkalinity of the blood. Ototoxicity or damage to hearing. This damage may be reversible if the drug is stopped.

What are the side effects of carbonic anhydrase inhibitors?

Some of the side effects include: Hyperchloremic metabolic acidosis caused by loss of plasma bicarbonate. Kidney stones due to increased phosphate and calcium excretion. Low potassium level (hypokalemia)

What are the side effects of sulfonamide?

Some of the side effects include: Allergic or hypersensitivity reactions caused by the sulfonamide component of these agents. Reactions include dermatitis, skin rash, photo-dermatitis (light reactions on skin), hemolytic anemia (breakdown of the red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts) and acute necrotizing pancreatitis.

What are the reactions of a syringe?

Reactions include dermatitis, skin rash, photo-dermatitis (light reactions on skin), hemolytic anemia (breakdown of the red blood cells), thrombocytopenia (low platelet counts) and acute necrotizing pancreatitis. Weakness and tiredness. Paresthesias or numbness of the limbs. Impotence.

Overview

Diuretics ― also known as water pills ― are medicines that help you move extra fluid and salt out of your body. They make you pee more frequently, which is why you should take them in the morning if you can. You may need to take diuretics once or twice a day at the same time each day.

Frequently Asked Questions

Diuretics help your body dispose of extra fluid and salt. They also treat a variety of medical problems, such as heart failure and high blood pressure.

What is the purpose of diuretics?

Read on to know what they are…. Diuretics refer to foods or medications that promote removal of excess water and salt (sodium) from your body, in the form of urine. If required, doctors prescribe specific medicines that act as diuretics and help lose excess water from your body.

What are some examples of potassium sparing diuretics?

Potassium sparing diuretics, Examples: Amiloride, Spironolactone ( Aldactone). These are used more often in the treatment of congestive heart failure. Some pills may contain combinations of the different types. Vegetables like asparagus, tomatoes and oats are examples of natural diuretic foods.

What are the side effects of thiazide?

As the body tries to adjust to the medication, the initial side effects of thiazide diuretics may reflect as loss of appetite, itching, blurred vision, headache, stomach upset and weakness. Some individuals even feel dizzy and light-headed during the first few days.

What is loop diuretic?

Loop diuretics are used in the treatment of heart failure and certain liver and kidney disorders. Fluid accumulation in lungs often leads to difficulty in breathing. These pills help get rid of the excess fluid.

Why does the kidney not work properly?

Under certain conditions, when the kidneys are not be able to work properly, they may absorb larger amounts of water and salts back into the bloodstream during the process of blood purification. This creates problems for the heart as it has to pump a larger volume of blood through the body. Besides, the excess amount of water may leak ...

Can diuretics cause breast enlargement?

Sometimes, diuretics can lead to ‘enlargement of breasts (gynecomastia)’ in men.

Do you need to consult a doctor before taking diuretics?

So, consulting a physician before and after taking diuretics; and monitoring the effectiveness of the diuretics is very important. Patients who take higher doses are at a greater risk of developing the side-effects. Older patients are more likely to suffer from the side effects and may require close observation.

How long after taking a syringe can you pee?

Side Effects. The water that comes out of your body has to go somewhere, so you can expect to be peeing more and more often for several hours after a dose. You also run the risk of getting dehydrated, and simply drinking more fluids may not be enough. Call your doctor if you're very thirsty or have a very dry mouth, your pee is a deep yellow, ...

Why is my blood pressure lower?

Because you have less total fluid in your blood vessels, like a garden hose that's not turned on all the way, the pressure inside will be lower. This also makes it easier for your heart to pump. They're usually the first type of medication that your doctor will try to control your blood pressure.

What is the best medicine for high blood pressure?

Diuretics (Water Pills) for High Blood Pressure. Medically Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on May 07, 2021. Commonly known as " water pills ," these drugs help your kidneys get rid of extra water and salt from your body through your pee. Because you have less total fluid in your blood vessels, like a garden hose that's not turned on all ...

Can you take diuretic in the morning?

If you only need one dose a day, you might want to take your diuretic in the morning so you can sleep through the night instead of getting up to go to the bathroom. Avoid alcohol and medicines to help you sleep. They may make side effects worse.

Can potassium diuretics cause bone loss?

We don't know how these drugs affect an unborn baby. And many pass into breast milk, which can make the baby dehydrated. Kids can safely take them, but they need smaller doses. The side effects are similar to adults. But potassium-sparing diuretics can cause low levels of calcium, which could hurt bone development.

What are the side effects of taking a diuretic?

Side effects vary depending on the type of diuretic taken: however, the more common side effects of diuretics include: Changes in electrolyte levels ( such as potassium, sodium, calcium or magnesium levels), depending on the type of diuretic. Constipation. Dizziness. Dry mouth.

What is the purpose of diuretics?

Diuretics are used to treat conditions that have fluid retention (also called edema) as a symptom, such as heart failure, kidney failure and cirrhosis of the liver. They are also effective at reducing blood pressure and some (such as thiazides and loop diuretics) are used in the treatment of high blood pressure (hypertension).

What are the different types of diuretics?

There are several different classes of diuretics, including carbonic anhydrase inhibitors, loop diuretics, potassium-sparing diuretics, and thiazide diuretics . Each type works in a distinct way and in different parts of the kidney cell (called a nephron).

What is a thiazide diuretic?

Thiazide diuretics inhibit the sodium/chloride cotransporter located in the distal convoluted tubule of a kidney cell. This decreases the amount of sodium reabsorbed back into the body, which results in more fluid being passed as urine. Thiazides are relatively weak diuretics. Generic name. Brand name examples.

How does carbonic anhydrase inhibitor work?

Carbonic anhydrase inhibitors act by increasing the amount of bicarbonate, sodium, potassium, and water excreted from the kidney. They are relatively weak diuretics. They also reduce fluid levels in the eye and may be used to treat glaucoma and are sometimes used off-label to treat altitude sickness.

How does each class of diuretics work?

Each class of diuretic works in a different way to remove salt and water from the kidney, which means they have different potencies and different side effects. Below, we have grouped the most common diuretics into their respective classes.

What is a diuretic pill?

What are Diuretics? Diuretics (also called water pills or fluid pills) are medicines that increase the amount of urine you produce. Urination is the body’s way of removing excess salt and water. Not only does this relieve symptoms such as ankle swelling, it also helps to lower blood pressure.