Diuretics are also called water pills. Diuretics are a common treatment for high blood pressure. Diuretics help get rid of salt (sodium) and water from your body. Most diuretic medicines help your kidneys excrete more sodium in the urine. Sodium helps remove sodium from the blood, which in turn lowers blood pressure by reducing the amount of fluid flowing through veins and arteries.
Types of diuretics
There are three types of diuretics such as:
thiazide,
loop diuretics,
Potassium sparing,
Each type of diuretic affects a different part of your kidney. Some diuretic pills combine more than one type of diuretic or combine a diuretic with another blood pressure medicine. It all depends on your health and the condition being treated, which diuretic is best for you.
thiazide diuretics such as:
chlorthalidone,
chlorothiazide,
Indapamide,
hydrochlorothiazide,
metolazone,
loop diuretics such as:
furosemide,
torsemide,
bumetanide,
ethacrynic acid,
Potassium-sparing diuretics such as:
spironolactone,
triamterene,
amiloride,
eplerenone,
Thiazide diuretics are recommended as the first drug treatment for high blood pressure.
When diuretics aren't enough to lower blood pressure, your doctor may add other blood pressure medications to the diuretic.
Use of diuretics such as:
It is also used to prevent, treat, or improve symptoms in people who have:
heart failure
liver failure
tissue swelling (edema)
certain kidney disorders, such as kidney stones,
Diuretics are generally safe. Their side effects include sodium depletion and increased urination.
Diuretics can also affect blood potassium levels. If you take thiazide diuretics, your potassium level may become too low (hypokalemia), which can cause life-threatening complications with your heart palpitations. If you are on potassium-sparing diuretics, you may have too much potassium in your blood.
Other possible side effects of diuretics include:
muscle cramps
dizzy
headache
dehydration
joint disorder (gout)
impotence,