If you are taking a single dose a How do they work? day, take it in the morning with Diuretics reduce the amount of your morning meal. If you are fluid in your body. They can help taking two doses each day, take prevent or decrease swelling, the second dose in the late shortness of breath and bloating afternoon so you can sleep associated with heart failure. The through the night. kidneys get rid of this extra fluid The number of you take each by producing more urine. day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you need to What are they used for? take the medicine will depend on They are used for several different the type of medicine prescribed, reasons such as: as well as your condition. High blood pressure Weigh yourself daily to see if you Heart failure (reduce swelling are gaining or losing fluid. and fluid build up caused by heart failure) Do NOT stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor/NP first. Some side effects that people have had while taking these Be sure to fill your prescription as medicines include: soon as possible after discharge Frequent urination (this may from the hospital. last up to 6 hours after a dose.) Tiredness or weakness (this What are some commonly used should decrease as your body Diuretics? adjusts to the medicine.) Generic Name Brand Muscle cramps Name Dizziness (try getting up slower Furosemide Lasix from a lying or sitting position.) Hydrochlorothiazide Hydrodiuril Dehydration Spironolactone Aldactone Skin rash (indicating an allergy) Metolazone Zaroxolyn Sun sensitivity (apply sunscreen) Please note that this information sheet does not contain complete information about Diuretics. If you need more information Call your doctor/nurse about this medicine, be sure to ask your practitioner (NP) if these doctor/NP or pharmacist. symptoms persist.
How do they work? Diuretics reduce the amount of fluid in your body. They can help prevent or decrease swelling, shortness of breath and bloating associated with heart failure. The kidneys get rid of this extra fluid by producing more urine. What are they used for? They are used for several different reasons such as: High blood pressure Heart failure (reduce swelling and fluid build up caused by heart failure) Some side effects that people have had while taking these medicines include: Frequent urination (this may last up to 6 hours after a dose.) Tiredness or weakness (this should decrease as your body adjusts to the medicine.) Muscle cramps Dizziness (try getting up slower from a lying or sitting position.) Dehydration Skin rash (indicating an allergy) Sun sensitivity (apply sunscreen) Call your doctor/nurse practitioner (NP) if these symptoms persist. If you are taking a single dose a day, take it in the morning with your morning meal. If you are taking two doses each day, take the second dose in the late afternoon so you can sleep through the night. The number of you take each day, the time allowed between doses, and how long you need to take the medicine will depend on the type of medicine prescribed, as well as your condition. Weigh yourself daily to see if you are gaining or losing fluid. Do NOT stop taking this medicine without checking with your doctor/NP first. Be sure to fill your prescription as soon as possible after discharge from the hospital. What are some commonly used Diuretics? Generic Name Brand Name Furosemide Lasix Hydrochlorothiazide Hydrodiuril Spironolactone Aldactone Metolazone Zaroxolyn Please note that this information sheet does not contain complete information about Diuretics. If you need more information about this medicine, be sure to ask your doctor/NP or pharmacist.