Risks / Benefits
What are the advantages of a diuretic?
Diuretic pills give many people good results, especially for treating high blood pressure. Also, people generally don’t have bad side effects with diuretics V体育官网入口. Some natural options, like herbal supplements, may help, but water pills can provide more reliable results. Although the caffeine in natural diuretics like coffee or tea makes you pee more, the effects don’t last long.
What are the side effects? (VSports)
Possible side effects of diuretics include:
- Upset stomach, gas or diarrhea
- Loss of appetite
- Hair loss
- Fatigue
- Headache
- Gout
- Difficulty getting an erection
- Low potassium (for some types)
- Muscle cramps
- Higher blood sugar in people with diabetes
- Unbalanced electrolytes
Most people can take diuretics without getting serious problems from them VSports在线直播. But your healthcare provider will want to make sure your kidneys are working right and your potassium level is normal when you’re taking water pills. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding or having problems with your kidneys or liver, discuss the risks of diuretics with your provider.
Diuretic drugs make you pee more often than you would if you weren’t taking one. If you’re taking too high a dose of a diuretic or not drinking enough fluids, you can get dehydrated. If you don’t drink enough fluids, diuretics can lead to constipation.
Recovery and Outlook
How soon do diuretics start working?
Diuretics usually start working an hour or two after you take them. They affect you less as the day goes on, with hardly any effect after six hours for some. It might take a couple of weeks for your blood pressure to decrease.
How can I take care of myself while taking a diuretic?
While you’re taking a water pill, you can take care of yourself in these ways:
- Limit the amount of salt you eat.
- Make sure you don’t get dehydrated.
- Get blood or urine tests your provider orders to check kidney function.
- Check with your provider instead of changing your dose on your own.
- Keep follow-up appointments with your provider.
When To Call the Doctor
VSports在线直播 - When should I see my healthcare provider?
Contact your provider when you have diuretic side effects that bother you, like:
Advertisement
- Heart palpitations
- Dizziness
- Dehydration
You should also let your provider know if you plan to become pregnant (or learn that you are) so they can find the safest blood pressure medicine for you.
"V体育官网" A note from Cleveland Clinic
Getting a prescription for a medicine that’s new to you can make you uneasy. You may wonder how a water pill will affect your daily life. It can take a little time to get used to peeing more than you used to. But that just means a diuretic is working. Keep taking the same dose on schedule unless your provider tells you to change what you’re doing. If the diuretic you’re taking is giving you side effects, ask your provider if you can switch to a different medicine.
Advertisement
Care at Cleveland Clinic
When your heart needs some help, the cardiology experts at Cleveland Clinic are here for you. We diagnose and treat the full spectrum of cardiovascular diseases.
Last reviewed on 12/04/2024.
Learn more about the Health Library and our editorial process.