Taking a Diuretic

Your healthcare provider has prescribed a diuretic (water pill) to help your body get rid of extra water and salt and maintain fluid balance. Taking your diuretic can help you feel better, breathe better, move more easily, and have more energy.

The name of my diuretic is:

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Medicine tips

• Read the fact sheet that comes with your medicine. It tells you when and how to take it. Ask for a medicine sheet if you don’t get one.

• If you take 2 or more doses each day, take the last one before dinner if you can. That way you’ll get up fewer times during the night to go to the bathroom. However, make sure you have enough time between doses during the day. 

• If you miss a dose, take it as soon as you remember. If it's almost time for the next dose, skip the missed dose. Don't take a double dose.

• If you miss 2 or more consecutive doses, call your healthcare provider. You may be at risk for fluid buildup.

For your safety

• Follow your healthcare provider’s guidelines for potassium intake. You may need to take a potassium supplement. Or, you may need to avoid potassium supplements, salt substitutes with potassium, or large amounts of high-potassium foods (such as bananas, potatoes, broccoli, and milk). Recommendations for potassium will depend on the type of diuretic you are prescribed along with your kidney function and other factors. Your healthcare provider will likely want to check your potassium level regularly while you are taking this medicine.

• Talk to your healthcare provider about whether it's safe for you to drink alcohol while taking this medicine.

• Get up slowly when you are sitting or lying down. This helps prevent dizziness and falls due to dizziness.

• Ask your healthcare provider or pharmacist before you take any other prescription or nonprescription medicine or herbal supplements. Some of them may interact with your diuretic and keep it from working correctly.

• Limit exposure to sunlight. A diuretic may increase your sensitivity to the sun. Even brief sun exposure may cause skin rash, itching, redness, or other discoloration. It may also lead to severe sunburn. To protect your skin do the following:

  • Stay out of direct sunlight, especially between 10 a.m. and 2 p.m., whenever possible. The amount of direct sunlight exposure you have can vary depending on where you live.

  • Apply a daily sunblock of at least SPF 15 (or higher) to any exposed skin, including your lips.

  • Wear protective clothing, such as a hat and sunglasses, when you are outdoors.

  • Don't use sunlamps and tanning booths.

  • Long-sleeve shirts and pants in the summer can help protect your skin.

When to get medical advice

Call your healthcare provider right away if any of these occur:

• Diarrhea, constipation, nausea, or vomiting

• Loss of appetite or rapid or excessive weight gain

• Feel extremely tired or weak (fatigue)

• Numbness or tingling in your hands, feet, or lips, or a ringing in your ears

• Feel lightheaded when getting up after sitting or lying down

• Headaches, blurred vision, or feel a sense of confusion

• Muscle cramps or joint pain

• Muscle weakness

• Chest pains or changes in your heartbeat

• Excessive thirst or a dry mouth

• Skin rash

• Gain more than 2 pounds in 1 day or 5 pounds in 1 week. Ask your healthcare provider for their specific advice.

• Increased swelling in your legs, feet, or belly (abdomen)

• Rapid or irregular heartbeats

• Other abnormal symptoms

Note: This sheet does not include all actions, adverse reactions, precautions, side effects, and interactions for this medicine. Talk to your healthcare provider or pharmacist if you have any questions. Always follow your provider’s instructions.