Diuretics (tablets, solutions) are quite firmly established in our lives. They are used to correct the acid-base balance in the body. After all, they perfectly remove excess acid and alkali from it. Diuretic tablets, the list of which is quite impressive, are used in the treatment of poisoning, some injuries (especially when it comes to head injuries), to combat hypertension. But, unfortunately, not everyone knows not only the mechanism of action of these drugs, but also the side effects that they can cause. And improper use of diuretics can lead to serious complications.
At a Glance
Diuretic pills are used to treat many ailments. The list of effective drugs continues to grow today. Diuretics are also called diuretics.
Their main goal is to remove from the bodyexcess water, chemicals, s alts, which tend to accumulate in the walls of blood vessels, tissues. In addition, diuretics have a positive effect on the water-s alt balance.
If a large number of sodium ions accumulate in the body, then subcutaneous tissue begins to be deposited. It has a very negative effect on the functioning of the kidneys, heart, and hematopoietic system. As a result, the patient develops a variety of diseases and disorders.
In addition, diuretics are in great demand in sports medicine. Often they are used for weight loss. Very often, diuretics (pills) are included in complex therapy to combat a variety of ailments.
According to the effects on the body, modern diuretics are divided into two main forms. The first category of drugs affects the process of urine formation directly in the kidneys. The second form of diuretics is responsible for the hormonal regulation of urine production.
Important warning
There is a lot of information that the diuretic pills listed below can also easily solve cosmetic problems. However, many people believe that such drugs are completely safe. Some women take such drugs on their own in order to lose weight. Athletes widely use drugs before competitions, wanting to lose weight. Even bodybuilders use them, trying to create artificial dehydration so that the muscles look more prominent.
However, people who take diuretics without medical prescription are at great risk. After all, treatment with diureticscan lead to unpleasant consequences. You should know what diuretics are capable of:
- Remove potassium from the body, thereby increasing human fatigue.
- Provoke s alt deposits.
- Increase the risk of diabetes as they increase "bad" cholesterol levels.
- Increased urination, causing sleep disturbance.
- Create problems for men with potency.
Quite often, even those patients who understand the risk believe that the latest drugs Indapamide, Torasemide, Arifon do not have a detrimental effect on metabolism. Such drugs are indeed much better tolerated than older generation drugs. However, they are also harmful to he alth. But the negative impact of these funds is revealed much later. It is enough to understand the mechanism of their action. Medicines of the new and old generation are aimed at one thing - to stimulate the kidneys to work more intensively. Consequently, they excrete more s alt and water.
It is important to understand that fluid retention in the body is a symptom of a serious illness. Puffiness cannot occur on its own. It is provoked by serious malfunctions in the functioning of the kidneys, heart, and sometimes other reasons. Consequently, diuretics are drugs (their list is very extensive) of an exclusively symptomatic effect. They, unfortunately, do not relieve the cause of the disease. Thus, drugs only delay the unpleasant ending for patients. Therefore, people who want to improve their he alth andfight a real disease, should not do with diuretics alone, much less use them on their own.
Classification of drugs
Unified system, according to which all diuretics would be divided, to this day there is no, since all drugs have a different chemical structure, affect the body systems in different ways. Therefore, it is impossible to create an ideal classification.
Often, separation occurs by mechanism of action. According to this classification, they distinguish:
- Thiazide drugs. They are excellent for the treatment of hypertension, perfectly reduce blood pressure. It is recommended to use them in parallel with other medicines. Thiazides can negatively affect metabolism, therefore, such diuretics are prescribed in a small amount. Drugs (a list of only the most popular ones is given in the article) from this group are Ezidrex, Hydrochlorothiazide, Chlorthalidone, Indapamide, Hypothiazid, Arifon.
- Loop means. They remove s alt, fluid from the body due to their effect on the filtration of the kidneys. These drugs are distinguished by a rapid diuretic effect. Loop diuretics do not affect cholesterol levels, do not create prerequisites for the onset of diabetes. However, their biggest drawback is the many side effects. The most common drugs are Torasemide, Furosemide, Ethacrynic Acid, Bumetanide.
- Potassium-sparing drugs. Quite an extensive group of drugs. Such medicines increase the excretion of chloride and sodium fromorganism. At the same time, the removal of potassium is minimized by such diuretic tablets. List of the most popular drugs: Amiloride, Triamteren, Spironolactone.
- Aldosterone antagonists. These diuretics block a natural hormone that retains s alt and moisture in the body. Drugs that neutralize aldosterone promote the removal of fluid. At the same time, the content of potassium in the body does not decrease. The most popular representative is Veroshpiron.
Drugs for swelling
Strong agents can be used for good effect. Use the following diuretic tablets for swelling:
- "Torasemide";
- Furosemide;
- "Piretanide";
- Xipamide;
- "Bumetanide".
The above drugs are recommended to be taken in short courses. Be sure to take a break between doses. This eliminates the body's addiction to drugs and prevents a pronounced therapeutic effect.
Medium-strength diuretic tablets can also be used for edema:
- “Hydrochlorothiazide”;
- "Hypothiazide";
- Chlorthalidone;
- Clopamide;
- Polythiazide;
- Indapamide;
- Metosalon.
Such drugs are used for a long time and continuously. The recommended dose is determined by the attending physician. As a rule, it is about 25 mg per day.
For mild swelling, potassium-sparing diuretics such asSpironolactone, Amiloride, Triamteren. They are taken in courses (2-3 weeks) at intervals of 10-14 days.
Drugs for hypertension
Diuretics used for high blood pressure fall into two categories:
- Means that have a quick effect. Such drugs are used in a hypertensive crisis, when there is a need to quickly reduce pressure.
- Means for daily use. Medicines allow you to maintain an optimal level of pressure.
Stop the hypertensive crisis allow potent drugs. The most popular is the drug "Furosemide". Its price is low. The following means are no less effective in a crisis:
- "Torasemide";
- "Bumetanide";
- "Ethacrynic acid";
- "Piretanide";
- Xipamide.
The duration of taking the above medicines can be 1-3 days. After stopping the crisis, they switch from such potent drugs to drugs that can maintain the pressure at the required level daily.
The second category includes means of medium impact. The drugs most in demand:
- Indapamide;
- “Hydrochlorothiazide”;
- "Hypothiazide";
- Clopamide;
- Metosalon;
- Polythiazide;
- Chlorthalidone.
These medicines are taken daily as prescribed by a doctor. They perfectly maintain the optimal level of pressure.
Drugs for heart failurefailure
As a result of this pathology, fluid retention in the body often occurs. This phenomenon creates stagnation of blood in the lungs. The patient has many unpleasant symptoms, such as shortness of breath, swelling, liver enlargement, wheezing in the heart.
For people with heart failure, the doctor must introduce a diuretic into therapy. It perfectly prevents the most severe consequences in the form of pulmonary edema, cardiogenic shock. At the same time, diuretics increase the tolerance of patients to physical activity.
For patients with the first and second degree of the disease, a good diuretic is a thiazide drug. With a more serious pathology, the patient is transferred to a strong remedy - a loop diuretic. In some cases, the drug "Spironolactone" is additionally prescribed. Taking such a remedy is especially relevant if the patient has developed hypokalemia.
When the effect of Furosemide is weakened, cardiologists recommend replacing it with Torasemide. It has been observed that the latter remedy has a more beneficial effect on the body in severe forms of heart failure.
Furosemide
The drug is a fast-acting diuretic. Its effect occurs after taking within 20 minutes. The duration of the effect of the drug is about 4-5 hours.
Effectively, this remedy is not only for stopping a hypertensive crisis. According to the instructions, the medicine helps with heart failure, swelling of the brain and lungs, chemical poisoning. It is often prescribed forlate toxicosis during pregnancy.
However, the remedy also has strict contraindications. The drug is not used in the first trimester of pregnancy. Do not use it in patients with renal insufficiency, people who have hypoglycemia, urinary tract obstruction.
The cost of the drug "Furosemide" is low. The price is approximately 19 rubles.
Drug "Torasemide"
The medicine is a fast acting remedy. The drug "Furosemide" undergoes biotransformation in the kidneys, so it is not suitable for all patients. A more effective medicine for people suffering from kidney ailments is the drug "Torasemide", since it undergoes biotransformation in the liver. But with pathologies of this organ, the medicine can cause serious harm.
Already after 15 minutes, the effect on the body begins (according to the instructions for use attached to the Torasemide preparation). The price of the product varies from 205 to 655 rubles.
Long-term studies have confirmed the high effectiveness of the drug in heart failure. In addition, the drug perfectly removes s alts and liquid. At the same time, the loss of potassium by the body is insignificant, since an effective agent blocks the hormone aldosterone.
Drug "Indapamide"
The medicine is very effective in hypertension (severe and moderate). The tool perfectly reduces pressure and maintains its optimal level throughout the day. In addition, it prevents the increase in this indicator in the morning.
You need to take the medicine once a day, 1 tablet, as indicated by the instruction enclosed in the drug "Indapamide". The price of funds on average varies from 22 to 110 rubles.
Before taking, you should familiarize yourself with the contraindications, since an excellent remedy is not suitable for all patients suffering from hypertension. The drug is not intended for people who have abnormalities in the functioning of the kidneys, liver. It is forbidden to take medicine for pregnant, lactating mothers. In case of failure of cerebral circulation, anuria, hypokalemia, the remedy is contraindicated.
Drug "Triamteren"
The medicine is a mild diuretic. It is recommended to use it in combination with another diuretic - Hydrochlorothiazide. Thanks to this combination, it is possible to reduce the loss of potassium in the body. Favorable effect gives the drug "Triamteren". The instruction positions it as a potassium-sparing agent.
The medicine should be used strictly according to the prescribed dosage. People with impaired kidney function may experience the unpleasant side effect of elevated potassium levels. Sometimes the remedy can lead to dehydration. When interacting with folic acid, the drug helps to increase red blood cells.
The cost of the funds is 316 rubles.
Spironolactone drug
The medicine is a potassium- and magnesium-sparing agent. At the same time, it effectively removes sodium and chlorine from the body. After the start of the drug, the diuretic effectoccurs approximately 2-5 days.
The drug can be prescribed for hypertension, chronic heart failure, liver cirrhosis, nephrotic syndrome. The use of Spironolactone is effective for puffiness in the 2nd and 3rd trimesters of pregnancy.
The drug is not intended for people diagnosed with diabetes mellitus, kidney or liver failure, anuria. It is forbidden to use the drug in the first trimester of pregnancy. With hyponatremia, hyperkalemia, hypercalcemia, the drug is contraindicated. It should not be used in people with Addison's disease.
There may also be side effects when using the medicine. In some cases, the remedy provokes the occurrence of hives, itching, drowsiness, headache, diarrhea or constipation.
The cost of funds is about 54 rubles.
Diuretic Reviews
Many patients are interested in the opinion of those people who are already taking diuretic pills. Reviews, as a rule, contain information about effectiveness, side effects.
People who have experienced a hypertensive crisis confirm that the drug "Furosemide" is very quickly and effectively able to help. However, at the same time, they emphasize that it is worth using the remedy only as directed by a doctor and in recommended doses.
Confirm the effectiveness of the drug and pregnant women who use the drug in the last months of pregnancy. Patients claim that it perfectly relieved puffiness.
However, it is strictly forbidden to abuse the drug. After all, the medicineFurosemide is quite easily addictive. In addition, the drug removes potassium from the body. Patients may experience seizures after prolonged use.
The drug "Indapamide" is in high demand. Hypertensive patients are often prescribed such a remedy. There is an opinion among patients that the medicine is well tolerated by the body. In this case, the diuretic effect is favorable. There are no negative opinions about the drug.
The medicine "Torasemide" has a good effect on the body. Patients who take the drug strictly according to the doctor's prescription and under his control say that the remedy is very effective. It perfectly relieves puffiness. At the same time, patients do not observe problems in the form of side effects.
Favorable results bring the body and other diuretic pills. Reviews of the drug "Spironolactone" indicate a strong diuretic effect. However, patients claim that the drug should be used only as prescribed by a doctor and in appropriate doses.
Doctor's recommendation
Before taking a diuretic, be sure to tell your doctor about all the medications you are taking. In addition, an important factor in the selection of the necessary medicine is the presence of chronic ailments. You should not arbitrarily take such funds. It is necessary to strictly follow the prescription of the doctor. Take the drug at the appointed time (this will avoid unpleasant awakenings at night) and only in the dosage that was prescribed to you. Such simple truths will allow you not to feel heavyconsequences of taking diuretics.
