What do potassium sparing diuretics do

Prescription diuretics can be helpful in treating serious conditions, such as heart failure, to less-pressing conditions, such as mild high blood pressure. If your doctor prescribes a diuretic, feel free to ask them any questions you may have. Consider discussing these questions:. There are many options for people who have trouble with traditional diuretics or would prefer a natural alternative.

Foods such as berries, beverages…. Excess water weight can have negative effects on your appearance and quality of life. Here are 13 easy ways to lose water weight quickly. Diuretics are substances that increase the amount of urine you produce and help get rid of excess water. Here's a list of the 8 best natural diuretics. Water retention involves increased amounts of fluids building up inside the body.

Here are 6 simple ways to reduce water retention. How often you pee can provide clues to your overall health. Find out what's normal and what conditions could affect your urine output.

Many medications can be used to treat high blood pressure. Learn about diuretics, beta-blockers, ACE inhibitors, calcium channel blockers, and others…. If left untreated, high blood pressure may lead to heart failure. The higher the dose, the greater the risk of side-effects developing. The leaflet which comes in the tablet package provides a full list of possible side-effects.

The more common or serious possible side-effects are listed below:. Usually there are no side-effects but they can occur in some people. Possible side-effects include:. There are very few people who are not able to take these medicines.

They should not be taken by anyone who has high levels of potassium in their blood, severe kidney problems, or Addison's disease. In addition, potassium supplements should not be taken with these medicines. Some salt substitutes that you can buy are high in potassium. These should be avoided if you take a potassium-sparing diuretic.

Taking a potassium-sparing diuretic at the same time as an angiotensin-converting enzyme ACE inhibitor or an angiotensin receptor antagonist medicine eg, valsartan , losartan can also cause very high blood potassium levels. If you think you have had a side-effect to one of your medicines you can report this on the Yellow Card Scheme.

You can do this online at www. The Yellow Card Scheme is used to make pharmacists, doctors and nurses aware of any new side-effects that medicines or any other healthcare products may have caused. If you wish to report a side-effect, you will need to provide basic information about:. I woke up early hours of the morning with chest pain which is triggered by my anxiety.

My heart rate was 53bpm. I am a 28 year old male. I have Disclaimer: This article is for information only and should not be used for the diagnosis or treatment of medical conditions. Egton Medical Information Systems Limited has used all reasonable care in compiling the information but make no warranty as to its accuracy.

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Triamterene : Caution should be used in patients 65 years or older taking triamterene. Spironolactone recall March 9, Restrictions and warnings vary by specific drug. The following lists cover general warnings and restrictions. Tell your doctor about all of your medical conditions and history, as well as all of the medications you take, including prescription drugs, over-the-counter medicines, and vitamins or supplements.

Standard measures of kidney function include estimated glomerular filtration rate eGFR , creatinine clearance CrCl , blood urea nitrogen BUN , and serum creatinine. Consult your healthcare provider regarding kidney function and potassium-sparing diuretics. Potassium-sparing diuretics should be used with caution if you:. Potassium-sparing diuretics can increase potassium levels.

This is called hyperkalemia. Hyperkalemia is more likely to occur in people with kidney problems, diabetes, and older adults or severely ill patients. Hyperkalemia is also more likely to occur when a potassium-sparing diuretic is taken with certain other medications such as ACE inhibitors or angiotensin receptor blockers.

Symptoms of hyperkalemia include a tingling sensation, muscle weakness, paralysis of the extremities, slow heart rate, shock, and in more severe cases, an abnormal EKG. B ecause untreated hyperkalemia can be fatal, potassium levels must be frequently monitored when taking a potassium-sparing diuretic, and also if the dose is changed or if there is an illness that can affect kidney function.

Do not use potassium supplements or salt substitutes that contain potassium without asking your doctor. Call your doctor right away or seek emergency medical attention if you experience dizziness, diarrhea, vomiting, irregular heartbeat, swelling of the lower extremities, or difficulty breathing. No, potassium-sparing diuretics are not controlled substances.

Common side effects of potassium-sparing diuretics include:. Serious side effects of potassium-sparing diuretics include some may be both common and serious :. Spironolactone is known to have more endocrine side effects such as breast pain, irregular menstrual cycles, and in men, swelling of breast tissue. Additional serious side effects of spironolactone include:. Additional serious side effects of triamterene:.

Report side effects to your doctor. This is not a complete list of side effects. Consult your healthcare professional for a full list of side effects. Potassium-sparing diuretics are all available in generic form.

This significantly reduces the cost, making this class of drugs very affordable. Contact your health insurance plan or Medicare prescription plan for up-to-date coverage information.