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Request Appointment. Products and services. Diuretics Diuretics, also called water pills, are a common treatment for high blood pressure. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Thank you for subscribing!

Sorry something went wrong with your subscription Please, try again in a couple of minutes Retry. Show references Types of blood pressure medications. American Heart Association. Accessed March 14, Mann JFE.

Choice of drug therapy in primary essential hypertension. Carey RM, et al. Guideline-driven management of hypertension: An evidence-based update. Circulation Research. Brater DC, et al. Mechanism of action of diuretics. Drug record: Diuretics. National Institutes of Health.

Accessed March 15, Reboussin DM, et al. Yu ASL, et al, eds. Elsevier; Whelton PK, et al. Puga AM, et al. Effects of drugs and excipients on hydration status. Huang L expert opinion. Mayo Clinic. April 7, Products and Services Blood Pressure Monitors at Mayo Clinic Store A Book: Mayo Clinic on High Blood Pressure The Mayo Clinic Diet Online.

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Furosemide may give eczema, purpura, a bullous eruption, or Steven-Johnson's syndrome in rare cases. Methyldopa can induce eczematous eruptions on hands and feet, a lichenoid eruption, a lupus erythematosus-like eruption, or purpura. Hydralazine may give lupus erythematosus-like eruptions, eczema, or urticaria.

Share sensitive information only on official, secure websites. Furosemide is a strong diuretic 'water pill' and may cause dehydration and electrolyte imbalance.

It is important that you take it exactly as told by your doctor. If you experience any of the following symptoms, call your doctor immediately: decreased urination; dry mouth; thirst; nausea; vomiting; weakness; drowsiness; confusion; muscle pain or cramps; or rapid or pounding heartbeats.

Furosemide is used alone or in combination with other medications to treat high blood pressure. Furosemide is used to treat edema fluid retention; excess fluid held in body tissues caused by various medical problems, including heart, kidney, and liver disease.

Furosemide is in a class of medications called diuretics 'water pills'. It works by causing the kidneys to get rid of unneeded water and salt from the body into the urine. High blood pressure is a common condition and when not treated, can cause damage to the brain, heart, blood vessels, kidneys and other parts of the body.

Damage to these organs may cause heart disease, a heart attack, heart failure, stroke, kidney failure, loss of vision, and other problems. In addition to taking medication, making lifestyle changes will also help to control your blood pressure.

These changes include eating a diet that is low in fat and salt, maintaining a healthy weight, exercising at least 30 minutes most days, not smoking, and using alcohol in moderation.

Furosemide comes as a tablet and as a solution liquid to take by mouth. It usually is taken once or twice a day. When used to treat edema, furosemide may be taken daily or only on certain days of the week.

When used to treat hypertension, take furosemide around the same time s every day. Follow the directions on your prescription label carefully, and ask your doctor or pharmacist to explain any part you do not understand. Take furosemide exactly as directed. Do not take more or less of it or take it more often than prescribed by your doctor.

Furosemide controls high blood pressure and edema but does not cure these conditions. Continue to take furosemide even if you feel well.

Do not stop taking furosemide without talking to your doctor. This medicine is sometimes prescribed for other uses; ask your doctor or pharmacist for more information.

If your doctor prescribes a low-salt or low-sodium diet, or to eat or drink increased amounts of potassium-rich foods e. Take the missed dose as soon as you remember it. However, if it is almost time for your next dose, skip the missed dose and continue your regular dosing schedule.

Do not take a double dose to make up for a missed one. Keep this medicine in the container it came in, tightly closed, and out of reach of children.

Keep all appointments with your doctor and the laboratory. Your blood pressure should be checked regularly, and blood tests should be done occasionally. Before having any laboratory test, tell your doctor and the laboratory personnel that you are taking hydrochlorothiazide.

Do not let anyone else take your medicine. Ask your pharmacist any questions you have about refilling your prescription. It is important for you to keep a written list of all of the prescription and nonprescription over-the-counter medicines you are taking, as well as any products such as vitamins, minerals, or other dietary supplements.

You should bring this list with you each time you visit a doctor or if you are admitted to a hospital. It is also important information to carry with you in case of emergencies. Generic alternatives may be available.

Hydrochlorothiazide pronounced as hye'' droe klor'' oh thye' a zide. Why is this medication prescribed? How should this medicine be used? Other uses for this medicine What special precautions should I follow?

What special dietary instructions should I follow? What should I do if I forget a dose? What side effects can this medication cause? What should I know about storage and disposal of this medication? Brand names Brand names of combination products. Other uses for this medicine.

What special precautions should I follow? Before taking hydrochlorothiazide, tell your doctor and pharmacist if you are allergic to hydrochlorothiazide, 'sulfa drugs', penicillin, or any other drugs.

tell your doctor and pharmacist what other prescription and nonprescription medications, vitamins, nutritional supplements, and herbal products you are taking or plan to take.

Be sure to mention any of the following: barbiturates such as phenobarbital and secobarbital Seconal ; corticosteroids such as betamethasone Celestone , budesonide Entocort , cortisone Cortone , dexamethasone Decadron, Dexpak, Dexasone, others , fludrocortisone Florinef , hydrocortisone Cortef, Hydrocortone , methylprednisolone Medrol, Meprolone, others , prednisolone Prelone, others , prednisone Deltasone, Meticorten, Sterapred, others , and triamcinolone Aristocort, Azmacort ; corticotropin ACTH, H.

Your doctor may need to change the doses of your medications or monitor you carefully for side effects. if you are taking cholestyramine or colestipol, take them 1 hour before or 4 hours after taking hydrochlorothiazide.

tell your doctor if you have kidney disease. Your doctor may tell you not to take hydrochlorothiazide. tell your doctor if you have or have ever had diabetes, asthma, gout, systemic lupus erythematosus SLE, a chronic inflammatory condition , high cholesterol, or kidney or liver disease.

tell your doctor if you are pregnant, plan to become pregnant, or are breastfeeding. If you become pregnant while taking hydrochlorothiazide, call your doctor immediately. plan to avoid unnecessary or prolonged exposure to sunlight and to wear protective clothing, sunglasses, and sunscreen.

Hydrochlorothiazide may make your skin sensitive to sunlight and increase your risk of a certain types of skin cancer. Your doctor will check your skin for skin cancers during your treatment with hydrochlorothiazide. Call your doctor if you notice any new skin changes or growths.

you should know that hydrochlorothiazide may cause dizziness, lightheadedness, and fainting when you get up too quickly from a lying position. This is more common when you first start taking hydrochlorothiazide. To avoid this problem, get out of bed slowly, resting your feet on the floor for a few minutes before standing up.

Alcohol can add to these side effects. org Unneeded medications should be disposed of in special ways to ensure that pets, children, and other people cannot consume them. What other information should I know? Brand names. The three types of diuretic medications are called thiazide, loop, and potassium-sparing diuretics.

All of them make your body excrete more fluids as urine. Thiazides are the most commonly prescribed diuretics. These drugs not only decrease fluids, they also cause your blood vessels to relax.

Thiazides are sometimes taken with other medications used to lower blood pressure. Examples of thiazides include:. Potassium-sparing diuretics reduce fluid levels in your body without causing you to lose potassium , an important nutrient.

The other types of diuretics cause you to lose potassium, which can lead to health problems such as arrhythmia. Potassium-sparing diuretics may be prescribed for people at risk of low potassium levels, such as those who take other medications that deplete potassium.

Therefore, your doctor may prescribe a potassium-sparing diuretic with another medication that also lowers blood pressure. When taken as prescribed, diuretics are generally well tolerated. However, they can still cause some side effects. If you have side effects that bother you while taking diuretics, talk to your doctor.

They may prescribe a different medication or combination of medications to help reduce your side effects. Diuretics are generally safe, but there are some risks if you have other medical conditions or take certain medications.

Before you take a prescribed diuretic, be sure to tell your doctor if you have any of the following conditions or issues:. Some medications that might interact with a diuretic include:. If you have questions about diuretics and other treatment options, talk to your doctor.

Prescription diuretics can be helpful in treating serious conditions, such as heart failure, to less-pressing conditions, such as mild high blood pressure.

If your doctor prescribes a diuretic, feel free to ask them any questions you may have. Consider discussing these questions:. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available.

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