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Diuretics are medicines that help
reduce the amount of water in the
body. Diuretics are used to treat
the buildup of excess fluid in the
body that occurs with some medical
conditions such as congestive heart
failure, liver disease, and kidney
disease. Some diuretics are also prescribed
to treat high blood pressure. These
drugs act on the kidneys to increase
urine output. This reduces the amount
of fluid in the bloodstream, which
in turn lowers blood pressure. There
are several types of diuretics, also
called water pills which includes
loop diuretics, thiazide diuretics
and potassium-sparing diuretics
What precautions do I need to take
for diuretics?
Consult your physician periodically
while taking diuretics. This may help
you prevent serious side effects.
Because diuretics increase urine output,
people who take this medicine may
need to urinate more often, even during
the night. Health care professionals
can help patients schedule their doses
to avoid interfering with their sleep
or regular activities.
People who take diuretics may lose
too much water or potassium when they
get sick, especially if they have
severe vomiting and diarrhea. They
should check with their physicians
if they become ill.
These medicines make some people
feel lightheaded, dizzy or faint when
they get up after sitting or lying
down. Older people are especially
likely to have this problem. Drinking
alcohol, exercising, standing for
long periods or being in hot weather
may worsen your problem. Avoid drinking
too much alcohol and be careful in
hot weather or when exercising or
standing for a long time.
What are the likely side effects
of diuretics?
Some side effects, such as loss of
appetite, nausea and vomiting, stomach
cramps, diarrhea and dizziness, usually
lessen or go away as the body adjusts
to the medicine. These problems do
not need medical attention unless
they continue or interfere with normal
activities.
Patients taking potassium-sparing
diuretics should know the signs of
too much potassium and should check
with a physician as soon as possible
if any of these symptoms occur:
- Irregular heartbeat
- Breathing problems
- Numbness or tingling in the hands,
feet or lips
- Confusion or nervousness
- Unusual tiredness or weakness
Patients taking diuretics that cause
potassium loss should know the signs
of too little potassium and should
check with a physician as soon as
possible if they have any of these
symptoms:
- Fast or irregular heartbeat
- Weak pulse
- Nausea or vomiting
- Dry mouth
- Excessive thirst
What are the likely drug interactions
of diuretics?
Diuretics may interact with other
medicines. The drugs that may interact
with diuretics are:
- Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE)
inhibitors such as Benazepril (Lotensin),
Captopril (Capoten) and Enalapril
(Vasotec), used to treat high blood
pressure. Taking these drugs with
potassium-sparing diuretics may cause
levels of potassium in the blood to
be too high, increasing the chance
of side effects.
- Cholesterol-lowering drugs such
as Cholestyramine (Questran) and Colestipol
(Colestid). Taking these drugs with
combination diuretics such as Dyazide
and Maxzide may keep the diuretic
from working. Take the diuretic at
least 1 hour before or 4 hours after
the cholesterol-lowering drug.
- Cyclosporine (Sandimmune), a medicine
that suppresses the immune system.
Taking this medicine with potassium-sparing
diuretics may increase the chance
of side effects by causing levels
of potassium in the blood to be too
high.
- Potassium supplements, other medicines
containing potassium, or salt substitutes
that contain potassium. Taking these
with potassium-sparing diuretics may
lead to too much potassium in the
blood, increasing the chance of side
effects.
- Lithium, used to treat bipolar disorder
(manic-depressive illness). Using
this medicine with potassium-sparing
diuretics may allow lithium to build
up to poisonous.
The list above does not include all
the drugs that may interact with diuretics.
Check with a physician or pharmacist
before combining diuretics with any
other prescription or
nonprescription (over-the-counter)
medicine.
What are the medications that come
under diuretics ?
The following are the drugs that
fall under the category Diuretics
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