Diuretics, or water pills, help your kidneys put extra salt and water into your urine or pee. This is how diuretics clear extra fluid out and bring down your blood pressure. Diuretics also help when you have too much fluid collecting because of heart failure or other medical problems.
Diuretics ― also known as water pills ― are medicines that help you move extra fluid and salt out of your body. They make you pee more frequently, which is why you should take them in the morning if you can. You may need to take diuretics once or twice a day at the same time each day.
Thiazide diuretics, such as hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide® or Oretic®) or chlorthalidone (Hygroton® or Thalitone®).
What they do: They make your kidneys pull salt and extra water into your pee.
Selected side effects:
Loop diuretics, such as furosemide or bumetanide.
What they do: They affect part of your kidneys (the loop of Henle) to get salt and excess water out of your body.
Selected side effects:
Potassium-sparing diuretics, such as triamterene or amiloride.
What they do: They help your kidneys clear salt and water out of your body, but don’t let you lose too much potassium in the process.
Selected side effects:
A mixture of two types in one pill, like triamterene and hydrochlorothiazide (Dyazide® or Maxzide®)
What they do: They make your kidneys move salt and extra water out while keeping you from losing too much potassium.
Selected side effects:
People usually take diuretics by swallowing diuretic pills, but your provider can give some diuretics through an IV in your arm during a hospital stay. Most people can take diuretics without getting serious problems from them.
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Diuretics make your kidneys take away your body’s extra salt and water by putting them into your urine (pee).
People who have high blood pressure or have too much fluid collecting in their bodies need diuretics.
Diuretics bring down blood pressure because they help your blood vessels get wider. Also, there’s a smaller amount of fluid in your blood to pump. Diuretics also help your body clear out extra fluids.
Diuretic medications can help with:
Diuretics are very common. A list of America’s most frequently prescribed drugs includes two diuretic drugs in the top 15.
Diuretics give many people ― even older adults ― good results, especially for treating high blood pressure. Also, people generally don’t have bad side effects with diuretics.
Usual side effects of diuretics include:
Your provider will want to make sure your kidneys are working right and your potassium level is normal when you’re taking diuretic pills. If you’re pregnant, breastfeeding, an older adult or have problems with your kidneys or liver, discuss the risks of diuretics with your provider.
Diuretics usually start working an hour or two after you take them.
Contact your provider when you:
Diuretics help your body dispose of extra fluid and salt. They also treat a variety of medical problems, such as heart failure and high blood pressure.
Yes, if you’re taking too high a dose of a diuretic or not drinking enough fluids, you can get dehydrated.
Yes, diuretics make you pee more frequently than you would if you weren’t taking a diuretic.
Yes, diuretics can cause constipation if you don’t drink enough fluids.
A note from Cleveland Clinic
Diuretics can help you manage your high blood pressure and other conditions, but you need to take them the right way. 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 diuretic.
Last reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional on 10/01/2021.
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Cleveland Clinic is a non-profit academic medical center. Advertising on our site helps support our mission. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. Policy