Diuretics, also called ‘water pills’, are a class of medicines that are used to reduce high blood-pressure. Fluid retention is a symptom or consequence of several health conditions. This means, salts and water start accumulating in blood-vessels in one or more parts of the body. This increases the pressure in them, and hence the risk of certain cardiovascular conditions. In such a scenario, diuretics are given to the patient. These medicines help remove the excess water and salt in the body, and eliminate it through the urine. Incidentally, diuretics can also be used to treat certain ailments other than hypertension (high blood pressure) which is why they have gained prominence in the last couple of decades.
Diuretics are also given along with other medication (called adjunctive therapy) for:
One of the primary functions of the kidneys is to ensure a careful balance between the levels of sodium (salt is sodium chloride) and water in the body. This means, if sodium chloride is eliminated from the body, water is also eliminated along with them. Similarly, if sodium chloride is retained in the body due to one or more health conditions, water is also retained. They always stick together.
Diuretics are a class of medicines that remove the excess sodium from the body through the urine. As Sodium carries water along, there is more urination (called diuresis).
The body always tries to maintain the balance of sodium and water, from both dietary intake and medication consumed by the person. So if the person is consuming more sodium through the diet than what is leaving the body, the consequences are hypertension, edema and pulmonary edema. Similarly, prolonged use of diuretics can cause dehydration (as more and more water is eliminated from the body), low blood pressure and kidney failure.
There are 5 types of diuretics with the first 3 being more prominent.
Examples include: bumetanide (Bumex), torsemide [(Demadex) (oral or injection)], furosemide [(Lasix) (oral or injection)] and ethacrynate (Edecrin)
Examples include: chlorothiazide [(Diuril) (oral or sodium injection)], metolazone (Zaroxolyn, Diulo, Mykrox), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), methyclothiazide (Enduron), indapamide (Lozol) and hydrochlorothiazide (Hydrodiuril)
Examples include: Amiloride hydrochloride, triamterene (Dyrenium) and spironolactone (Aldactone)
Examples include: Acetazolamide Tablets, Acetazolamide Injection and Methazolamide
Examples include: glycerin (Glycerol), Urea, Isosorbide and Mannitol IV
In-spite of their wide usage, diuretics come with their own side-effects, risks, complications and disadvantages if they are used for long, or consumed in high doses. However, doctors treating the patient are aware of this, and will take the necessary caution. So this section is just for your knowledge.
Increased elimination of water can concentrate uric acid in the body. This leads to
There are certain classes of patients who are not advised diuretics due to complications resulting from the same. The doctors are aware of this and will cover this in the initial examination.
Reviewed by Dr Suresh S Venkita, Group Medical Director, Kauvery Hospitals
Kauvery Hospital is globally known for its multidisciplinary services at all its Centers of Excellence, and for its comprehensive, Avant-Grade technology, especially in diagnostics and remedial care in heart diseases, transplantation, vascular and neurosciences medicine. Located in the heart of Trichy (Tennur, Royal Road and Alexandria Road (Cantonment), Chennai, Hosur, Salem, Tirunelveli and Bengaluru, the hospital also renders adult and pediatric trauma care.
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NOTE: Take medications only when prescribed by your doctors, self-medication must be avoided under any circumstances.
