Diuretics, which reduce the amount of water and sodium (salt) in the body have been the number one treatment for high blood pressure for many years. They are also helpful in treating heart failure and preventing stroke and other diseases. They are still the first line of therapy for many patients.
This is especially true for the elderly and for some African-American patients, who are at higher than average risk for hypertension and are more likely to be sensitive to salt.
Types of Diuretics
Thiazides often are the basic treatment of high blood pressure, sometimes in combination with other types of drugs.
Common thiazides include:
- Chlorothiazide (Diuril®)
- Chlorthalidone (Hygroton®)
- Hydrochlorothiazide (Esidrix, HydroDiuril®)
Loop diuretics block the transport of salt in the kidney and are faster acting than thiazides. They must be carefully controlled to avoid dehydration and the loss of too much potassium. Common loop diuretics are: Bumetanide (Bumex®) Furosemide (Lasix®) Ethacrynic acid (Edecrin®).
Potassium-sparing diuretics eliminate water from the body without excreting too much potassium. These drugs can cause dangerously high levels of potassium in people with damaged kidneys and must be monitored carefully.
Examples are:
- Amiloride (Midamor®)
- Spironolactone (Aldactone®)
- Triamterene (Dyrenium®)
- Eplerenone (Inspra®)
