2. ๏ฎ A diuretic is a substance that removes water fromA diuretic is a substance that removes water from
the body by promoting urine formation and thethe body by promoting urine formation and the
loss of salt (sodium).loss of salt (sodium).
๏ฎ And it is considered as a drug used to increaseAnd it is considered as a drug used to increase
urine output. Diuretics are prescribed for theurine output. Diuretics are prescribed for the
treatment of edema (the accumulation of excesstreatment of edema (the accumulation of excess
fluids in the tissues of the body), which oftenfluids in the tissues of the body), which often
occurs as the result of disease of the kidneys,occurs as the result of disease of the kidneys,
liver, lungs, or heart. Diuretics are also used toliver, lungs, or heart. Diuretics are also used to
treat hypertension (high blood pressure).treat hypertension (high blood pressure).
3. USES OF DIURETICSUSES OF DIURETICS
๏ฎ TREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURETREATMENT OF HIGH BLOOD PRESSURE
๏ฎ TREATMENT OF FLUID RETENTION (including heart failure,TREATMENT OF FLUID RETENTION (including heart failure,
kidney failure, cirrhosis)kidney failure, cirrhosis)
๏ฎ TREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE (Spironolactone andTREATMENT OF HEART FAILURE (Spironolactone and
Eplerenone)Eplerenone)
๏ฎ PREVENTION OF CALCIUM KIDNEY STONESPREVENTION OF CALCIUM KIDNEY STONES
๏ฎ TREATMENT OF NEPHROGENIC DIABETES INSIPIDUSTREATMENT OF NEPHROGENIC DIABETES INSIPIDUS
๏ฎ TREATMENT OF RENAL TUBULAR ACIDOSISTREATMENT OF RENAL TUBULAR ACIDOSIS
๏ฎ TREATMENT OF MENIERE'S DISEASETREATMENT OF MENIERE'S DISEASE
4. Why do I need to take a diuretic?Why do I need to take a diuretic?
๏ฎ Diuretics are sometimes calledDiuretics are sometimes called
"water pills." They are used to treat"water pills." They are used to treat
congestive heart failure (CHF), highcongestive heart failure (CHF), high
blood pressure (hypertension), orblood pressure (hypertension), or
edema (water retention). Diureticsedema (water retention). Diuretics
are also prescribed for certain kindsare also prescribed for certain kinds
of kidney or liver diseases.of kidney or liver diseases.
5. How do diuretics work?How do diuretics work?
๏ฎ There are 3 types of diuretic medicines. EachThere are 3 types of diuretic medicines. Each
type works a little differently, but they all lowertype works a little differently, but they all lower
the amount of salt and water in your body, whichthe amount of salt and water in your body, which
helps to lower your blood pressure.helps to lower your blood pressure.
๏ฎ 1. Thiazide diuretics1. Thiazide diuretics
๏ฎ 2. Potassium-sparing diuretics2. Potassium-sparing diuretics
๏ฎ 3. Loop-acting diuretics3. Loop-acting diuretics
6.
7. What if I am taking otherWhat if I am taking other
medicines?medicines?
๏ฎ Other medicines that you may beOther medicines that you may be
taking can increase or decrease thetaking can increase or decrease the
effect of diuretics. These effects areeffect of diuretics. These effects are
called an interaction. Be sure to tellcalled an interaction. Be sure to tell
your doctor about every medicineyour doctor about every medicine
and vitamin or herbal supplementand vitamin or herbal supplement
that you are taking, so he or she canthat you are taking, so he or she can
make you aware of any interactions.make you aware of any interactions.
8. Common side effects:Common side effects:
๏ฎ WeaknessWeakness
๏ฎ Muscle crampsMuscle cramps
๏ฎ Skin rashSkin rash
๏ฎ Increased sensitivity to sunlight (withIncreased sensitivity to sunlight (with
thiazide diuretics)thiazide diuretics)
๏ฎ Throwing upThrowing up
๏ฎ DiarrheaDiarrhea
๏ฎ CrampsCramps
๏ฎ Dizziness or lightheadednessDizziness or lightheadedness
๏ฎ Joint painJoint pain