Water Pills or Diuretics

Diuretics also known as "water pills" are medications used to treat fluid retention in the body. They work by getting rid of excess water and sodium through the kidneys. Fluid retention can be caused by conditions such as congestive heart failure and diabetes insipidus. With CHF, <>the heart is unable to pump blood effectively causing the blood to back up in the veins when returning to the heart. This causes fluid to go out of the veins causing edema (swelling).

There re 3 types of diuretics:

Loop diuretics
Furosemide (Lasix)
Bumetanide (Bumex)

Thiazides
Hydrochlorothiazide
Metolazone (Zaroxolyn)

Potassium-sparing diuretics
Spironolactone (Aldactone)
Eplerenone (Inspra)

The most common treatment of diuretics is high blood pressure. As the body gets rid of excess fluids, the blood pressure starts to get lower. <>Your Doctor will devise a plan and will put you on a diuretic that is best for you.

Please make sure you take your medications as prescribed and learn how to check your pulse and blood pressure because if they are too low, they can drop to dangerous levels. You need to notify your physician immediately if you experience any side effects when taking diuretics. Your Doctor may stop your medication and prescribe a new one. Also make sure you receive complete information from your Doctor or your pharmacist and read all the medication interactions, precautions, and side effects.

Heart attacks are the number one killer in America, millions of others are recovering from one, and millions are at risk. For this reason, lots and lots of people are taking heart medications. If you are taking them, you are not alone.

Learn how to take your medications. Click here to get a few tips on self medication administration.







Disclaimer

The information in this section and throughout this site is not meant to diagnose and does not provide any legal advice whatsoever. It is recommended to consult a physician if you have any questions or concerns regarding illnesses, prescribed and over the counter medications including, supplements, herbal and any other types of medicines.