DIURETICS

Diuretics, or "water pills," are drugs that increase the loss of water and salt through the urine. They are prescribed for several common conditions, including high blood pressure, congestive heart failure, and other conditions in which there is swelling. These can be very powerful drugs. Make sure you know why you are taking your diuretic and how you are supposed to take it.

Diuretics must be taken on a regular basis to be effective. Do not stop taking your prescription before speaking to your healthcare provider.

If you are taking a diuretic for high blood pressure, do not expect any sudden changes in your blood pressure or amount of urination. The effect of diuretics on high blood pressure is gradual, taking up to 6 weeks for a full effect. If you are taking a diuretic for congestive heart failure or other condition with swelling, you probably will notice that you will need to urinate more often. If this becomes a problem at night, let your healthcare provider know.

Both high blood pressure and congestive heart failure can also be helped by cutting down on the amount of salt in your diet. Ask your provider or dietitian for specific ideas on how to reduce the amount of sodium in your diet.

Diuretics given alone or with other medications can cause side effects. The most common side effect is low blood pressure caused by the loss of too much fluid. This is more common in people over the age of 65 and with people taking other medications that can lower blood pressure. An early sign of losing too much fluid is becoming dizzy or lightheaded when standing up. Always get up slowly, especially at night or first thing in the morning. If you do feel dizzy, lie back down and call your healthcare provider.

Diuretics can also cause changes in blood chemistry. You will be asked to have periodic blood tests to check these. Eating foods high in potassium may be helpful. Ask your provider or dietitian if you should do this.

If you are diabetic, the diuretic may increase your blood sugar. You may need to check your blood sugar more often when first starting a diuretic. If you have any questions about diuretics, contact your healthcare provider or pharmacist.

Disclaimer: This content is reviewed periodically and is subject to change as new health information becomes available. The information provided is intended to be informative and educational and is not a replacement for professional medical evaluation, advice, diagnosis or treatment by a healthcare professional.

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