Water pills, also called diuretics help the body get rid of salt and water from the blood and are used to treat chronic medical conditions such as high blood pressure, glaucoma and edema. The side effects of water pills depend on the type being used and the presence of other medical conditions such as kidney or heart disease. Although most of the side effects of water pills are mild and temporary, some may require medical evaluation to prevent complications.
Increased Urination
According to the Mayo Clinic, water pills may increase the frequency of urination due to the increased amount of salt in the urine.
Muscle Cramps
Water pills such as thiazide diuretic that reduce the amount of potassium in the blood may result in muscle cramps, especially in the calf of the leg.
Blood Sugar
Increased blood sugar may be a result of water pills as the amount of sugar in the blood gets concentrated from the loss of water.
Dizziness
If taken by people with normal blood pressure levels, water pills may cause blood pressure to drop and result in dizziness or fainting.
Stomach Pain
Water pills may cause digestive side effects such as gas, stomach pains, nausea or vomiting.
Rash
People taking water pills may experience an allergic reaction to one of the active ingredients such as sulfonylureas, which may result in a skin rash.
Warning
Side effects including jaundice, dark urine, light stools, fever, muscle weakness or inability to urinate may indicate a serious medical condition and require urgent medical treatment.
Writer Bio
Jessica Lietz has been writing about health-related topics since 2009. She has several years of experience in genetics research, survey design, analysis and epidemiology, working on both infectious and chronic diseases. Lietz holds a Master of Public Health in epidemiology from The Ohio State University.