What Are Diuretics?

Diuretics are a common medication used to treat high blood pressure. They are relatively inexpensive and are widely available. In addition to high blood pressure, diuretics are often used to treat other illnesses, including:

* Heart Failure
* Edema
* Some types of poisoning

While the general action of diuretics is to increase excretion of salt and water, many diuretics can lower blood pressure at lower doses than those needed to cause diuresis (excretion).

Diuretic Types and Brands. The many brands of diuretics are generally inexpensive. Some need to be taken once a day, some twice a day. Low doses are usually as effective for lowering blood pressure as higher doses. Diuretics are usually used in combination with other drugs, especially ACE inhibitors and beta blockers.

The three main types of diuretics include:

* Thiazide diuretics. These include chlorothiazide (Diuril), chlorthalidone (Hygroton), indapamide (Lozol), hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDiuril), bendroflumethiazide (Naturen), methylclothiazide, (Edduran), and metolazone (Mykrox, Zaroxolyn). In most cases, thiazides are preferred to other diruetics for treatment of high blood pressure.
* Potassium-sparing diuretics. These include amiloride (Midamor), spironolactone (Aldactone), and triamterene (Dyrenium).
* Loop diuretics. Because loop diuretics act faster than other diuretics it is important to avoid dehydration and potassium loss. Loop diuretics include bumetanide (Bumex), furosemide (Lasix), ethacrynic acid (Edecrin), and torsemide (Demadex).

Problems with Diuretics.

* Loop and thiazide diuretics reduce the body's supply of potassium, which, if left untreated, increases the risk for arrhythmias. Arrhythmias are heart rhythm disturbances that can, rarely, lead to cardiac arrest. In these cases, doctors will prescribe lower doses of the current diuretic, recommend potassium supplements, or use potassium-sparing diuretics either alone or in combination with a thiazide.
* Potassium-sparing drugs have their own risks, which include dangerously high levels of potassium in people with existing elevated levels of potassium or in those with damaged kidneys. However, all diuretics are generally more beneficial than harmful.
* Thiazide diuretics may increase blood sugar levels.
* Erectile dysfunction (impotence) may be a side effect of thiazides.
* Elevated uric acid levels, and possibly gout, may be caused by thiazide diuretics.

Common Diuretic Side Effect Symptoms.

* Fatigue
* Depression and irritability
* Urinary incontinence* Reduced sexual drive and problems with obtaining and maintaining an erection