Diuretics are drugs that promote the excretion of sodium and water in urine, classified into high, medium, and weak efficacy categories. High efficacy diuretics include loop and osmotic diuretics, while medium efficacy ones mainly consist of thiazides; potassium sparing diuretics serve as adjunctive treatments. Despite their uses in managing conditions like hypertension and edema, diuretics carry potential adverse effects such as electrolyte imbalances and specific contraindications.