Discharge Instructions: Taking Diuretics

Your health care provider prescribed a type of medicine called a diuretic for you. Diuretics help reduce the amount of water in the body. They make you pee more often, flushing water and salts from your body. Diuretics are a treatment for high blood pressure (hypertension) and conditions such as heart failure, liver failure, and swelling (edema).

The name of your diuretic is:____________________________________

Home care

• Follow the fact sheet that came with your medicine. It tells you when and how to take your medicine. Ask for a sheet if you didn’t get one.

• Tell your provider if you are taking any other medicines, including herbal remedies, supplements, or over-the-counter medicines.

• Plan your activities in advance until you know how this medicine affects you.

• Take your diuretic in the morning. This medicine makes you pee more. If you take it in the morning, you may not need to use the bathroom during the night. That way, the medicine won’t interfere with a good night’s sleep.

• Take your medicine exactly as directed, even if you feel fine.

• Learn to take your own pulse and blood pressure. Keep a record of your results. Ask your provider which readings mean that you need medical attention.

Possible side effects

Tell your provider if you have any of these side effects. Don’t stop taking the medicine until your provider tells you to. Mild side effects include the following:

• Dizziness or lightheadedness.

• Headache.

• Loss of appetite.

• Diarrhea.

• Increased sensitivity to light.

• Nervousness.

• Stomach cramps with mild pain.

• New rash.

When to contact your doctor

Call your provider right away if:

• There's blood in your urine or stool or you have black, tarry stool.

• You have a cough or hoarseness.

• You have a fever or chills.

• You have lower back or side pain, or muscle cramps or pain.

• You have trouble peeing, pain when you pee, or dark urine.

• You see pinpoint red spots on skin.

• You have ringing or buzzing in your ears or any hearing loss.

• You have a skin rash or hives.

• You have severe stomach pain with nausea and vomiting.

• You have unusual bleeding or bruising.

• You have yellow vision or yellowing of your eyes or skin (jaundice).

• You have increased thirst.

• You have an irregular heartbeat or weak pulse.

• You have palpitations.