Treatment FAQ

why would diuretics be prescribed as a line of treatment for hypertension?

by Lelia Tillman Published 3 years ago Updated 2 years ago

Diuretics — Diuretics lower blood pressure mainly by causing the kidneys to excrete more sodium and water, which reduces fluid volume throughout the body and widens (dilates) blood vessels. The diuretics used to treat high blood pressure are thiazides (chlorthalidone, hydrochlorothiazide, and indapamide).

Diuretics, sometimes called water pills, help rid your body of salt (sodium) and water. Most of these medicines help your kidneys release more sodium into your urine. The sodium helps remove water from your blood, decreasing the amount of fluid flowing through your veins and arteries. This reduces blood pressure.

Full Answer

What is the best diuretic for hypertension?

  • Microzide (hydrochlorothiazide)
  • Lasix (furosemide)
  • Aldactone (spironolactone)
  • Midamor (amiloride)

What is the best medication for hypertension?

You may be given one or more of these medications:

  • Diuretics, also called water pills. A diuretic removes excess water and sodium from your body, so there's less fluid flowing through your veins and arteries. ...
  • Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) inhibitors. ...
  • Angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARBs). ...
  • Calcium channel blockers. ...
  • Beta blockers. ...
  • Renin inhibitors. ...

How much weight can you lose with diuretics?

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  • Parsley.
  • Hibiscus.
  • Caraway.
  • Green and Black Tea.
  • Nigella Sativa.

What diuretics are best?

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When is diuretic used for hypertension?

Diuretics are useful antihypertensive agents, and there is compelling evidence for their efficacy in patients with heart failure, elderly patients, patients with isolated systolic hypertension, and black patients. Low dose thiazide diuretics are the most cost effective agents in mild to moderate hypertension.

Which diuretics are preferred for the treatment of hypertension?

Thiazide diuretics are the most commonly prescribed diuretics for hypertension, but other classes of diuretics may be useful in alternative circumstances. Although diuretics are no longer considered the preferred agent for treatment of hypertension in adults and children, they remain acceptable first-line options.

Why are diuretics preferred?

For hypertensive patients with diabetes, the American Diabetes Association gives preference to thiazide-like diuretics (chlorthalidone and indapamide) because they are longer acting diuretics that have a proven effect on cardiovascular event reduction.

What is first line treatment for hypertension?

There are three main classes of medication that are usually in the first line of treatment for hypertension: 1. Calcium Channel Blockers (CCB) 2. Angiotensin Converting Enzyme inhibitors (ACE inhibitors or ACE-I) and Angiotensin Receptor Blockers (ARBs) 3. Diuretics.

Why is thiazide first line for hypertension?

Thiazide diuretics are also less costly than other antihypertensive drugs. Therefore, thiazide diuretics are the most cost-effective first-line therapeutic option for the majority of patients.

When are diuretics used?

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.

Is hydrochlorothiazide a first line treatment for hypertension?

We concluded in 2004 that the first-choice treatment for hypertension in adults was single-agent therapy with the thiazide diuretic chlortalidone or, when this drug is not available, the thiazide diuretic hydrochlorothiazide.

What are some examples of diuretics?

Examples of diuretics. There are three types of diuretics: Thiazide. Loop. Potassium sparing. Each type affects a different part of your kidneys. Some pills combine more than one type of diuretic or combine a diuretic with another blood pressure medication.

What is the name of the pill that helps you get rid of salt?

Find out how they work and when you might need them. By Mayo Clinic Staff. Diuretics , sometimes called water pills, help rid your body of salt (sodium) and water. Most of them help your kidneys release more sodium into your urine.

Can thiazide be used for high blood pressure?

When diuretics are used. Thiazide diuretics are recommended as one of the first drug treatments for high blood pressure. If diuretics aren't enough to lower your blood pressure, your doctor might add other blood pressure medications to your treatment plan.

Can thiazide cause low potassium levels?

If you take a thiazide diuretic, your potassium level can drop too low (hypokalemia), which can cause life-threatening problems with your heartbeat. If you're on a potassium-sparing diuretic, you can have too much potassium in your blood. Other possible side effects of diuretics include: Dizziness. Headaches.

What are some examples of potassium diuretics?

Examples of potassium-sparing diuretics include triamterene (Dyrenium), eplerenone (Inspra), and spironolactone (Aldactone).

What foods can help with hypertension?

dark leafy greens, such as kale and spinach. squash. mushrooms. potatoes. yogurt. fish. Potassium-sparing diuretics don’t pose as much as a threat to your potassium levels. However, they aren’t as effective in treating hypertension as the other types of diuretic medications, so they are often prescribed along with other drugs.

What are some examples of thiazides?

Examples of thiazides include metolazone (Zaroxolyn), indapamide (Lozol), and hydrochlorothiazide (Microzide).

Does thiazide lower blood pressure?

The reduction in blood volume slows the rate at which blood flows through your blood vessels , helping to decrease your blood pressure. Thiazide and loop diuretics may also cause you to lose potassium in addition to water and sodium.

Can diuretics help with high blood pressure?

High blood pressure can be a contributing factor in the development of various forms of heart disease. When chosen as a treatment for hypertension, diuretics have proven to be effective in preventing heart attack and stroke in many individuals.

Is it safe to take diuretics?

Risks and Side Effects. Diuretics are generally safe for most people when taken as prescribed. The most common side effect of diuretics is increased urination. Your potassium, glucose, and cholesterol levels may fluctuate depending on the type of diuretic you’re taking.

Can taking a natural diuretic cause dehydration?

Taking a natural diuretic, even unintentionally through your normal diet, along with a pharmaceutical medication could lead to dehydration and other potentially harmful drug interactions. Speak with your doctor to learn more about which natural diuretics are appropriate to use for treating your condition.

How do diuretics help with blood pressure?

Diuretics help rid your body of sodium and water. Most work by making your kidneys release more sodium into the urine. The sodium then takes water with it from your blood decreasing the amount of fluid flowing through your blood vessels hence lowering blood pressure.

Why are diuretics prescribed?

Diuretics are used effectively in the management of hypertension, and are typically prescribed because of their efficacy, low cost, and low side effects profile. Diuretics are known for their ability to increase the formation and excretion of urine.

What diuretics inhibit the reabsorption of sodium and chloride?

Loop diuretics, like thiazide diuretics, work to inhibit the reabsorption of sodium as well as chloride by targeting a sodium potassium chloride cotransporter, however they exert their effects in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.

What is the drug of choice for long term treatment of hypertension?

Thiazide diuretics are considered the drug of choice for long term treatment of hypertension by many physicians. Loop diuretics , like thiazide diuretics , work to inhibit the reabsorption of sodium as well as chloride by targeting a sodium potassium chloride cotransporter, however they exert their effects in the ascending limb of the loop of Henle.

What is the function of thiazide diuretics?

Thiazide diuretics are known to bind extensively to plasma proteins, which limits their filtration and promotes appropriate delivery to tissues. However, they undergo extensive hepatic metabolism which plays into the dose and frequency of administration.

How long does a loop diuretic last?

On the other hand, loop diuretics are known to be less effective than thiazides, and have a short duration of action at approximately 6 hours. Loop diuretics are indicated for patients with coexistent renal or heart failure, in circumstances when thiazide diuretics are rarely effective.

Does sodium stay in the nephron?

With this inhibition, more sodium stays within the nephron creating an osmotic force that allows for water retention in the nephron, and ultimately water excretion. Thiazide diuretics are considered the drug of choice for long term treatment of hypertension by many physicians.

Applicability of the data

The 2017 hypertension guideline by the American College of Cardiology (ACC)/American Heart Association (AHA) gives little guidance on the preferred first-line agent for those without underlying comorbidities, which may direct selection of specific agents.

Home BP monitoring, lifestyle modifications

Pharmacists in both the community and clinic setting should ask patients about their home BP readings and if they are at goal. Encourage patients to obtain a home BP monitor if they don’t have one so they can record their readings to take back to their primary care provider.

What is the best medicine for high blood pressure?

Diuretics (Water Pills) for High Blood Pressure. Medically Reviewed by James Beckerman, MD, FACC on May 07, 2021. Commonly known as " water pills ," these drugs help your kidneys get rid of extra water and salt from your body through your pee. Because you have less total fluid in your blood vessels, like a garden hose that's not turned on all ...

Why is my blood pressure lower?

Because you have less total fluid in your blood vessels, like a garden hose that's not turned on all the way, the pressure inside will be lower. This also makes it easier for your heart to pump. They're usually the first type of medication that your doctor will try to control your blood pressure.

How long after taking a syringe can you pee?

Side Effects. The water that comes out of your body has to go somewhere, so you can expect to be peeing more and more often for several hours after a dose. You also run the risk of getting dehydrated, and simply drinking more fluids may not be enough. Call your doctor if you're very thirsty or have a very dry mouth, your pee is a deep yellow, ...

Can you take diuretic in the morning?

If you only need one dose a day, you might want to take your diuretic in the morning so you can sleep through the night instead of getting up to go to the bathroom. Avoid alcohol and medicines to help you sleep. They may make side effects worse.

Can potassium diuretics cause bone loss?

We don't know how these drugs affect an unborn baby. And many pass into breast milk, which can make the baby dehydrated. Kids can safely take them, but they need smaller doses. The side effects are similar to adults. But potassium-sparing diuretics can cause low levels of calcium, which could hurt bone development.

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