Directions to Take Diuretics

Most people take diuretics in pill form.

Diuretics are a type of medication that can produce problems if not taken correctly. These drugs act on the kidneys and cause them to produce more fluid output. People with high blood pressure are frequently placed on diuretics as a way to lower blood pressure. Heart patients who retain fluid are given diuretics to remove the excess fluid and take some of the load off of the heart muscle. Most diuretics are taken in pill form, but can be administered as a shot or intravenously. These last two methods are usually given by a healthcare professional or during hospitalization.

Instructions

1. Take diuretic pills sometime during the first two thirds of the day. Within an hour or so of taking the pill, you will begin to develop the need to urinate. Most of the effect of diuretics tend to happen within a few hours although the residual effects will continue up to about 24 hours. Most extra trips to the bathroom will take place in the four or five hours after the pill is ingested. Taking a diuretic at bedtime will almost guarantee that you will have your sleep disturbed numerous times during the night.

2. Stay under the care of a doctor while taking diuretics. Because diuretics pull fluid from your body, other minerals can be extracted at the same time. Potassium is one of the main minerals that can be lost while on diuretics. Losing potassium and other similar minerals can cause the electrolytes in your body to get out of balance. This can result in a lack of energy, nausea, other physical symptoms, and has the potential to result in death.

3. Share with the prescribing physician any other medications that you are taking. Some diuretics interact with other drugs and vice versa. Your doctor needs to make sure that it is safe to take the diuretic with the other medications. Since blood pressure medications often come with a diuretic included, taking another dose of the same or a different diuretic may cause a dangerous drop in blood pressure. It can also increase the chance of having electrolyte problems.

4. Take your diuretic everyday. Failure to take the diuretic as prescribed can affect your blood pressure negatively. This failure can also allow fluids to accumulate in your body that can harm your heart if the purpose of the diuretic is to relieve some of the stress on the heart.

Tips & Warnings

• Always stay under the care of a physician while on diuretics.

References

• Bupa: Diuretics