This will help you avoid having to get up at night to urinate. A potential side effect of this activity is that they may cause electrolyte imbalances. Pdf the choice of drugs to initiate therapy for the management of. Diuretics 3 side effects loop diuretics act on the loop of henle in the kidney and prevent reabsorption of water and salt. Read more about the prescription drug thiazide diuretics. The most common side effect associated with diuretics is an increased elimination of potassium, resulting in a dangerously low level of potassium in the body. Although this helps the heart to function better as it has lesser volume of blood to pump, there are certain side effects that an. Sep 05, 2019 given these varied side effects, you may be tempted to replace your medications with natural diuretics for blood pressure reduction, instead. Diuretics can cause extreme weight loss, lightheadedness, or increased blood pressure. You may want to take diuretics early in the morning andor afternoon. Side effects loop diuretics act on the loop of henle in the kidney and prevent reabsorption of water and salt. Sideeffects are unwanted effects that you may get from taking a medicine. However, in more symptomatic patients nyha iiiiv and in patients with renal impairment, loop.
If he or she prescribes a special diet, such as a lowsodium diet with plenty of potassiumrich fruits and vegetables or, in some cases, a potassium pill. They help your body get rid of extra water and salt. Learn more about diuretics, commonly administered heart medications. Consumer information about the medication thiazide diuretics side effects, drug interactions, recommended dosages, and storage information. Pdf thiazide diuretics in the treatment of hypertension. Electrolyte imbalance the adverse effects of diuretic therapy are mainly due to the fluid and electrolyte imbalance induced by the drugs. Including uses, types, side effect, and drug interaction.
Rare cases of interstitial nephritis have been associated with hctz. What should you do if you have more side effects while taking diuretics. Journal of gerontological nursing there is increasing concern about possible or potential side effects of diuretics, particularly in the elderly. Loop diuretics mechanism of action is on the thick.
The carbonic anhydraseinhibiting potency of thiazide diuretics varies between. There are many different types of diuretic, and each one has different potential sideeffects. You can minimize side effects of furosemide lasix, a powerful diuretic that reduces fluid retention edema in people with heart failure, by following your doctors instructions carefully. Potassiumsparing diuretics such as spironolactone, amiloride, and triamterene all have the potential to cause. What should you do if you have more side effects while taking diuretics along with medicines for heart failure. However, they also increase the amount of potassium passed out of the body through the kidneys. Thiazide diuretics must be used at appropriate andor optimal doses to achieve the optimal antihypertensive effect with the smallest occurrence of side effects, including alterations in glucose. Although many studies had been conducted to evaluate the effect of the diuretics on oral dryness, none of the studies had evaluated the effects of diuretics on all parameters of saliva such as flow rate, composition of ions, proteins, ph and buffering capacity, prevalence of caries, gingival diseases, periodontal diseases and mucosal lesions. Below, we have grouped the most common diuretics into their respective classes. Long term side effects of diuretics answers on healthtap. Diuretics, also known as water pills, belong to a class of medications that remove excess salt and water from the body. Loop diuretics pharmacology nursing mechanism of action. From the hypertension research center, indiana university. Each class of diuretic works in a different way to remove salt and water from the kidney, which means they have different potencies and.
An account is given of the adverse effects of diuretics and how they. Annual seda is a series of volumes which supplements meylers side effects of drugs. Other side effects include gout, which results from raised uric acid levels hyperuricaemia table 2, fig. Each class of diuretic works in a different way to remove salt and water from the kidney, which means they have different potencies and different side effects. Faqs information on diuretic drugs and the diseases and conditions they are prescribed for. These unique properties result in biologic effects specific to drugs within the class that can be complementary to other diuretics, especially kaliuretic agents such as loop diuretics and thiazides. Sica md from the departments of medicine and pharmacology, section of clinical pharmacology and hypertension. Potassiumsparing diuretics an overview sciencedirect. They are often used to treat hypertension, or high blood pressure. Side effects include increased urination and sodium loss.
What are diuretics, know its functions, uses, types, side. Learn about the three types of diuretics available, what. Low levels of potassium and magnesium in the blood can result in abnormal heart rhythms. If you have side effects, talk to your pharmacist or healthcare provider. Clinical pharmacology in diuretic use american society. In addition to getting rid of extra salt in your body, diuretic medications also affect levels of potassium. If you take a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level. A diuretic, a type of drug also known as water pills, helps rid the body of extra water and lower blood pressure. If switching from maoi to another antidepressant, ensure a 14day washout. Thiazide diuretics result in the formation of hyperosmolar urine and can be used as substitutes for antidiuretic hormone in the treatment of diabetes inspidus.
Several overviews of the potential adverse effects of diuretics are avail able. Changes in electrolyte levels such as potassium, sodium, calcium or magnesium levels, depending on the type of diuretic. Potassiumsparing diuretics information, uses and side effects. Diuretics help the body to lose excess amount of water. If switching from another antidepressant to an maoi, minimum washout is 2 weeks for drug without long halflife and 5 weeks for drug with long halflife e. The most important and frequent problem with thiazide and loop diuretics is hypokalemia. Thiazide diuretics can be used in milder cases, particularly if there is no renal impairment. Although the available diuretic drugs possess distinctive pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that affect both response and potential for adverse effects, many clinicians use them in a stereotyped manner, reducing effectiveness and potentially increasing side effects common diuretic side effects are listed in table 1. With the exception of potassiumsparing versions, all diuretics may cause a loss of potassium, which, if left untreated, increases the risk for heart rhythm. These pills prevent water retention in the body and help to get rid of them through urination. Diuretics arent recommended for women who are pregnant or breastfeeding. Other possible side effects include lightheadedness, fatigue, bowel changes, and muscle cramps.
Given these varied side effects, you may be tempted to replace your medications with natural diuretics for blood pressure reduction, instead. Thiazide diuretics and diabetes video harvard health. Pdf actual place of diuretics in hypertension treatment. For example, ontarios medscheck program provides free. Although this helps the heart to function better as it has lesser volume of blood to pump, there are certain side effects that an individual taking them may experience.
All diuretics increase the excretion of water from bodies, although each class does so in a distinct way. Diurectics are often the first medication to try for high blood pressure hypertension. While no medication is free of side effects or risks, the current. If you take a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level can drop too low hypokalemia, which can cause lifethreatening problems with your heartbeat. Pdf diuretics represent a large and heterogeneous class of drugs, differing from each other by structure, site and mechanism of action. May 05, 2019 renal side effects including new or worsened renal insufficiency may occur due to hctzinduced intravascular volume depletion. Clinical pharmacology in diuretic use american society of. Diuretics, also commonly called water pills, are medications that help increase the amount of water and salt thats lost from the body. Even in hypoalbuminuria, there is not enough free drug at one time to. Diuretics play significant role in pharmacology and treatment options in medicine. Some diuretics are sulfa drugs, so they could cause a reaction if youre allergic.
Easy to remember pharmacology mnemonics with pictures by. Tips for taking diuretic medications harvard health. Oct 04, 2018 loop diuretics and thiazide diuretics are stronger than potassiumsparing diuretics with regard to making the kidneys pass out more fluid. A reader asks, thiazide diuretics are recommended for high blood pressure, but the allhat study linked them to diabetes. What are the major side effects of thiazide diuretics. A potentially serious side effect of potassiumsparing diuretics is hyperkalemia. Although no medication is free of adverse effects or risks, the current evidence continues to suggest that the beneficial effects of thiazide diuretics outweigh the hazards for many, although not all, hypertensive individuals. The main function of diuretics is to increase the output of urine, thereby helping to manage high blood pressure. Diuretics are used to rid the body of extra fluid or salt. Although many studies had been conducted to evaluate the effect of the diuretics on oral dryness, none of the studies had evaluated the effects of diuretics on all parameters of saliva such as flow rate. Diuretics cause to increase urination and loss of minerals, as a result of which dehydration and loss of sodium from the body is common.
Side effects vary depending on the type of diuretic taken. The types of side effects caused by a diuretic depends on the drugs mechanism of action. Use this guide to help you talk to your doctor about your blood pressure medicines ask your doctor about the risks of taking your medicine. Low potassium levels from diuretics harvard health. Diuretics are water pills and are mainly used for improper blood pressure patients.
They help the kidneys eliminate sodium and water from the body. Diuretics are among the most important drugs of our therapeutic. Renal side effects including new or worsened renal insufficiency may occur due to hctzinduced intravascular volume depletion. High blood pressure medicines use this guide to help you talk to your doctor, pharmacist, or nurse about your blood pressure medicines. The international encyclopedia of adverse drug reactions and interactions.
May 15, 2018 what are the differences between diuretics. The potassiumsparing diuretics act via mechanisms in the renal tubule that are distinct from those of other diuretic agents. Diuretics, commonly called water pills, are the oldest and some of the least expensive class of drugs used to treat high blood pressure. This sometimes requires treatment with potassium supplements or with a potassiumsparing diuretic. Find out how diuretics, also called water pills, lower blood pressure, and learn about their possible side effects. Although the available diuretic drugs possess distinctive pharmacokinetic and pharmacodynamic properties that affect both response and potential for adverse effects, many. Although no medication is free of adverse effects or risks, the current evidence continues to suggest that the beneficial effects of thiazide diuretics outweigh the hazards for many, although not all. Thiazide diuretics can lower potassium and magnesium blood levels since they are both eliminated in urine. Handbook covers dosage, side effects, interactions, uses. Different classes of diuretics have different side effect profiles. If your doctor prescribes a diuretic, feel free to ask them any questions you may have.
Langford, anthony cox, in comprehensive hypertension, 2007. Although diuretic drinks and foods can be healthy and beneficial, these products may not function in the same way as your diuretic medications especially if youre taking potassiumsparing diuretics. If you have heart failure, what should you tell your doctor about before being. Potassiumsparing diuretics are often combined with either a loop diuretic or a thiazide diuretic. Some individuals even feel dizzy and lightheaded during the first few days. Thiazide diuretics are medications that help remove extra fluid volume from the blood through increased urination. Nov 22, 2017 diuretics are used to rid the body of extra fluid or salt. People with high blood pressure, heart failure, swollen tissues, and kidney disease often use diuretics to treat these conditions. Hypertension and heart failure are the two main indications for diuretic therapy, each. As the body tries to adjust to the medication, the initial side effects of thiazide diuretics may reflect as loss of appetite, itching, blurred vision, headache, stomach upset and weakness. Effect of diuretics on salivary flow, composition and oral. Older people tend to have more side effects such as fainting and dizziness from dehydration. Easy to remember pharmacology mnemonics with pictures. Doctors give trusted, helpful answers on causes, diagnosis, symptoms, treatment, and more.