hydrochlorothiazide and hydrochlorothiazide combinations
Lozol
indapamide
Loop diuretics
Loop diuretics are prescribed for people who also have
heart failure, kidney problems, or swelling in their
legs (edema), but they are rarely prescribed for people who have high blood
pressure alone. Loop diuretics quickly increase urine output for a few hours.
Brand Name
Generic Name
Chemical Name
Bumex
bumetanide
Lasix
furosemide
Demadex
torsemide
Potassium-sparing diuretics
Potassium-sparing diuretics, unlike most other
diuretics, do not cause potassium levels to drop. Rather, they may lead to high
potassium levels.
Brand Name
Generic Name
Chemical Name
amiloride
Aldactazide, Aldactone
spironolactone and spironolactone combinations
Dyazide, Maxzide
triamterene and triamterene combinations
Other
Brand Name
Generic Name
Chemical Name
Diulo, Zaroxolyn
metolazone
How It Works
Diuretics cause the kidneys to remove more
sodium and water from the body which helps to relax
the blood vessel walls, thereby lowering blood pressure.
Diuretics often are combined with other
high blood pressure medicines. Some of the brand names
listed here are a combination of a diuretic and another medicine. Using both a
diuretic and another medicine often works well because diuretics can enhance
the effect of the other medicines and sometimes prevent the fluid retention
that can occur.
Why It Is Used
Diuretics are recommended as the first line of treatment for high
blood pressure.1 They are usually recommended as one
of at least two medicines to control high blood pressure.
Diuretics are especially beneficial in African Americans, older
adults, people who are overweight, and people who have
heart failure.
Because diuretics may raise cholesterol, make diabetes worse, cause
gout, and make some types of heart disease worse, they
need to be used carefully.
How Well It Works
Diuretics reduce the risk of heart disease,
heart attack, and
stroke by reducing blood pressure.
Loop diuretics don't work as well as thiazide medicines in people
who have kidneys that function well.2
Side Effects
Side effects of diuretics include:
Increased thirst.
Increased
urination for a few days after beginning the medicine (thiazide diuretics).
Reduced levels of potassium, magnesium, and sodium in the blood.
Very low levels of potassium can lead to serious irregular heartbeats
(arrhythmias).
Increased levels of uric acid (which may lead to
gout), calcium, blood sugar (which may complicate control of diabetes), and
cholesterol.
Weakness.
Erection problems
(impotence).
Excess fluid loss from the body (dehydration) and
fainting at higher doses, especially in older adults.
Dry
mouth.
Tooth decay (dental caries).
Interaction with
other medicines, such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), certain
cholesterol-lowering drugs (such as cholestyramine), and lithium, a medicine
used to treat certain mental illnesses.
See Drug Reference for a full list of side effects. (Drug Reference
is not available in all systems.)
What To Think About
Potassium pills may need to be taken with some diuretics. A diet
high in potassium also may be needed. Potassium is found in citrus fruits,
bananas, tomatoes, and other foods. See your doctor before starting potassium
supplements or making changes in your diet.
Most diuretics contain sulfa and should not be taken if you are
allergic to it.
These drugs are often inexpensive, although a person may need
regular blood tests while taking them, which can increase the cost of using
them.
It is important to take high blood pressure medicines daily as
prescribed. Because high blood pressure often has no symptoms, it is easy to
forget to take the medicine.
If your high blood pressure medicine causes
erection problems, you may want to talk to your doctor
about erection-enhancing medicines such as sildenafil (Viagra).
Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (2003). Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure JNC Express
(NIH Publication No. 03-5233). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
Drugs for hypertension (2005). Treatment Guidelines From the Medical Letter, 3(34):
39-48.
This information does not replace the advice of a doctor. Healthwise disclaims any warranty or liability for your use of this information. Your use of this information means that you agree to the Terms of Use. How this information was developed to help you make better health decisions.
Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection,
Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure (2003). Seventh Report of the Joint National Committee on Prevention, Detection, Evaluation, and Treatment of High Blood Pressure JNC Express
(NIH Publication No. 03-5233). Bethesda, MD: U.S. Department of Health and
Human Services.
Drugs for hypertension (2005). Treatment Guidelines From the Medical Letter, 3(34):
39-48.
