Diuretics

Synonyms in a broader sense

water tablets, dehydration drugs, furosemide, thiazides

Definition

Diuretics are a group of drugs that lead to increased urinary excretion (diuresis). They are often referred to as “water tablets” kidneys, because they increase the excretion of fluids over the They are used in the treatment of high blood pressure, to flush fluid out of the body in the case of e.g. thick legs (leg edema) and in cases of reduced heart function (heart failure).

When are diuretics prescribed?

For the treatment of high blood pressure (arterial hypertension), they are always given in combination with other medications and in a low dosage, since the administration of diuretics alone only causes a moderate reduction in blood pressure. Fluid accumulations in the body, also known as edema, can occur during pregnancy, when the heart loses its pumping function (heart muscle weakness/heart failure) and in kidney disease. An important kidney disease in which water retention occurs is the nephrotic syndrome: Patients excrete more proteins with their urine, there are fewer proteins in the blood and there is edema, mostly in the legs. However, water in the feet is often also present.

Under what conditions should diuretics not be taken?

Diuretics should not be taken if the patient has little fluid in the body. Diuretics should also not be used if blood salt levels are elevated or lowered, or should be used under good patient observation. If patients are prone to blood coagulation disorders with the formation of blood clots in the vessels, a so-called thrombosis, diuretics should not be taken, as the blood thickens due to the excretion of water and thrombosis can occur more easily. Diuretics are not given in cases of severe kidney and liver damage.

Mode of action of diuretics

The individual substance classes have different sites of action in the kidney, but they all have in common that their action results in increased excretion of sodium with the urine. Sodium is a blood salt that is filtered out of the blood by the kidneys and can leave the body with the urine. Due to the influence of medication, the sodium in the body decreases. In the process, the body also loses the stored water: patients have to go to the toilet more often, because the body excretes more water together with the sodium. Because of the possible side effects of this group of drugs, it is important to regularly check blood salts, blood sugar, blood lipids and cholesterol, and kidney values when a patient is treated with diuretics.